Newsletter

One of the most popular words of the last few weeks has been ‘roadmap’.

‘The establishment of Industry Clusters will enhance the role of industry in the national training system with a broader role and greater accountability to industry,’ so writes the Transition Advisory Group (TAG) in its recent advice to Government. Who is the TAG and what will the proposed Industry Clusters do that is different to now?

One week into my interim role as CEO of TDA, I have participated in a lot of briefings and consultation discussions, mainly led by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE). Indeed, I thought I knew much of the agenda, but it seems I didn’t have the full grasp of everything that is happening. So, today for the benefit of all TAFEs, I thought I would summarise the main components, acknowledging that this does not fully encompass all that is on the agenda.

Last week was an incredible week. I would like to begin this week’s newsletter by congratulating everyone on such a wonderfully successful National Skills Week and the outstanding launch of the WorldSkills Australia National Championships – our Olympics of trades.

The VET sector’s key role in addressing the country’s skills shortage has been highlighted by National Skills Commissioner Adam Boyton who has identified the growing demand for technical and trades workers and the looming need for tens of thousands of entrants to health and care roles.

Most of you will have now heard the news that TDA’s Chief Executive Officer Craig Robertson has stepped down from TDA. After more than four years leading TDA, Craig has left TDA in order to take up the appointment of the inaugural Chief Executive Officer of the Victorian Skills Authority (VSA). Craig will take up his position with the VSA on 23 August.

Opposite the permanent site of the Australian Embassy in Washington DC is a statue of General Winfield Scott astride his horse high on a plinth surveying the passing traffic. As an American Civil War hero Scott is revered but the statue is not.

Reservations held about the Tokyo Olympics are fading in the glory of Australian gold, silver, bronze and personal bests.

An article in the weekend papers grabbed my attention. It’s a debate about falling education standards in schools and featured Alan Tudge, the federal minister for Education.

If a plane left Canberra for Perth by the most direct route but was off direction by just one degree, it would miss the airport by 51 kilometres.

With apologies to Banjo and the riders of the Snowy Mountains

For someone who has spent half of his life learning or teaching bible stories the one of the Tower of Babel was particularly curious. From Genesis, it tells of the Babylonians building a tower to the sky to reach for their God and, possibly more pointedly, to demonstrate their closeness to God to ward off enemies.

Sumber energi masa depan yang membantu Australia bergerak ke nol emisi bersih juga menceritakan kisah tentang peran penting TAFE dalam transformasi teknologi.