The Australian Qualifications Framework Council, which was responsible for governance of the Australian Qualifications Framework, has been disbanded. No public announcement was made.
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The council was originally established to deliver a review of the AQF, which culminated in the strengthened AQF. With this work completed, the government says it was timely to reconsider the role of the council.
Stakeholders have been advised that the decision does not diminish the government’s commitment to the AQF, the residual functions of the council will be transferred to the Commonwealth department of education. Expert consultative bodies are to convened as required to advise ministers on any AQF policy matters which arise.
During a revision of the AQF in 2010, the council was embroiled in a dispute with a number universities, led by the University of Melbourne, over plans for universities to rebadge some masters level courses as “professional doctorates”, such as the Juris Doctor, which they argued accorded with international practice. The AQFC argued it would devalue the standing of the traditional PhD qualification. It was eventually agreed that the title “doctor” by graduates of masters degrees, in five disciplines : medical practice, physiotherapy, dentistry, optometry and veterinary practice (although the Juris Doctor is now offered by most universities with post-graduate law degrees). The University of Western Australia is seeking extension of professional doctorate to its Masters of Podiatry.
How to become a government-certified, “nationally accredited”, financial adviser with a “diploma of financial planning”.
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Business reporter with The Australian Anthony Klan has apparently argued for some time that the entry barriers to the financial planning industry are lax to the point of barely existing. He says he’s been attacked by sections of the industry — in some cases with legal threats flying — for suggesting the nation’s financial planning education standards were sub-par. So he decided to test the issue: he signed up for a Diploma of Financial Planning, which is the requirement set by corporate watchdog the Australian Securities and Investments Commission for registration as a financial planner. This is his account of how he became a rigdy didge certified financial planner in 34 hours, with no exams, the course completed entirely online and “open-book” — and with no requirement for a high school certificate (or even a passing grade in primary school for that matter). And he didn’t cheat. The notional volume of learning in a diploma level qualificationis described by the AQF as being “typically” 1-2 years (that is, 600-1200 hours). It is expected that completion of a diploma level qualification will provide a graduate with depth of technical and theoretical knowledge and a range of necessary skills. This is reminiscent of The five minute university – except it’s no joke.
Anthony Klan, government-certified, ‘nationally accredited’, financial adviser. Source: TheAustralian
I Google financial planning education. I decide to give Integrity Education Group a miss — its website told me its Diploma of Financial planning “provides anyone” seeking to become an adviser with the necessary compliance “to beomce (sic) ASIC registered as an Authoprised (sic) Represetnative (sic)”.
Instead, I approach the Monarch Institute.
I’m told of the price of the diploma of financial planning The diploma cost $1425 (more than double, $2950, if you sign up to a handful of face-to-face workshops). The $1425 includes “both personal and general advice”, a distinction that has chewed up its fair share of parliamentary and media time this year.
For an extra $175 — and “an extra 30-40 minutes of reading time”, I am told by the education provider — I could also become a provider of self-managed superannuation fund advice.
I initially declined the SMSF component thinking I may be overreaching — I’m still not certain as to exactly how much work the planning course will take. Most of the websites I visit avoid the issue of completion time required, but most of those that do say the course should take between six and 12 months. One site that does mention time states: “Course Duration: 12 months (earlier completion is possible based on individual student capabilities)”.
It’s suggested by a Monarch Institute representative, via email, I should take up the SMSF offer.
“I want to let you know that the inclusion of the SMSF to your diploma of financial planning will only be an extra 5 units of competency that goes hand in hand with module 3 of superannuation, which is around 30-40 minutes of reading time,” the representative tells me.
The course reading materials come in four modules: foundations of financial planning; investments; superannuation & retire-ment planning (including SMSF); and insurance. I’m provided with an online assessment portal. My assessment is to comprise four sets of multiple choice questions (one for each module, with the number of questions ranging from 18 to 46) and a series of short-answer questions for each of the four modules.
I’m told all assessment is “open book”, there are no time limits. I can sit the assessment wherever I like. I can have three attempts at each of the multiple choice sets (with a pass mark of 70 per cent). If I require more attempts I can contact the institute.
I cut no corners; I diligently read all the materials, fill out the multiple choice questions and the short answer questions.
During 34 hours of work I complete all the requirements of the course. This did not occur in one sitting, it was several months between signing up for the course and submitting all my assessment materials. As a working journalist I had other duties and the prospect of taking a week’s annual leave to conduct the course was too grim.
But regardless, I keep records of all my time working on the course. A few part days here and there and the odd full day takes me to nine days reading the material and answering questions. In total, and conservatively, 34 hours’ work. Four full days.
(A well known and very well qualified Sydney financier is known for stating he could knock off the course in a “lunch time”. While he’s very much on the right track I challenge him to this, though I am unaware of the length of his lunches.)
I score between 90 per cent and 100 per cent for the four series of multiple choice tests and 100% (they are either pass or fail) for each of the four sets of short answer questions.
“Sensational! — You have shown an in-depth understanding of this material, and have achieved an excellent result,” I am told. To be fair, I hold a university degree in commerce and have been writing about financial matters for years, so I should score well. But regardless, anyone failing this diploma should not receive a licence to handle stationery, much less someone’s financial future.
THE NSW, Victorian and federal governments have spent millions of dollars of taxpayer funds training financial advisers to obtain diplomas, which in some cases can be completed with the equivalent of four days’ work.
The Diploma qualifies individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning.
Knowledge
Graduates of a Diploma will have technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts, with depth in some areas within a field of work and learning.
Skills
Graduates of a Diploma will have:
cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources
cognitive, technical and communication skills to analyse, plan, design and evaluate approaches to unpredictable problems and/or management requirements
specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives
communication skills to transfe knowledge and specialised skills to others and demonstrate understanding of knowledge.
Application of knowledge and skills
Graduates of a Diploma will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills:
with depth in some areas ofspecialisation, in known or changing contexts
to transfer and apply theoreticalconcepts and/or technical and/or creative skills in a range of situations
with personal responsibility andautonomy in performing complex technical operations with responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad parameters for quantity and quality
with initiative and judgement toorganise the work of self and others and plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of teams within broad but generally welldefined parameters.
Volume of learning
The volume of learning of a Diploma is typically 1 – 2 years.
There was speculation after the announcement of Tony Abbott’s ministry early in the week as to who would be handling VET matters within the education portfolio. The VET side of the tertiary sector has actually landed in the lap of former and once more industry minister Ian McFarlane, along with science and research. It’s a curious decision to separate the tertiary sector in that way, although not without precedent: VET was located in the business portfolio in Victoria in 2006 but reunited with education by the incoming Baillieu government in 2010….[ READ MORE]….
Does it matter that, for the first time, more of less, in over 80 years that Australia doesn’t have a specifically designated “minister for science”? Probably not a lot: the highest profile science minister in that whole time was former quiz master Barry Jones who, despite his cleverness and celebrity, had next to no clout in the Labor government of the 1980s/90s. He is perhaps best remembered for the “cadastre” – a spaghetti and meatballs depiction of the ”knowledge nation” he devised for Labor leader Kim Beazley in 1999, when Jones himself was no longer in Parliament. Rod Lamberts and Will J Grant argue that science certainly needs a strong advocate in cabinet, someone to stand up and argue in for long term strategic investment in our scientific capacity. Perhaps industry minister Ian McFarlane will prove such an advocate, perhaps he won’t. But we have to be careful of jumping to the conclusion that, just because there isn’t a minister with the word science in their title, science won’t be taken seriously … or will be taken any less seriously than it already was….[ READ MORE]….
La Trobe vice-chancellor John Dewar has warned that the university is overdue for a “root-and-branch” crackdown on costs, having systematically avoided addressing funding issues for the past 10-15 years. La Trobe is behind its growth target by about 1200 full-time students, amounting to a revenue shortfall of up to $25m by 2015 and an overall deficit of $65 m. There are fears that measures to address the deficit could cost upwards of 300 jobs….[ READ MORE ]….
The number of Victorian students enrolling in bachelor degrees at TAFEs instead of universities has more than doubled, from a low base, in the past five years, going from 640 enrolments in 2008 to 1520 in 2012. When associate degrees are counted, the figure more than doubles again to about 3500. The increase is a mostly Victorian phenomenon, with 44 of the 53 bachelor qualifications being delivered at TAFEs around Australia, being delivered in Victoria….[ READ MORE]….
The Victorian Auditor-General is set to investigate a $100,000 payment to Yarra Ranges Council over a potential conflict of interest. The government gave the money to the council so it could investigate and draw up a plan for the future use of the closed Swinburne University Lilydale campus…..[ READ MORE ]….
Students who take gap years are generally more successful in their university studies than mature aged students or students who enter university straight from high school, according to a University of Sydney study. The study tracked 904 Australian students, noting their high school achievements and whether or not they had deferred. The study found that gap years can help students gain skills, better grades and did not slow down their academic momentum……[ READ MORE ]….
Footscray would shed its battler image and transform into an edgy university town in a proposal from Victoria University (VU) and Maribyrnong City Council. VU and the council have signed a memorandum of understanding to build student accommodation and establish arts and sports precincts as part of a scheme to rejuvenate the suburb. The council has a “land bank” of nine car parks that could be redeveloped for the project…..[ READ MORE]….
The University of Canberra (UC) is opening up 40 hectares of its main campus in the Canberra suburb of Belconnen for development in the hope of generating $100 million in capital investment each year for the next decade. UC vice-chancellor Stephen Parker said potential development could range from residential ”alumni” villages, to health research and development bodies wanting to be in close proximity to the new UC hospital, government agencies, commercial organisations, technology parks, arts and culture complexes, sporting facilities and business incubators…..[ READ MORE]….
Former treasurer John Dawkins has queried conflict of interest claims after it emerged he would chair Vocation, a new education company reported to be worth $300 million, due to be listed on the stock exchange later this year. Dawkins, a treasurer and education minister in the Hawke and Keating governments, chairs the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) and the Australian Qualifications Framework Council. Dawkins says he has raised his possible involvement in the venture with the members of the NSSC so the council is aware of these developments. Dawkins says he has raised his possible involvement in the venture with the members of the NSSC and will write to the new minister about the compatibility of such a role with his continued involvement with the NSSC…..[ READ MORE]….
16 September 2013 | As widely expected, Christopher Pyne, the Liberals’ education spokesperson in opposition, is to be appointed education minister in the incoming Coalition government and presumably will take carriage for higher education as well as schools education. Sussan Leyis to be appointed the assistant minister for education and Scott Ryanis to be appointed parliamentary secretary to Pyne.
Maria Simpson has resigned after nearly two years as the chief executive of Bendigo TAFE, saying she plans to retire and spend time with her family.
She says there are still significant challenges facing the institution.
Last year, nearly 100 jobs were lost from the TAFE, courses were cut and the Kyneton campus was closed.
Ms Simpson says the shift to a more commercial focus still has some way to go and will be tough for the Bendigo TAFE board and her successor to manage.
I think the whole process of change will be one that has to occur relatively rapidly and will also be very challenging, and I don’t think that that will come to an end quickly. The planning and the implementation of plans once decided will be the challenges that they face.
We had probably been slow to make the shift to the commercial orientation that was required and therefore we probably felt the change a lot harder than many because we had to run very hard to catch up.
It is always very difficult to make decisions about people’s lives.
Today’s eccentric can become tomorrow’s Nobel Prize winner
With the Coalition government intending to redirect funding from so-called “ridiculous research“, it’s worth re-visiting this item from 30 April 2013 on the practical value of impractical research – and the contribution to the wellbeing of communities of research in the humanities and social sciences.
In one of its regular policy notes, the Group of Eight acknowledges the value of applied research, “the more tactical, short term research intended to realise already identified market and other opportunities”. It’s sometimes arguedthat, with pressures on public budgets, if governments invest specifically in research designed to produce immediately useful outcomes, it would ensure a higher return on government investment.
We witness the life enhancing outcomes of practically oriented research all the time (see Life changing research (1): Epilepsy and (2): Alzheimer’s). But such research often has its origins in “curiosity – led research”, extending over many years and which began with no specific outcome in view.
Moreover, the prospectivity of a research project to produce relatively short term applications can actually serve as an argument against substantial public funding for such a project.
… by definition, research is the process of discovering something we do not already know. The more definite we can be about the research outcome when we start the research, the more trivial the research and the weaker the arguments for government support. …it is not the role of government to fund or perform research that business needs for itself and which does not involve a significant risk.
Research is taking place in all Australian universities that has the power to save lives, boost economic development, create wealth, re-invent manufacturing and much, much more. Presented here are fifty examples of research outcomes generated by Australian Technology Network (ATN) member universities. They demonstrate the diversity of enquiry and the potential impact this work can have on both Australian society and indeed the world.
The Ig Nobel Prizes honour achievements that first make people laugh, and then make them think. The prizes are intended to celebrate the unusual, honour the imaginative — and spur people’s interest in science, medicine, and technology. This year’s recipients include researchers who won the psychology prize for confirming, by experiment, that people who think they are drunk also think they are attractive (in a published article Beauty is in the eye of the beer-holder). The biology prize went to a team, including Australians, for discovering that when dung beetles get lost, they can navigate their way home by looking at the Milky Way. The chemistry prize went to a Japanese team for discovering that the biochemical process by which onions make people cry is even more complicated than scientists previously realised. And this year’s peace prize was awarded to Alexander Lukashenko, president of Belarus, for making it illegal to applaud in public, AND to the Belarus State Police, for arresting a one-armed man for applauding.
South Australia has an interesting, sometimes paradoxical relationship with change. One the one hand very conservative, at the same time South Australian attracts national interest for innovative, progressive initiatives. The Thinkers in Residence Program (recently defunded) hosted Martin Seligman and Carla Rinaldi to challenge the state to reimagine and recreate their education system.
South Australia is now attracting attention with a grassroots movement that seeks to innovate from the edges of the education system.
CoCreate Education was founded by a group of educators and entrepreneurs on the premise that education is ripe for disruptive innovation. They claim that technology, social and scientific advancement are opening up new avenues for education to be more effective and more accessible.
Things that have more women in them than Tony Abbott’s cabinet
Women aren’t particularly well represented at the higher reaches of corporate governance in Australia, with just 16% of ASX listed companies being women. Even to meet that low threshold, the Coalition cabinet would need three women members but could only rustle up one. The Junkeewebsite published a small list, to put this in perspective:
The Afghan government cabinet (3 women ) – Zoo Weekly‘s staff meeting (3) – The Augusta Golf Club (2) – The Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia’s National Board Meeting (2) – The Supreme Court of the United States (3) – The Saudi Arabia Olympics Team (2) – Muammar Gaddafi’s personal guard (lots) – The Mad Men writers’ room (7) – Facebook’s board 0f directors (2) – The Iranian government cabinet (2) – Tony Abbott’s immediate family (4).
Former treasurer John Dawkins has queried conflict of interest claims after it emerged he would chair Vocation, a new education company reported to be worth $300 million, due to be listed on the stock exchange later this year.
Dawkins, a treasurer and education minister in the Hawke and Keating governments, chairs the National Skills Standards Council (NSSC) and the Australian Qualifications Framework Council.
The Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) has questioned Dawkins’ involvement in the company, with its CEO Claire Field stating:
It is an unusual set of circumstances where the chair of a government council responsible for setting the standards for providers . . . [has] at the same time been apparently involved in behind-the-scenes discussions about chairing the board of a new, very large $300 million provider.
Dawkins says he has raised his possible involvement in the venture with the members of the NSSC so the council is aware of these developments.
I am writing to the new minister … to advise of this possible development and seeking [their] opinion about the compatibility of such a role with my continued involvement with the NSSC. I will abide by any decision the minister makes.
Getting assessment right should be straightforward but with Industry Skills Councils constantly changing Training Package requirements and the regulatory standards in VET heavily focussed on the need for industry currency (with providers increasingly recruiting industry experts to train and assess for them) ACPET is proud to announce its independent industry assessment validation service to support RTOs to get assessment right.
Chris Robinson, ASQA Chief Commissioner, spoke recently at ACPET’s national conference and his presentation highlights an alarming number of non-compliances with the standards. Last year only 23.5% of providers were fully compliant the first time ASQA audited them. Sadly when that figure is unpacked it looks even worse in relation to assessment.
While the VET sector awaits details of the new Government’s skills policies and action plans, it is timely for ACPET to be shaping our longer-term policies on key issues facing the sector. One of the first areas under scrutiny by our policy team is that of the way forward for our nation&rsquo… Read more
The Higher Education Compliance & Quality Network (HECQN) will hold the 2013 HECQN FORUM ‘The Quirks of Compliance. The Quest for Quality’ in Melbourne on Monday 11 November 2013. The Forum brings together leading thinkers and commentators on compliance, quality and standards in the Aus… Read more
The National Broadband Network (NBN) aims to provide ubiquitous internet connectivity across Australia. This means that you can be running your business from your office, home or anywhere, allowing you that sea- or tree-change you have always dreamed of, as well as enabling you to expand your busin… Read more
International education is a rewarding sector in which to choose to work. This webinar aims to support newcomers to this sector by providing you initially with an understanding of the industry and its origins. In turn, the presenter will walk you through the sector’s current status as one of A… Read more
Gone are the days of delving into social media to keep up with the Joneses. Today, we need to plot out a strategic roadmap to help us get the real results we’re after. In this workshop, you will explore how others build their social media ‘fan’ base and how the right content strat… Read more
By popular demand and after a sell out in 2012, ACPET is pleased to repeat its successful National Workforce Development Fund (NWDF) webinar. Understand the in’s and out’s of the National NWDF including the intent, outcomes, contribution, application process and role of the Industry Ski… Read more
Driving change in Education – Business Leadership Executive Retreat ACPET invites you to be one of a select gathering of members to explore the big issues affecting you as an educational leader and your organisation in today’s competitive education landscape. In the heart of Sydney&rsquo… Read more
An analysis by the National Tertiary Education Union of the 2012 Annual reports of Australia’s 37 public universities shows that their vice -chancellors (VCs) were well financially rewarded for their efforts. In total the VCs received remuneration packages worth close to $30m. Only one V-C is paid less that the Prime Minister, with most getting considerably more…. [READ MORE] …..
A Victorian government-commissioned survey has found that employers are losing faith in the quality of training qualifications, adding more ammunition to ongoing criticism of the state’s open market for training subsidies that has led to a proliferation of private providers. The survey of about 140 Victorian employers, as part of an effort to assess their training information needs, found many would rather buy qualifications than trust the training system to improve staff skills…. [READ MORE] …..
Employers are blaming universities for their own shortcomings for not producing work-ready graduates ,according to Open Universities Australia CEO Paul Wappett . But this “lament” coincides with “an extraordinary decline in the willingness of corporations in particular, but also government and other institutions, to provide their employees with on-the-job training”. He said it was unrealistic for employers to expect the tertiary education sector to “supply them with people that they don’t need to put any training and development into.”…. [READ MORE] …..
Australian universities perform far below the world’s best in attracting research money from business, according to a new innovation index. The index, produced by Times Higher Education from its world university rankings data, says Australia places 15th in the world and is outranked by key Asian nations in the amount of research money its universities get from industry. South Korea and Singapore lead the table, with the average per annum gained from this source by academics worth $US97,900 ($A106,262) and $US84,500 respectively. China is in seventh and India in 10th place. In Australia, the $US25,600 figure means it is just behind the US with $US25,800…. [READ MORE] …..
The University of Canberra has scooped the pool of new projects aimed at supporting disadvantaged students – winning $2.4 million of $50 million in new federal funding. Higher Education Minister Kim Carr announced 17 successful projects under the latest round of the government’s Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) – three of which are based at the UC. The UC’s Stronger Smarter Schools Project received $755,000 to break down barriers to higher education for indigenous students and those from low SES backgrounds….. [READ MORE] …..
9 August 2013 | The proportion of school graduates enrolling in TAFE courses in Victoria has slumped to the lowest point in 10 years amid a sharp rise in the popularity of bachelor degrees. The removal of enrolment caps at universities has helped drive a marked increase in student numbers, prompting concerns that some students need more support to complete a degree. The latest On Track survey of Victorian school leavers revealed 53.2% of school leavers enrolled in university this year, compared with 42.6% of graduates from 2003. The proportion of school graduates enrolled in TAFE and vocational courses dropped from 25.8% to 15.8% in the same period…..[READ MORE]…..
9 August 2013 | The Australian National University has agreed to review its decision to cancel tutorials in its College of the Arts and Social Sciences CASS), following widespread opposition from undergraduates and postgraduates as well as the National Tertiary Education Union. Students within the college were informed last Wednesday (31 July) an executive decision had been made to phase out tutorials in favour of large interactive workshops and forums……[READ MORE]…..
Barney Glover to take over as V-C at University of Western Sydney
The University of Western Sydney’s has announced the appointment of Professor Barney Glover as it’s new Vice-Chancellor and President. Professor Glover, currently Vice-Chancellor of Charles Darwin University (CDU) in the Northern Territory, will formally commence at UWS on 1 January 2014 on the retirement of Professor Janice Reid. Professor Reid has been at the helm of one of Australia’s largest and fastest growing universities for almost sixteen years. A graduate of the University of Melbourne with a Diploma of Education, a Master of Science and PhD in Mathematics, Professor Glover is a noted and internationally recognised mathematician with expertise in applied mathematics and mathematics education.
Kangan appoints Grant Sutherland
Kangan Institute in outer Melbourne has announced the appointment of Grant Sutherland as its new chief executive officer. Mr Sutherland will succeed Richard Turnbull who has held the role of interim CEO since February. Mr Sutherland brings with him over 14 years of experience in the VET sector and is currently the CEO at The Gordon Institute. Previously, Grant had held the position of The Gordon’s deputy CEO and executive director for business development.
Anne Doolette retires from AQFC
Ann Doolette retired in July 2013 as inaugural Executive Director of the Office of the AQF Council. Ms Doolette assumed the position in May 2008 with the establishment of the AQF Council in Adelaide, specifically to provide leadership in strengthening the AQF and enhance its standing with education, industry and community stakeholders. During her term, the AQF underwent its first major revision since its establishment in1995. Her influence was international as well as national. With the AQF seen as the leading qualification framework globally, and as an acknowledged authority, Ms Doolette provided expert advice to a range of countries seeking advice on qualifications frameworks including USA and Hong Kong. Ms Doolette’s departure marks the close of a distinguished career in the tertiary sector which included lecturing in the management discipline, developing curriculum and leading tertiary education quality assurance and regulation in South Australia.
Current higher education minister Kim Carr was umming and aahing about the future of the uncapped, demand driven system ahead of the election but the politicians from the two major parties aren’t saying anything much now. You can bet that, come 8 September, however, whichever party wins government, in the context of a ballooning Budget deficit , reintroducing caps will be seen as a relatively savings “get” of perhaps $300 million a year. Andrew Norton of the Grattan Institute is mounting an almost single person rearguard fight in defence of the demand driven system, which he says is efficient, equitable and encouraging a more diverse and innovative sector. Dumping it would be a serious policy blunder.
The demand-driven higher education funding system is a bold public policy experiment. Yet at barely 18 months of age its existence is in question.Encouraged by university leaders, the government is considering re-controlling Commonwealth- supported student numbers.
This re-evaluation is not occurring because the demand-driven system is failing. Rather, it is too successful in its goal of increasing student numbers.
There are 150,000 more Commonwealth-supported student places (CSPs) this year than in 2007.
With expenditure on higher education rising while anticipated tax revenues fell, in April the government announced a $300 million a year cut in university funding. The Higher Education Minister, Kim Carr, has said he is willing to consider budget-neutral trade-offs.
Some university leaders suggest that the $300 million could be saved by reducing student numbers instead.
They want to protect per-student funding for the remaining students, and restore previous funding growth rates for other programs.
To achieve this, 25,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) student places would need to be abolished, given average public funding per Commonwealth- supported student.
It would be very difficult to cut expected growth by 25,000 places without ending the demand-driven system. Some universities could voluntarily reduce enrolments or curb growth, but the students they reject would find other universities willing to take them. In a flexible system, all universities need restrictions to limit total student numbers.
If CSPs were re-capped, the university applicants who miss out would pay the highest individual price. But there are less obvious costs to other students in going back to the old bureaucratic system of allocating student places.
Claiming that university classes have almost doubled in size, the National Tertiary Education Union (NTEU) began its Vote Smart advertising campaign on 12 August.
The TV advertisements call for a Green vote in the Senate and will air in Perth, Adelaide, northern Tasmania and regional Queensland – Rockhampton, Townsville and Cairns.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has announced Manufacturing Skills Plus, a $35 million initiative to provide 6,800 new training places to up-skill workers and help them make the transition to higher paying high tech manufacturing jobs…… [READ MORE] …..
Kevin Rudd has unveiled a $35 million plan to help young, disadvantaged job seekers become more employable. The Step into Skills program will help about 9,000 job seekers before they undertake vocational training….. [READ MORE] …..
The Greensare calling for the mining tax to be amended to give the TAFE system an extra $1.2 billion. Deputy Greens leader Adam Bandt says the Federal Government has forced TAFE to compete with private providers resulting in campus closures, rising fees and job losses. The rescue package would inject $400 million per year for TAFE starting from July 2014….. [READ MORE] …..
In addition to the three statements it has already released TDA has released Policy Position Papers on:
Maintaining a commitment to skills funding … highlighting the impact of cuts to apprenticeships and traineeships, and promoting strategies to meet the demand for a skilled workforce
TAFE Leadership in international education … removing unnecessary regulation and actively supporting TAFE’s extensive operations offshore.
Jesus was a Jew…got to stop the boats – somehow or other…News Corp’s wicked sense of humour….Coalition leads
The Daily Telegraph front page 8 August – subtle, eh?
10 August 2013 | In many respects, the first week of the 2013 Federal election campaign was more comedic than substantial.
There’s the (now former) One Nation candidatewho thinks that Islam is a country and that Judaism is some denomination of Christianity. She now resents being depicted as a “standup criminal” – we think she meant “standup comedian” although she is facing charges for sticking anti-Islam stickers on food products in a supermarket
Then there was the truly excruciating street interviewwith the Liberal candidate in the Western Sydney seat of Greenway who agreed that Liberal policy was to “stop the boats” and offered that the Libs have a “six point plan”. When pressed, he was unable to articulate the plan and was utterly skewered by the TV reporter. It was sort of cruel, really, but if you put yourself forward as a candidate for public office, you ought to be familiar with the platform on which you’re standing.
But you’ve got to give the prize to News Corporation’s Daily Telegraph for its hysterical anti-Labor coverage (one hesitates to call it “reporting”), which makes the Pyongyang Times look balanced. Fairfax Media observed that maybe this has something to do with News Corporation’s commercial interests, with the NBN initiative representing a threat to News Corp’s pay TV outlet Skytel. This was strenuously denied by News Corp and led to an all out assault on Fairfax media, including an editorial in The Australian, the “serious” newspaper in the News Corp stable…..
When the political parties will not talk about the substance of higher education and research, we depend on civil society, the media, the public in all its forms, and the institutions of higher education and research themselves, to define and advance the issues.
This book is designed to stimulate and contribute to such a process of discussion.
This Fulbright Scholarship is for employees within the vocational education and training sector or training leaders in business and industry. It is not for university academics that study VET as an academic discipline. Applications close 14 August 2013.
ACPET’s national conference is the largest gathering of private and not-for-profit educators and trainers in Australia and provides an opportunity for networking and professional development.
This is Campus Review’s own summary of lead items in its online edition. As Campus Review is a subscription service, you or your organisation need to have a subscription to Campus Review to view the full article. All non subscribers to Campus Review can have access to a free online trial offer provides free online access to the website for 28 days.
There has still been no major research into the long-term economic contributions made to Australia by Chinese students.
The economic potential of Australia’s large network of Chinese alumni has been overlooked, despite evidence of ongoing returns, years after they graduate from our universities, new research suggests.
Victoria University researcher Jo Pyke, who led the Chinese alumni survey, said although we are beginning to experience the short-term benefits of international education for tourism, any long-term contribution from international alumni has not been considered.
Pyke says Australia is lagging behind other countries, and that US universities have up to 500 staff working in the alumni area.
“The same level of investment hasn’t been made by Australian universities who are only really just starting to see the value of strong alumni networks,” Pyke said.
In China alone, it’s estimated that there are 150,000-plus alumni that Australian universities have yet to reconnect with.
The research identified several barriers to travel including cost, inconvenience of flights and difficulties in obtaining a visa, especially for family and friends.
The report recommends policies designed to treat alumni as having “special status”, such as providing them with easier, longer-term, multi-entry visas, may be an important investment in longer-term engagement.
Pyke said we should be targeting the best and brightest with migration paths to become permanent residents and citizens, and that the government should ensure better coordination between tourism and education sectors through a cross-sectional committee or taskforce approach.
The survey revealed that 64% of alumni returned to Australia in the past five years. A further 93 per cent of alumni surveyed said they intend to travel to Australia at least once in the next five years.
The hunt for funds
Universities need to speed up the search for alternative sources of finance. By Louis White.
The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education’s 2011 finance report revealed that revenue for Australian universities totalled $23.658 billion, of which $13.3 billion (56% ) came from the Commonwealth (including research funds).
A further $5.45 billion (23%) derived from fees and charges, three-quarters of which was from overseas students. Investment income was the next largest category, accounting for 3.6% in 2011, while the remaining 17% came from a wide range of sources each with their own characteristic features in terms of fundraising.
The pressure to raise external funds is increasing with the likelihood that federal government funding, no matter which political party wins in September, will either stagnate or face heavy cuts.
All universities across Australia are now focusing heavily on external fundraising and restructuring administration to better coordinate efforts and to make it a priority.
Onwards and upwards for TEQSA
The agency aims for a flexible approach to allow providers to adapt and thrive in response to changes in the higher education market. By Carol Nicoll.
Qualifications lack credibility
The length of study required for qualifications varies hugely – and AQF guidelines are being ignored. By Felicity Dunn.
Macro view is needed in analysis
Policymakers need to consider how much value TAFEs add to industry. according to VET specialist John Mitchell.
Five case studies of TAFE institutes prepared by Mitchell for TAFE Directors Australia show how effectively TAFEs are in working with industry clients.
Each of the resulting five case studies shows how TAFE training meets one or more of these business and government goals ‒ increased productivity including global competitiveness, flexible workforces, highly qualified staff building careers, skills for the new economy and regional growth.
The second edition of the Australian Qualifications Framework, published in January, incorporates changes approved by the AQF Council to the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma and the changed regulatory arrangements for the AQF.
It also includes changes to the AQF Qualifications Issuance Policy and the AQF Qualifications Pathways Policy and corrections to minor editorial errors or omissions. Changes are set out HERE.
