ACPET National Monday Update 22 December 2014

Another year – another reform, A message from the Chair – Edition 585, 22 Dec

I would like to comment on where our industry finds itself at the end of another year.

This wonderfully diverse sector that we work in continues to perform, making real differences to the lives of Australians and our international guests.

Despite this, the year has also produced many challenges. Media scrutiny of apparent unscrupulous operators has been a feature. We all know this is but a minor element of the sectors, not that some commentators have reported that.  A tremendous advantage about an education marketplace, or any market for that matter, is that they produce innovation and diversity. That is a true positive. Workplace training, on-line programs and even MOOCs themselves all have their origins in competition. Yes markets also can produce what could be perceived as perverse outcomes, which must be dealt with strongly by regulators. By way of example, the private sector is often damned for using IPads and the like as incentives to enrol. I read with interest this week an advertisement from TAFE encouraging me to enrol before Christmas for a chance to win an IPad or $5000! Interestingly I don’t recall reading any damning editorial about this.

The Australian Government is obviously very active in resetting the base of both higher education and VET. The Higher Education reforms, Free Trade Agreements are at the fore, together with proposed changes to Streamlined Visa Processing, Apprenticeships Support, Training Packages, Industry Skills Councils and the list goes on. No wonder we all feel a little fatigued…. Read more

A Smart and Skilled Christmas present Edition 585, 22 Dec

NSW Education Minister Adrian Piccoli has announced that the NSW government will invest an additional $57 million to provide training for at least 16,000 more students in 2015. ACPET congratulates the government on this decision. Funds will be allocated to increase small regional caps for entitleme… Read more

Save the Date – ACPET 2015 National Conference and APIEF – 26-28 August 2015 Edition 585, 22 Dec

Please mark your calendars now for The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) 2015 National Conference and Asia Pacific International Education Forum (APIEF) – Inspiring Ideas, Building a better private education and training sector through innovation, diversity and quality…. Read more

Synopsis of the Budget Edition 585, 22 Dec

Below is a précis of savings and expenditure measures relevant to the Education, Employment and Training world announced yesterday in the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook. In brief, the Support for Adult Apprentices payment has been wound up, with loans being offered through the Trade S… Read more

USI open for business Edition 585, 22 Dec

ACPET spreading the USI message … Unique Student Identifer (USI) requirements will come into force from 1st January 2015 and are required for every student undertaking nationally recognised training in 2015 and beyond. Some tools to assist you are available online: Webtiles for your website… Read more

New Australian Government higher education site launched Edition 585, 22 Dec

The Government has plans to make our higher education system even better, opening up more pathways, providing more support and offering students more choice. As such, a new Australian Government higher education website has been launched. For more information, refer http://www.highered.gov.au…. Read more

Industry engagement in Training Package Development Discussion Paper Edition 585, 22 Dec

The Department of Industry (the Department) has developed a discussion paper to encourage feedback on contestable approaches to VET training packages. To assist the Department in compiling and analysing the views of all stakeholders, RTOs are encouraged to provide feedback via the Consultation Hub…. Read more

VET Reform – National Consultations Edition 585, 22 Dec

The Department of Industry, VET Reform Taskforce is undertaking a round of national face-to-face consultations in every capital city throughout January and February 2015. The consultations sessions will be chaired by a member of the Vocational Education and Training Advisory Board. To coincide with… Read more