Last Thursday I was very pleased to join colleagues from South Metro TAFE WA, TAFE NSW, TAFE Queensland, TAFE SA and Victorian TAFEs at the launch of the National Maritime Skills Network at Port Melbourne. Congratulations to Industry Skills Australia for leading the way and connecting the main players of this crucial Australian industry.
The maritime industry is vital for Australia’s sovereign capability and security. It is responsible for moving most Australian goods by both value and volume around the world. Those in this industry need deep skills and capabilities to ensure the industry is vibrant and sustainable. However, the cost of training to achieve these outcomes is exceedingly high.
As the Jobs and Skills Council, Industry Skills Australia has worked closely with key industry players to find solutions. This has included Maritime Industry Australia Ltd, the peak body of employers. It has also included the three unions that cover officers, maritime workers and engineers. All were present at the launch by the Hon Andrew Giles MP, Minister for Skills and Training on Thursday.
Given the technicality of the training and the requirement to have expensive infrastructure, of the four foundation training partner members, three of them are TAFEs. These TAFEs are located from Freemantle in the West, to the Great Barrier Reef in the far North, to the Hunter region on the mid East Coast. The TAFEs are acutely aware that finding solutions together is a most effective strategy for the future.
This new network aims “to build dynamic communities of practice focused on collaboration, innovation, and excellence in teaching, learning and assessment” (National Maritime Skills Network Ministerial Launch). At the launch the TAFEs were already discussing how they will build learning resources together and potentially offer exchange opportunities for both students and teachers.
The National Maritime Skills Network is a great example of how by working together new solutions can be found to meet the supply of skilled workers for vital Australian industries. Congratulations to all involved.
A new qualification – the Vocational Degree – has been endorsed by all skills and education ministers and is now part of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
The Vocational Degree, which will sit alongside the Bachelor Degree at AQF Level 7, is a nationally recognised qualification which focuses on advanced skill attainment, and the application of specialised knowledge and technical skills.
The Vocational Degree is now available for TAFEs and Jobs and Skills Councils to incorporate into their qualification toolkit to help address education and training gaps for industry.
The Vocational Degree specifications are available on the AQF website.
The development of the Vocational Degree goes back to the release of the Employment White Paper in September 2023, when the federal government committed to increasing the use of apprenticeships for higher level qualifications and occupations.
Part of the commitment was the creation of a new bachelor degree equivalent training pathway for VET.
This is a significant change to Australia’s tertiary education framework and allows the VET sector to design and deliver its own degree-level qualifications which can be declared as apprenticeships.
It means that industry and the VET sector are more empowered to help meet workforce challenges where jobs are increasingly requiring advanced levels of technical knowledge and skills, particularly in key areas such as the net zero transformation, the care and support economy, and advanced digitalisation.
Vocational Degrees will be regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
The UN Women theme of International Women’s Day (IWD) 2025 is March Forward for all Women and Girls.
This year’s theme commemorates thirty years since the world committed to gender equality through the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
Although we are making progress, we are not yet where we need to be.
In this TAFETalks event we will discuss ways in which TAFE and industry can help to progress equality in Australia and worldwide. We will hear from a panel of inspiring women to learn about the challenges they have faced and how they have overcome them.
We will also discuss the positive changes that they have seen, the factors that enable gender parity, and what still needs to be done to #MarchForward.
Rebekah Gleeson-Cherry is fulfilling a dream of giving back to Barcaldine’s elderly generation after completing a Certificate III in Individual Support through Fee-Free TAFE at CQUniversity.
The 23-year-old completed the course and is now employed by the Barcaldine Commonwealth Home Support Program (Home and Community Care) through Barcaldine Hospital.
“I have always wanted to work in the home and community and aged care industry, as I have a love of helping people,” she said.
TDA Associate Member, the VET Development Centre (VDC) is excited to bring the 2025 VET AI Symposium, to be held Tuesday 18 March in-person at VDC in Melbourne and online nationally via Zoom. This leading event aims to bring together industry leaders, educators, executives, and AI experts, featuring three streams on Teaching Practice, Managing AI Integration, and Leading AI in TAFE and Registered Training Organisations.
The VET AI Symposium will feature a series of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive workshops led by renowned experts in the field. Industry experts from TAFE SA, William Angliss Institute and South Metropolitan TAFE will be joined by national and international speakers.
Register now to secure your spot and lead the way in educational innovation.
The Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee has recommended that the Senate pass laws that would provide ongoing financial support to the states and territories to deliver free TAFE.
The committee report, released last Thursday, found there was broad support for free TAFE among the submissions, as a means of removing financial barriers for students and targeting priority skills.
“Overall, the committee believes that by removing financial barriers, the bill will empower individuals from diverse backgrounds to pursue vocational pathways, contributing to Australia’s economic resilience and social inclusion,” the majority report said.
“During the inquiry, the committee heard strong support for the program, with significant support for embedding Free TAFE as an enduring feature of the VET system.
“Indeed, many participants argued that the bill would ensure an integrated approach to the national VET system, including recognising the critical role of states and territories in addressing skills shortages,” the report said.
The two Coalition members on the committee issued a minority report opposing the fee TAFE bill.
Join us for an insightful webinar in which we will explore how generative AI and cutting edge tools such as H5P are transforming education content strategies, while emphasising the importance of ethical innovation in content creation. This session will be particularly valuable for TAFE educational developers, learning and teaching managers and leaders.
In this session we will be joined by Tony Maguire, Regional Director, D2L, Sam Crowe Senior Advisor Educator Capability, TAFE Queensland and Vasi Doncheva, Manager Learning Design & Technologies at Chisholm Institute. They will share practical insights, real-world examples, and actionable strategies for leveraging AI to amplify learning experiences, enhance student engagement, and ensure responsible use in educational settings. Whether you are exploring AI-driven solutions or looking to refine your content strategy, this webinar will equip you with the tools and knowledge to lead with confidence and integrity in the evolving landscape of education.
The Minister for Education Jason Clare has announced the team that will lead the development of the Australian Tertiary Education Commission (ATEC) if Labor is returned at the upcoming federal election.
Mr Clare said that the interim Chief Commissioner will be Professor Mary O’Kane, who will be supported by Jobs and Skills Australia Commissioner, Barney Glover and Distinguished Professor Larissa Behrendt.
“If we win the election, I will introduce legislation in the second half of this year to formally establish the ATEC and I want it fully operational by this time next year,” Mr Clare told the Universities Australia summit last week.
The three-person team will establish ATEC on an interim basis from July, should Labor be in government.
All three were panel members on the Universities Accord which recommended the establishment of ATEC.
“I am getting the band back together,” Mr Clare said.
“The people who wrote the Accord will help to make it real.”
The federal Coalition will not go ahead with ATEC if it wins the election.
Skills Insight says that after careful consideration and discussions with the Board, Michael Hartman has decided to step down from his role as Chief Executive Officer.
After 24 years of service as a CEO supporting industry engagement in the VET sector, Michael remains committed to the Jobs and Skills Council program but has decided that the demands of a CEO role are no longer consistent with his other objectives in life.
Skills Insight will commence the search for a new CEO in April with an appointment targeted for the start of the financial year.
Skills Insight Chair, Todd Loydell said Michael’s commitment to Skills Insight’s mission and vision has been unwavering, and his contributions will be deeply missed by all.
On behalf of all TDA members, thank you Michael for your exceptional leadership. We will miss your deep insights and practical approach. You have always been a tremendous advocate for how the various players in the sector should contribute, acknowledging their expertise and strengths. Best wishes for what lies ahead.
Australia’s universities have pleaded with the government and policymakers to for the same advantages that are afforded TAFE and the VET sector.
In an address to the National Press Club last Wednesday, Universities Australia CEO Luke Sheehy said that universities needed to be placed at the forefront of the country’s skills challenge.
“Fee-free TAFE and programs to increase apprenticeships are worthy initiatives. Vocational education and the jobs that flow from it are vital to our economy and to our future,” Mr Sheehy said.
“But our universities must receive equal attention and equal support. I don’t think this is necessarily the case right now.”
He said it meant putting universities at the centre of Australia’s response to the skills challenge.
The Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) 2025 is now accepting proposals, and vocational education providers are strongly encouraged to submit.
With this year’s theme, “Navigating Change,” the conference will explore how international education is evolving and how we can lead through transformation.
Proposals close on 14 March, so don’t miss out – help to make sure the VET sector is well-represented in this year’s program.
TAFETalks: The #POWEROFTAFE and Industry to March Forward towards gender parity
5 March 2025, 2.00-3.00pm AEDT
Register here
2025 VET AI Symposium
18 March 2025
VET Development Centre Melbourne and online
More information
TAFETalks: GenAI for ethical content and strategy at scale
19 March 2025, 2-3pm AEDT
Register here
AVETRA Conference 2025
2-4 April 2025
Melbourne
More information
9th Research Conference of the International Network for Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP)
8-9 May 2025
University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, England
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National Apprentice Employment Network 2025 National Conference
11-13 June 2025
Sofitel, Brisbane
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WorldSkills Australia National Championships and Skills Showcase
12-14 June 2025
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
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Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2025 Skills Conference
24 June 2025
Amora Hotel, Sydney
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Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2025
Navigating Authentic Assessment and Learning in a Digital World
25-26 June 2025
University of Sydney
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34th National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Research Conference ‘No Frills’
9-11 July 2025 (Abstract submissions due by 7 March 2025)
Gold Coast
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VET National Teaching & Learning Conference
14-15 August 2025
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
Save the date
National Skills Week
‘Explore All the Options’
25-31 August 2025
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Impact ATEM 2025
Association for Tertiary Education Management annual conference
7-10 October 2025
Australian National University, Canberra.
More information
Velg Training National VET Conference
30-31 October 2025
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
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TDA Convention 2026
SAVE the DATE
5-7 May 2026
Brisbane
48th WorldSkills International Competition Shanghai
22-27 September 2026
More information
2026 WFCP World Congress
23-28 November 2026
Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya
Save the date
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