Victoria to target training quality and international students – Minister Steve Herbert delivers Mick Young Oration
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| Minister Steve Herbert delivers the Mick Young Oration. |
Victoria will shortly embark on a new risk-based approach to quality in the vocational education (VET) system, and will seek to position TAFEs as magnets for more international students.
Delivering the 2015 Mick Young Oration in Melbourne last Thursday, the Minister for Training and Skills, Steve Herbert, said he would soon be acting on the Deloitte review of quality assurance in the state’s training system.
“The Review analysed existing processes and procedures and will shortly be recommending a new, risk based, best practice framework,” the Minister said.
“We will not tolerate low quality training in this state”.
Mr Herbert also told guests at the Kangan Institute’s Automotive Centre of Excellence at Docklands that he wanted to see TAFEs as “go-to places for international students”.
“I think we need to strengthen TAFEs’ capacity to engage further in the international student market,” he said.
“The Mick Young Scholarships are about giving people a chance at education, the Minister said.
“I would like to thank the Young Family, the National Scholarships Trust and the TAFE Directors Association for their success in expanding them to so many people.
“The trust ensures all its scholarships are backed by industry, so students get training that leads to jobs, and businesses get the workers they need,” he said.
See the Minister’s media release.
TAFE claws back training share in South Australia
TAFE SA will provide the majority of the new subsidised training places under the South Australian government’s WorkReady plan to operate from July.
Under the reforms, announced by Higher Education and Skills Minister Gail Gago, approximately 81,000 training places will be subsidised in 2015-16.
While this is approximately the same number of places as in the previous year, the number of courses has been cut from more than 900 to about 700.
Of the 81,000 training places, 51,000 will be new and 30,000 will comprise students already undertaking courses.
TAFE SA will provide 46,000 of the 51,000 new places. Of the 30,000 continuing places, about 16,000 will be delivered by private providers.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), called on the federal government to withdraw $65 million in federal training funds to the state over the decision to “effectively ignore private training providers”.
See the Minister’s media release.
See the list of subsidised training places.
Queensland to repeal laws for TAFE asset sell-off
The Queensland government has introduced a Bill to repeal the former government’s plan to sell TAFE assets and lease them out to third parties.
The Minister for Training and Skills, Yvette D’Ath last week introduced the Bill to repeal the Queensland Training Assets Management Authority Act 2014.
“QTAMA was created by those opposite to enable the sell-off of Queensland’s training assets to the highest bidder and removing access of TAFE to its own premises, its own equipment and leasing it out directly to the competitors of TAFE,” the Minister said.
“We opposed this act when it was introduced last year, and we made it very clear that we would repeal it as soon as the opportunity arose,” Ms D’Ath said.
See the Minister’s speech to the Parliament.
Australia’s ‘Skillaroos’ team announced
WorldSkills Australia has announced the names of the 25 Skillaroos that will represent Australia at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Brazil, 11-16 August.
The WorldSkills Competition will see 59 countries represented by 1,176 experts and over 1,200 competitors competing in 50 skill categories.
The Skillaroos will continue their training regimes over the coming months before they head to Brazil in August.
See the Skillaroos team.
TasTAFE enters agreement on new university campus
TasTAFE has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Tasmanian government, Launceston City Council and the University of Tasmania (UTAS) as part of a plan for the university’s new Launceston campus.
Premier Will Hodgman said, if realised, the plan will allow for more course offerings, increased enrolments and a greater collaboration with TasTAFE.
As part of the MoU, the government will consider changing the requirements of the land where the university is situated at Newnham, to open it to development and investment.
“This will unlock the prime parcel of land to the potential for tens of millions in housing development, investment and a construction boom,” the Premier said.
The MoU is the result of collaboration between the government, UTAS, TasTAFE and the Launceston City Council, and will be financially supported through a $60 million Northern Cities Major Development initiative.
New executive team named at NCVER
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has announced a new executive team.
Ms Jodieann Dawe will be the National Manager of Research and Business Development, while Dr Mette Creaser will be National Manager of Statistics and Analytics.
Ms Dawe’s previous roles include CEO of Water Research Australia and Manager of Research Operations at Meat and Livestock Australia.
The Managing Director of NCVER Dr Craig Fowler said Dr Creaser was an internal appointment, having managed the National Surveys Branch since 2008. She came to NCVER from the Australian Bureau of Statistics where she held a variety of roles, including Director of Environment Statistics.
“She has a very strong technical ability and contributed to the development and implementation of many of NCVER’s advanced tools for producing complex summative statistics,” Dr Fowler said.
EduTECH, Brisbane, 2-3 June
Did you know that EduTECH is the only event that brings together the entire education and training sector from every state in Australia, plus New Zealand, Asia and internationally?
It is made up of one large central exhibition and eight different congresses as well as post-event masterclasses. That is why you should attend.
EduTECH will be at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, 2-3 June.
TDA is a proud supporting body of EduTECH, and invites you to come along for the VET Leaders Congress, specifically designed for leaders and managers from RTOs, institutes and continued learning organisations.
Click here for the VET brochure, or go to www.edutech.net.au for further details.
Otherwise, visit the EduTECH exhibition for FREE. It features:
- Free on floor seminars
- Teachmeets
- Makerspace Lounge – Meet Gary Stager & Super Awesome Sylvia
- Free networking drinks
- Chance to Win A Car!
- Meet over 200+ exhibitors
Register here for the free expo or one of the congresses. You can also email at or call 02 8908 8555.
William Angliss apprentice wins UK scholarship
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| Apprentice Sam Smith with chef Ian Curley. |
William Angliss Institute third year apprentice chef Sam Smith has won a scholarship for international work experience at Fergus Henderson’s St John Restaurant in London.
Sam was selected by Ian Curley, head chef at The European in Melbourne, and an ambassador for the scholarship program.
Finalists were interviewed and required to cook for a day with Ian at his iconic Spring Street kitchen.
Sam is currently completing his apprenticeship at the RACV Club restaurant.
The scholarship is provided by the William Angliss Institute Foundation which provides educational opportunities and financial assistance to support disadvantaged students in achieving their career ambitions.
Diary Dates
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
24th National VET Research 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: Click here for more information.
2015 ACODE Learning Technologies Leadership Institute
DATE: 17-21 August 2015
LOCATION: Mantra at Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland
DETAILS: More information
TAFE Managers Association 2015
DATE: 21 August 2015
LOCATION: Luna Park, Sydney
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.
TDA National Conference
DATE: 9-11 September 2015
LOCATION: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart
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.