COAG lays groundwork for Commonwealth takeover of VET
Federal and state leaders have agreed to consider a proposal to shift responsibility for vocational education and training (VET) from the states to the Commonwealth.
Last week’s COAG leaders retreat in Sydney, comprising the Prime Minister, state premiers and chief ministers issued a Communiqué outlining plans to consider a historic change in VET governance.
“Leaders agreed to consider a shift in responsibility for VET to the Commonwealth provided States and Territories could elect to remain TAFE providers within a national system,” the Communiqué said.
At a news conference, South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill said: “We’ve talked about a national approach to vocational education and training, which is a massive change.
“If we can achieve that and give people the skills they need to participate in the new economy, we’ll have done a massive thing for the people of our nation,” he said.
The premiers of Western Australia and Victoria have been tasked with bringing VET reform proposals to the next COAG meeting before the end of the year.
Apprentice completions edge lower
The proportion of trade and non-trade apprentices and trainees completing their training decreased slightly in 2014, down from 53.5% to 52.4%, according to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
Contract completion rates for trade apprentices and trainees who started training in 2010 declined to 46% down from the 2009 completion rate of 47.9%.
Similarly, contract completion rates for non-trade apprentices and trainees who started training in 2010 declined slightly to 55.8%, from the 2009 completion rate of 56.2%. For non-trade apprentices and trainees who started in 2011, the completion rate is 56%.
“We know that historically about a third of all apprentices and trainees leave within the first year of starting their training, and our research shows that the most commonly cited reason for not completing an apprenticeship or traineeship is employment-related, such as not liking the work or not getting along with colleagues or employers”, said Dr Mette Creaser, National Manager, Statistics and Analytics, NCVER.
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Business leaders to share their expertise at the TDA national conference
What does it mean in practice to conduct a forensic risk analysis of an organisation’s business model?
What strategies can business use to increase staff capability?
Why would employers want to dine at the TAFE table?
These are just some of the questions that that our conference presenters will tackle at the 2015 national TAFE Directors Australia conference at the Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, 10-11 September, with pre-conference workshops on 9 September.
The theme of the conference is Inspire.
We are delighted with the stellar line up of business experts including Kate Carnell, CEO of ACCI, Mark Ryan, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Tassal Group Limited Tasmania, Diane Tompson, Managing Director, The Powercom Group, Tasmania, Chris Oldfield, Chief Executive Officer Tasmanian Irrigation, Sara Caplan, Partner PwC, and Paul Roberts Thompson, Managing Director, Van Diemen Quality Bulbs.
Is your organisation doing business in China?
Tasmania’s friendship with China and networking opportunities will be strengthened, with 60 Chinese delegates coming to the Sino-Australian VET Forum, run in conjunction with the TDA conference.
For more information please visit www.tda.edu.au
Bill Swetman to head Durack Institute of Technology
The West Australian government has appointed Bill Swetman as the new managing director of the Durack Institute of Technology.
Training and Workforce Development Minister Liza Harvey said Mr Swetman had a distinguished career in the training sector and would bring a wealth of knowledge and ability to the position.
“Mr Swetman has a strong track record in training and I look forward to seeing the impact he has on the Durack Institute of Technology in his new role,” Mrs Harvey said.
The minister said Bill Swetman had been working in the training sector for decades starting out his career as lecturer in charge at the institute formally known as West Pilbara College of TAFE.
Trifecta for Angliss apprentice chefs
Apprentice chefs at Angliss Institute have had great success at recent industry competitions – the 2015 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award, the 2015 VICTAFE Cookery challenge and the 2015 Thierry Marx career development award competition.
William Angliss Institute Manager Centre for Food Trades and Culinary Arts Mark Agius said he was proud of all the apprentices who had participated in these competitions, including those who had won.
“These competitions are a very important part of training in the industry. It is great to see industry supporting these students and investing in their development.
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Golden hat winners – Press club executive chef Luke Croston (left)with Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award Victorian winners Aimee Cahill and Emma Kaye with George Calombaris.
Victorian international education awards open
The Victorian government has opened nominations for the prestigious Victorian International Education Awards.
The awards recognise innovative education institutions, companies and service providers, as well as the exceptional accomplishments of international students.
For the first time, the awards will feature the ‘Victorian Student of the Year -Internationalisation’ category, highlighting local Victorian students who have actively supported the engagement of international students with the broader Victorian community.
The winner will receive a prize of $5,000 towards their studies and $5,000 towards a practical idea to further foster connections between the domestic and international student communities.
International Student Award winners will receive a scholarship of $10,000 to contribute to their study at an educational institution in Victoria.
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Diary Dates
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.
National Skills Week
DATE: 24-30 August 2015
DETAILS: More information.
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.
2015 Australasian Genomic Technologies Association (AGTA) Conference
DATE: 11 – 14 October 2015
LOCATION: Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley, NSW.
DETAILS: More information.
2015 AUSTAFE National Conference
Bringing TAFE and VET to the Nation’s Capital
DATE: 28 – 30 October 2015
LOCATION: Canberra
DETAILS: Contact National President