From Broadcast to Me-Cast, Lessons for Micro-Credentials from TDA CEO Craig Robertson

Micro-credentials appear to be the new black in learning, here in Australia and around the world. Colleges and Institutes Canada has released a national framework for micro-credentials. Here in Australia, the former minister for education, Dan Tehan announced the micro-credentials marketplace and the review of the Australia Qualifications Framework also made recommendations about micro-credentials. The review of senior secondary pathways also recommended they be considered in senior schooling. There’s been little policy action since. What do we mean by micro-credentials? Craig Robertson explores this question for the Career Development Association of Australia (CDAA).

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is proud to present…TAFETalks

On behalf of TAFEs around Australia, TDA is excited to be launching TAFETalks. TAFETalks provide a virtual platform for TAFE staff and other interested VET stakeholders to come together, to share, learn and create connections across institutes and states and territories on current issues and priorities. Join TDA CEO, Craig Robertson in conversation with the National Skills Commissioner, Adam Boyton at 12:00 AEST on 15 April 2021 for a look at the year ahead. Registration is essential.

#POWEROFTAFE – The COVID Story, a new publication from TAFE Directors Australia (TDA)

Australian TAFEs have shown their responsiveness, resilience and innovation during the global COVID-19 pandemic, a new publication from TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) shows. TDA surveyed TAFEs in the latter half of the year to understand their journey through COVID-19. The result is The Power of TAFE: The COVID Story which describes the rapid and structured transformation that TAFEs underwent during 2020 in response to COVID-19. It documents the approaches adopted by TAFEs – how students coped and how staff adapted. The scale of the digital transformation was unprecedented.

‘Cyber Security – It’s Everyone’s Business’: WFCP webinar to launch the new Cyber Security Affinity Group

The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) will be hosting a webinar on Cyber Security to launch their new Cyber Security Affinity Group on Tuesday 8 December, 2020 at 4.00pm (Canberra/Melbourne/Sydney time). Anyone interested in this topic should take advantage of this free webinar bringing together experts in this field to discuss industry challenges, cyber education, how collaboration between industry and education can address cyber workforce challenges and why the subject of cyber security is an issue that concerns us all. Registration (free of charge) is required.

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.