National student survey presented to Senate Inquiry into higher education legislation
The preliminary findings of an ongoing national survey of higher education students at 23 of Australia’s 58 TAFEs shows they value ‘work-ready’ industry skills, and the ‘practical’ approach to teaching, as part of their studying at TAFE instead of university.
The TDA-commissioned survey was presented to the Senate Education and Employment Committee last week as part of its review into the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill (2014).
TDA CEO Martin Riordan and Director, Technical and Tertiary Education, Melinda Waters, appeared before the Senate Committee in Canberra on Wednesday.
Higher education courses are offered across 23 TAFEs with over 120 courses including five Masters programs.
The national survey showed the views of students about their decisions to study at TAFE, rather than university, and supported TDA’s case for equitable funding for these students.
See the TDA submission to the Senate Education and Employment Committee inquiry into the Higher Education and Research Reform Amendment Bill 2014.
See an article in The Australian.
Regulator given extra $68 million to enforce new training standards
The national training regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA), has received allocations of an extra $68 million over four years to implement new VET Standards for Providers to take effect early next year as well as to introduce a new professional development program.
Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane said the new VET Standards are designed to maintain quality while also removing excessive paperwork and red tape.
“This is the first time ASQA has been properly funded to focus its attention on serious breaches of standards, after being forced to act as a book-keeper under the previous Labor Government,” the Minister said.
“There will be no letup in quality standards under the Government’s reforms and no tolerance of unscrupulous activities, in particular from brokers.”
ASQA will host a series of information session around Australia to explain the new standards which take effect from 1 January 2015 for prospective training providers and 1 April 2015 for existing providers.
See more.
$45 million boost for Chisholm Institute
The Victorian government has announced a $45.5 million redevelopment of Chisholm Institute’s Frankston Campus.
Premier Denis Napthine said the funding would enable the creation of a new Advanced Manufacturing and Trades facility and a new Centre for Health and Community Services.
“The new facilities at Chisholm are strategically located, with 60 per cent of Victoria’s automotive supply chain companies located in Melbourne’s south-eastern suburbs,” Dr Napthine said.
“This project will enable Chisholm institute to cater for automotive workers who want to transition to new jobs in the advanced manufacturing and trades industries”.
See more.
Queensland government extends training subsidies
The Queensland government has added 38 qualifications and skill sets to those that will be subsidised under the state’s training guarantee.
The Minister for Education, Training and Employment John-Paul Langbroek said the government would fund 11 additional qualifications under the Certificate 3 Guarantee, and 19 qualifications and eight skill sets funded under the Higher Level Skills Program.
It covers areas including engineering, health, hospitality, mining, tourism, transport, utilities and agriculture.
Ministerial Industry Commission Chair Saxon Rice said the Commission held a number of regional forums to gain a better understanding of the state’s skilling and funding priorities.
The qualifications will begin to be subsidised immediately, while subsidies for skill sets become available from next January.
See more.
TAFE shines at Victorian Training Awards
Twenty-one year old Swinburne Certificate III Engineering student, Melinda Lethbridge (pictured) has won the Apprentice of the Year at the Victorian Training Awards.
Melinda completed her Certificate III in Engineering Mechanical Trade at Swinburne’s Croydon campus in Melbourne, and now works as a fitter and machinist at Hargo Engineering, based in Croydon.
Ms Lethbridge’s fascination with how things work and her hands-on approach to life is what led her to a career in fitting and machining.
“I began my apprenticeship the day after my final VCE exam. I’ve always been fascinated with how things work and found that an apprenticeship in Fitting and Machining provided a good balance between mental challenges and hands-on work,” Ms Lethbridge said.
Ms Lethbridge is a Young Industry ambassador. This year she placed first in the regional finals of WorldSkills Australia, and was awarded the title of Swinburne Apprentice of the Year in 2011 and 2013.
Other Victorian Award winners from TAFE Institutes were:
- Large Victorian Provider of the Year – Chisholm Institute
- School-based Apprentice of the Year – Caitlin Maher from GOTAFE
- VET Teacher of the Year – Julie Wray-McCann, from Bendigo Kangan Institute
- Koorie Student of the Year – Miranda Borlini from GOTAFE
- VET Client Service Award – Bendigo Kangan Institute
See all the results.
TLISC award winner strikes success at Victorian Training Awards
Bendigo-based transport company Power’s Country Express was named Victorian Small Employer of the Year at the 2014 Victorian Training Awards.
The firm places a high priority on nationally recognised qualification in transport and logistics.
“We offer all eligible staff a Certificate III in Road Transport and at the very minimum staff are delivered five core modules including Fatigue Management, Chain of Responsibility and Dangerous Goods Awareness,” said CEO, Damien Power.
The CEO of the Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council, Robert Adams, said the company was a great example to other employers – measurable returns on their decision to use VET qualifications to skill their workforce.
The firm will compete against other state finalists at the Australian Training Awards which will be held in Adelaide on 21 November.
See more.
OctoberVET 2014 – research seminars by AVETRA
AVETRA Research Network will stage a series of seminars and discussion forums this week.
The topics include:
- The Variety of VET: Research into policy and practice for schools, training providers and workplace
- Research & Evaluation in Vocational Education: The role of evidence/Engaging & Supporting Distance-based Learners in the Workplace
- What is happening in VET research?
- Engaging adolescents in Education: A gathering of minds and experiences
- Building research capacity and culture in VET
- Reflective practice in VET – why bother? How does it enhance business?
- Exploring the relationships between the ACE and VET sectors
See more.
Diary Dates
Austrade
Transnational Education Roadshows
DATE: Sydney & Melbourne (13 October), Perth (16 October)
LOCATION: Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Australasian Genomic Technologies Association (AGTA)
2014 Conference
DATE: 12-15 October 2014
LOCATION: Crown Promenade Melbourne
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Group Training Australia
2014 National Conference
DATE: 12-14 November 2014
LOCATION: Grand Chancellor Hotel, Hobart
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Government Skills Australia
2014 National Conference
DATE: 17-18 November 2014
LOCATION: Adelaide Oval
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
2014 B/HERT Awards
Business Higher Education Round Table
DATE: 20 November 2014
LOCATION: Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Australian Training Awards
DATE: 21 November 2014
LOCATION: Adelaide convention Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
EduTECH
National Congress & Expo
DATE: 2 & 3 June 2015
LOCATION: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.