Tafe Directors Australia spacer TAFE Directors Australia

Newsletter: January 2006


TDA welcomes new Minister, the Honourable Julie Bishop MP
 
The TAFE sector welcomes the appointment of the Honourable Julie Bishop MP, as the new Minister for Education, Science and Training.
 
Welcome Minister -- we look forward working with you..!

Appointment of new Executive Director

Martin Riordan has been appointed as the new Executive Director, effective as of 6 January 2006. He replaces Margaret Fanning who has retired after five years with TAFE Directors Australia. See Media Release (December 2005) [PDF PDF 16kb][RTF RTF 98kb] and Campus Review (January 2006) [PDF PDF 196kb][RTF RTF 17kb].

Since his appointment several new initiatives have been announced including:
  • launching a TAFE Australia National Convention in Adelaide in November 2006
  • focussing TDA resources on the Skilling Australia legislative outcomes project, with detailed programmes to align with TAFE Institute industry and community partners
  • participation in the National Quality Council
  • proposed involvement as the peak TAFE sector body for strategic Action Groups under the National Training Framework

New Standards Code after ESOS Act
 
DEST has released its 2nd discussion paper on a proposed new VTE Provider Code under the ESOS Act. TDA representatives Judith Vincent (NSW DET) and David Endean (Homesglen, Vic) recommended that following the tight 21-day response period to the 2nd draft paper (feedback to DEST due 10 February 2006 COB) direct TAFE sector consultations should take place.
 
DEST has responsed with the following table as a guide to its consultation process:
Future consultation Indicative Dates
PhillipsKPA to consult peak bodies on complete National Code Monday 13 March – Friday 24 March
Exposure draft of National Code released for public comment Likely to be released in early to mid April for a period of three weeks
Information sessions for industry Likely to occur in the first week that the exposure draft is released
Gazettal of revised National Code Late June / July

For copies of the draft DEST discussion paper, please email Peter Robinson at Peter@tda.edu.au.

New TAFE – DEST dialogue sessions

New TAFE – DEST dialogue sessions were established in January. TDA executives Martin Riordan, Barry Peddle (Chair) and Bruce Mackenzie (Deputy Chair) met in Melbourne with Jim Davidson, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Education, Science and Training to review progress on the National Training Framework, and key issues approaching the sector in 2006.

Out and About – Melbourne meeting with Jim Davidson, Deputy Secretary, DEST

TAFE-DEST meeting

L to R – Incoming Executive Director Martin Riordan meeting with Jim Davidson, DEST,
with TDA Chair Barry Peddle, and Deputy chair Bruce Mackenzie