Newsletter: 16 July 2007

• 2007 TAFE DIRECTORS AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONVENTION
• 2007 TAFE IN RURAL AND ISOLATED COMUNITIES CONFERENCE
• 2008 WORLD CONGRESS ANNOUNCEMENT
• INTERNATIONAL VET STUDENT NUMBERS GROWING
• TDA MANAGEMENT
• DIARY DATES

2007 TAFE DIRECTORS AUSTRALIA NATIONAL CONVENTION

This year, the TAFE Directors Australia National Convention is themed Reframe – Refresh – Fresh Start.

The Convention will provide a forum for a number of high-profile speakers from business, industry and government to explore a new understanding of the growing and changing role of TAFE.

The convention will focus on seven key strategies including: collaboration with industry partners change management international growth branding university/TAFE collaboration financial management ethical behaviour and cultural change

Participating Key speakers from industry and business include:

• Sharan Burrow, President, ACTU
• David Hind, President, Business Higher Education Round Table
• Ric Brazzale, Executive Director Australian Business Council for Sustainable Energy
• Dr Michael Keating AC, Chairman, Independent Pricing & Regulatory Tribunal NSW
• Peter Cudlipp, Director of Communication Services, Growth Solutions Group
• Dale Renner, Brand Services, Growth Solutions Group
• Larry Kamener, Senior Partner, The Boston Consulting Group
• Chris Gilbert, Director, CRI Australia Pty Ltd
• Angus Graham, Director of Investor Sales-Markets, ANZ Bank
• John Vines, CEO, Association of Professional Engineers, Scientists & Managers, Australia
• Adam Furphy, Managing Director, J Furphy & Sons Pty Ltd
• Alan Tidswell, Human Resources Manager, OneSteel
• Lloyd Downey, National Manager of Education Arts & Business Services, Austrade
• Patrick McKendry, Executive Director, National Retail Association.

An initiative of the Convention is a business and tertiary roundtable whichwill be themed: ‘Reframe, Refresh, Fresh Start – perspectives of TAFE’. Participants include Ric Brazzale, Sharan Burrow, David Hind and Dr Michael Keating AC.

[Return to Top]

2007 TAFE IN RURAL AND ISOLATED COMUNITIES CONFERENCE

The 2007 TAFE in Rural and Isolated Communities Conference titled: ‘Regional Based Enterprise Learning & Long Distance Relationships’ will be held at the Hotel Grand Chancellor in Launceston, 22-24 August 2007.

Keynote speakers include Mark Cully, General Manager of the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research, and Mark Simpson, Chair of Pilbara TAFE and General Manager of Pilbara Iron. 

[Return to Top]

2008 WORLD CONGRESS ANNOUNCEMENT

The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics are calling for proposals and registrations for its 2008 World Congress titled: ‘Developing global partnerships’.

[Return to Top]

INTERNATIONAL VET STUDENT NUMBERS GROWING

Last week TDA was contacted by the Australian Financial Review in response to Australia Education International statistics just released which show that the number of students in VET are growing at a faster pace than in universities.

The statistics show that for the period Jan - May 2007 university enrolments were up 3% while VET enrolments were up 40%. The Australian Financial Review wanted to find out: Why is this happening? What makes VET so attractive to international students?

TDA provided the following response:

There is no doubt that there has been significant growth in the number of international students in TAFE. In some TAFE institutes and courses, the demand for places in exceeds the supply (eg: Holmesglen Institute of TAFE).

The increased enrolments of international students in TAFE courses reflects the recognition of Australia's vocational training and education programs and institutes among regional countries, as has been the case with university enrolments.

The enrolments are across the board - from the trades areas to courses such as hospitality, commercial cooking, hairdressing, automotive, boat-building, interpreting and child care.

[Return to Top]

TDA MANAGEMENT

TDA would like to thank Pam Caven, Director Stakeholder Engagement, TDA, for recently taking on the role of Acting CEO. Martin Riordan, CEO, will be returning from leave today.

[Return to Top]

DIARY DATES

NATIONAL RURAL EDUCATION ROUNDTABLE

DATES:     23-24 July
LOCATION: Victoria Room, Hilton International, Victoria Square, Adelaide
DETAILS: Rural Education Forum Australia – website

[Return to Top]