Apprentice trade support loans reach 20,000
The number of trade support loans is growing, with 20,000 applications received under the program.
The Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the milestone shows the importance of the Trade Support Loans Programme in giving apprentices the best possible chance of completing their trade qualification.
The Trade Support Loans Programme began in July 2014, replacing the Tools for your Trade program which provided up to $5,500 in direct payments over the course of an apprenticeship.
TAFE shines at transport and logistics national awards
TAFE Institutes and students received some of the top honours at the national Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) awards for excellence in Melbourne.
TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute (SWSi) won the award for Innovation & Excellence in Workforce Development (Logistics and Warehousing) for its innovative partnerships with the industry, together with its quality teaching.
TAFE Western NSW shared the Chairman’s Award for its program of road transport training for inmates in corrective service institutions in central western NSW.
Trainee of the Year was Illawarra TAFE student, Billie-Jean Raahauge, a highly skilled and promising marine operator employed on the Bateman’s Bay ferry.
Highly Commended in Trainee of the Year was Ryan Spong, from the NSW Water Police, who undertook his training at Hunter TAFE.
Other winners included the Queensland Department of Education and Training, SRT Logistics, Airservices Australia, Rio Tinto Iron Ore Railways Division, Australian Reef Pilots, Patrick Terminals & Logistics, and Australian Maritime College.
See all the award winners.
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| TLISC Deputy Chair, Jon Northorpe with SWSi’s Terry Saunby, Olivia Milligan and Ed Tarabey. | TLISC CEO Robert Adams with Billie-Jean Raahauge and Colin Triton from TAFE Illawarra. |
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| TLISC Chair Laurie D’Apice with TAFE Western’s Ray Driscoll and Neil Milton. | TLISC CEO Robert Adams with Ryan Spong who studied at Hunter TAFE. |
Bendigo Kangan TAFE researcher wins $6,000 scholarship
Peter Hurley from Bendigo Kangan TAFE has been awarded the 2015 TDA/AVETRA Innovation Scholarship for his proposed research into ways of making TAFE more relevant to the unemployed.
The $6,000 scholarship will support research to help identify successful models for TAFE in better engaging the unemployed and linking them to training.
Mr Hurley, who works in Employment Services at Bendigo Kangan TAFE, there has often been difficulty for TAFE in adjusting its programs to meet the needs of unemployed people.
Victorian Skills Minister Steve Herbert to deliver Mick Young Oration
Victoria’s Minister for Training and Skills Steve (pictured) will deliver the 2015 Mick Young Oration in Melbourne in May.
The oration will be held Thursday 21 May from 5.15 to 7.30 pm at Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence at Docklands.
The annual event is held in memory of the former Labor minister, Mick Young, whose legacy includes the Mick Young Scholarships.
The oration is always a thought-provoking event, and an opportunity to reflect on the role of TAFE and the training system.
An official invitation will be included in next week’s newsletter, but you can reserve a place now by emailing or calling (02) 9217 4348. There is no charge for attending.
Skills adviser network tender opens
The federal government has opened the tender for a new national network of skills advisers.
The Industry Skills Fund (ISF) Skills Adviser Network will work with small to medium business to help identify skills to boost workforce capability and productivity.
The Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham said it could include the identification of skills gaps to position businesses to diversify into new markets, adopt new technologies, enter export markets and create more jobs.
The Skills Adviser Tender is part of the government’s $476 million Industry Skills Fund. The tender will close 23 April.
See more.
Diary Dates
Group Training Association of NSW & ACT
The future of work: Rethinking employment, training and skills in NSW and ACT
DATE: 7 May 2015
LOCATION: Amora Hotel, Sydney
DETAILS: More information.
Global Concepts Symposium
Centre for Excellence & LH Martin Institute
DATE: 27 May 2015
LOCATION: Perth, Western Australia
DETAILS: More information coming soon.
EduTECH
National Congress & Expo
DATE: 2 & 3 June 2015
LOCATION: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
NSW ITABS
Navigating the new world: New challenges = New Opportunities
DATE: 4 June 2015
LOCATION: Sofitel Wentworth Hotel, Sydney
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
Western Sydney Careers Expo
DATE: 18-21 June 2015
LOCATION: Showground, Sydney Olympic Park
DETAILS: Click here for more information.
NCVER
‘No Frills’ conference
DATE: 6-8 July 2015
LOCATION: University of Western Sydney
DETAILS: More information.
Victorian TAFE Association
2015 State Conference – Leading Transformational Change
DATE: 16-17 July 2015
LOCATION: RACV Club, Melbourne
DETAILS: More information coming soon.
VET Development Centre
Teaching and Learning Conference
DATE: 3-4 September 2015
LOCATION: RACV Torquay Resort, Victoria
DETAILS: More information.
National VET Conference
Velg Training
DATE: 17-18 September 2015
LOCATION: Adelaide Convention Centre
DETAILS: More information.
Australian International Education Conference 2015
International education: global, responsible, sustainable
DATE: 6 – 9 October 2015
LOCATION: Adelaide Convention Centre
DETAILS: More information.