Nationals plan for regional tertiary education and training

02/09/2013 by
Nationals

National Party   |   29 August 2013 Higher education Initiatives proposed by the Nationals  "to encourage and support universities to deliver services in regional communities" include : provision of financial resources though a Faculty of Excellence Program  to allow regional universities to focus on particular areas of excellence ; support for the establishment of a new Murray-Darling Medical School (presumably at Charles Sturt University); a new Regional Education Fund aiming to ensure that the key issues of equity and access to educational opportunities for regional students are addressed; a new Tertiary Access Allowance, which will be available for students for whom public … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Coalition policies, Higher education policy, Regional, TAFE, VET, Vocational education & training Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

Rudd threatens the states with TAFE takeover

02/09/2013 by

The Australian    |    2 September 2013 Kevin Rudd has deepened a dispute over technical education by threatening a federal takeover of the TAFE system amid concerns about a funding regime to begin next year.  The move starts a new fight with the states after similar rows on healthcare and school funding but also raises the prospect of redrafting a landmark deal with the states that is barely one year old. Rudd vowed to bypass state governments and give federal funding directly to TAFE colleges if the states cut their own spending on the sector, but he did not promise any extra funding. Former prime minister Julia Gillard signed agreements with the states last year promising … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ALP policies, Budget, TAFE, VET, Vocational education & training Tagged With: , , ,

ACPET National Monday Update 2 September 2013

02/09/2013 by

In Focus A disappointing announcement On Sunday the Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd launched the Labor Party’s campaign for re-election. Despite the initial hype that the speech was focussed on apprenticeships and skills – in fact there were very few positive announcements. One of the key announcements was a possible Federal takeover of TAFE... Read more Featured ACPET Awards for Excellence Winners ACPET’s National Conference in Adelaide ended with a great night at the Conference dinner, which featured the second annual ACPET Awards for Excellence. ACPET would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists of these prestigious Awards. The Awards … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ACPET, ALP policies, International, TAFE, VET, Vocational education & training Tagged With: , , , ,

ALP proposes bypassing states on TAFE funding

02/09/2013 by

2 September  2013 The ALP has made jobs and training the focus of its policy statement for the 2013 election. Apprentices would get a boost to the Tools for Your Trade cash payment, from $5,500 to $6,000, as against the Coalition’s commitment to a $20,000 HECS-style loan scheme. The Coalition says that its loans scheme will be on top of the current grants scheme but that would seem unlikely – we’ll just have to wait for the Coalition’s costings statement. Kevin Rudd has also pledged to change the law to ensure that any major projects, including mines, ports and roads worth more than $300 million, must adopt Australian Industry Participation Plans. He said this measure is … [Read more...]

Filed Under: ACPET, ALP, ALP policies, Budget, Commonwealth policies, TAFE, Uncategorized, VET, Vocational education & training Tagged With: , , , , ,