How applied research can support Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery

Applied Research. You hear it talked about often enough in circles of learned individuals. But what does it actually mean? Who does it and why? And why does Australia need it now more than ever for its post-COVID economic recovery? TDA has teamed up with Cisco-Optus to produce SMEs and TAFEs Collaborating through Applied Research for Growth to answer these questions.

Cooperation between Australian TAFEs and Indonesia: Free webinars on skills development in tourism and creative industries sector post-COVID

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is hosting two webinars showcasing Australian-Indonesian collaboration on skills development in the tourism and hospitality sector and in the creative industries sector.
Each webinar will include two case studies of existing collaborations and will also explore new areas of cooperation between Australian and Indonesian institutions in view of the challenges posed to these sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The webinars will be of interest to public and private training providers, industry representatives, Indonesian Government representatives, bilateral and multilateral organisations and anyone interested in TVET and skills development in tourism, hospitality and the creative industries in Indonesia.
Further information including the links for registration is provided below.

Proposed amendments to the ESOS Act – what will they mean in practice?

International students wanting to take up work opportunities often need formal training of some form which falls outside of the primary course they are enrolled in and it risks contravening existing obligations under the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act). The Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE) is proposing amendments so students can take up these supplementary courses by changing the current regulation. It sounds sensible, however, could there be flow-on implications for providers and students? TDA supports the intent of the proposed amendments but also highlights some potential unintended risks.

TDA submission on impact of Foreign Relations Bill on TAFEs

The Australian Government has introduced legislation that would require all arrangements between state and territory governments and their entities, and foreign governments and their entities to be approved by the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs. The Bill is yet to be considered by the Senate. TDA has provided a submission to the Senate Committee Inquiry highlighting the impacts that this legislation may have on TAFEs.

TAFEs launch the National Enrolled Nursing Advisory Council

TDA is pleased to announce the establishment of the National Enrolled Nursing Advisory Council (NENAC). The council brings together experts in education and training for enrolled nursing from across Australian TAFEs to better represent and advocate for enrolled nursing education.

Happy skills week – comment by TDA CEO Craig Robertson

This week we shine the light on all things good about vocational education and training as part of National Skills Week being run by the newly established National Careers Institute (NCI).

As if the NCI did not have an important job already, the roadblocks in Australians’ passage into work and journey into a fulfilling career caused by COVID-19, heightens their task.

TAFEs should anchor the economic recovery, Centre for Future Work says

The Centre for Future Work’s report ‘An Investment in Productivity and Inclusion’ presents up-to-date analysis on the extensive economic benefits of the TAFE system to Australia’s economy.
The report found that Australia’s historic investments in quality TAFE education supports a combined and ongoing flow of total economic benefits worth $92.5 billion to the Australian economy in 2019 — 16 times greater than the annual ‘maintenance’ costs Australia currently reinvests in the TAFE system.

National TAFE Day

TDA CEO Craig Robertson reflects on the TAFE learning community for National TAFE Day.

Newsletter – Right of Reply

TDA has received a request for a right of reply to the weekly column from CEO Craig Robertson. This past week we received comments on Craig’s column of 3 August which called for recognition of institutional capability that underpins quality. See the response

A conservative’s view backs further education – a message for Australia

The headland speech by England’s conservative Minister for Education, The Rt Hon Gavin Williamson CBE MP, is inspiring as he sets out how further education will level up the nation. ‘Education is a keystone of our society and it’s one we can be very proud of’ he says and then lays out a plan for vocational education through Further Education Colleges, the TAFE equivalent in England.