ACPET National Monday Update 16 February 2015

In Focus

One can only watch the comings and goings of the Senate and wonder

One can only watch the comings and goings of the Senate and wonder.

The Higher Education Reform agenda continues at a merry pace. We have spent a lot of time in the last week engaging in the debate. Our arguments for reform remain the need to address the inequity for students at non-university providers, but also the need to grow participation and quality programs. Our providers can play an enormous role in the future of higher education in Australia.

Let’s hope we get that opportunity.

To help please talk to your students. We need each and every one of them to understand that they will get decreased fees as a result of the reforms. If they understand this, please encourage them to sign our e-petition.

In VET land, well what can I say?

I remember a former Prime Minister coining the phrase ‘Life wasn’t meant to be easy.’ I can only imagine he was thinking about VET.

The importance of the sector can never be overstated. Skills shortages will again become the topic of conversation and we know they will largely be VET related skills. Yet despite this, a minority appears to be doing their best to bring the sector to its knees.

I should say public providers are our partners in the sector. Both public and private providers have strengths, but they also both have weaknesses. Both private RTOs and TAFE know this so they have been silent in the debate.

However, unfortunately that does not stop the commentary. Media and now the Greens continue to cite the flawed AEU report on the private sector, plus any other story they can drum up. I can only assume they haven’t read the report or Fact Checked it. The inappropriate use of single pieces of data is not defensible.

I continue to see the report used in editorials on the private sector, without any comment from ACPET. I can only wonder why!… Read more

National

	Support student choice- Higher Education Petition Edition 591, 16 Feb The Federal Government’s higher education reforms look set to be put to the Senate again in the coming weeks. ACPET has developed an online petition highlighting the need for the reforms, without which students studying at private higher education providers remain disadvantaged. We aim to… Read more
	ACPET member only professional development offer! Edition 591, 16 Feb Exclusive for ACPET members, for the one-off price of $800 (exc GST), 10 of your staff may access all ACPET webinars from now until the end of June 2015, and also request recordings for those you have missed during the second half of 2014. Please contact Dylan Wolfgramm for further details of this… Read more
	Foundation Skills for RTOs: free professional development in 2015 Edition 591, 16 Feb Do I really understand the ACSF and CSfW frameworks? How do I apply them in my role? How do I help others in my RTO to apply them? RTO staff come from a wide range of industry backgrounds with varying levels of foundation skills knowledge. The Foundation Skills Frameworks provide common tools… Read more
	This week in National professional development Edition 591, 16 Feb This week in professional development, we have a range of webinars from compliance and the new standards through to e-learning. Check out what’s in store for the week: Retention of assessments – Smart solutions for busy RTO Administrators Developing a digital strategy focused on convertin… Read more
	TEQSA 2015 Provider Information Request Edition 591, 16 Feb TEQSA would like to give higher education providers early notification of its intention to adjust timings for TEQSA’s Provider Information Request in 2015. TEQSA is planning for the 2015 PIR collection to commence on 1 July 2015 with a two month lodgement period ending on 31 August 2015. Brin… Read more
	National Skills Week Edition 591, 16 Feb National Skills Week 2015: August 24 – 30 Now in its fifth year, National Skills Week recognises, celebrates and informs students and the wider public on the diversity and benefits of undertaking Vocational Education and Training. This year’s theme will bring into focus the skills need… Read more