More apprentices start training Commencements of trade and non-trade apprentices increased in the September quarter, according to early trend estimates from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). Trade apprentice commencements rose from 22,700 in the June quarter to a new high of 27,200 in the September quarter. Non-trade commencements have increased in the last two quarters, from 33,700 in the March quarter to 43,600 in the September quarter. This follows a period of decline in the preceding four quarters. Warning to international students The NSW Government and the education sector have issued a warning to international students over the activities of … [Read more...]
Why a minimum ATAR would improve efficiency and equity
17/10/2013 by
18 October 2013 In this excerpt from a presentation just before the election, Mike Gallagher (executive director , Group of Eight universities), makes the case for a “re-calibration” of the demand driven system, by the imposition of a minimum ATAR for university entry. He argues that the G08’s proposal for a minimum ATAR of 60 (now apparently in public abeyance) was never an argument for reintroducing caps but would actually improve both equity and efficiency in the higher education system by directing academically underprepared students into pathways programs which would ultimately increase the chances of such students successfully completing bachelor degree programs. Such … [Read more...]
ACPET National Monday Update 12 August 2013
12/08/2013 by
Week one.... So, we’re one week into the Federal election campaign and what is there to discuss for the tertiary education sector? Not much. The ALP announced Step into Skills a $35 million investment in approximately 9,000 young people to help them make a successful transition from school to VET. Media reports note that the funds will mostly be allocated to TAFE, which is disappointing if correct, as skills reforms in Victoria and South Australia show that offering young people a choice of training provider sees them benefit from opportunities at both TAFE and private providers. Disappointingly on Sunday afternoon the ALP’s website had not been updated with details of the policy … [Read more...]
ACPET’s policy statement
06/08/2013 by
6 August 2013 ACPET's election statements for the international, VET and higher education sectors spell out the contributions made by private providers and the urgent need for a level playing field between university providers and non-university providers. ACPET's higher education election statement Allow students to access a Commonwealth Supported Place at any registered higher education provider. Under current arrangements, students are effectively being penalised because their preferred choice of course or provider happens to be a non-university higher education institution. Remove unnecessary and burdensome regulation – “earned autonomy” should be granted for all providers … [Read more...]
The Scan Early Edition 6 August 2013
06/08/2013 by
# 132 _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Report recommends reducing regulatory burden 5 August 2013 | On the cusp of going into caretaker mode, pending the election, the Commonwealth government has released the report of a review examining how red tape can be reduced for universities while also supporting the quality and excellence of Australia's world class university system. Releasing the report, minister for higher education Kim Carr noted that while the report supports the continuing role of the national regulator - the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards … [Read more...]
Time to burst the uni-centric bubble
06/08/2013 by
Claire Field, CEO of the private provider peak organisation, and Martin Riordan, CEO of the public TAFE peak organisation, form a unity ticket to argue the case for less "uni-centric" higher education policies and regulatory practices. They might not have been too thrilled with the recommendations of the review of red tape, which imply that higher education providers with well established records of quality provision might have a lighter touch regulatory regime than other providers. You would read this as meaning "universities" - and not all universities at that. This article was first published in The Australian on 3 August 2013. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . … [Read more...]
ACPET National Monday Update 5 August 2013
05/08/2013 by
ASQA fees and apprenticeship reforms: "recalibrate & refocus" – rubbish! Late on Friday the government announced the latest of its ‘reforms’ to “recalibrate and refocus” the Australian apprenticeship system. What this means, without the spin, is a cut of $240 million to the apprenticeship and traineeship system. As I write this article the Prime Minister has just called the Federal election for 7 September, making it harder for the sector to get traction on overturning these devastating changes - but making it more important than ever that members engage, engage, engage with their local Federal representatives. Please therefore take the time to read on ...... Read … [Read more...]
