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National TAFE Network passes the first hurdle – comment by CEO, Jenny Dodd
The National TAFE Network is a reality. The Multilateral Agreement has the first five signatories, being the Commonwealth of Australia, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and

Time for TAFE ‘research-in-action’ to be recognised – comment by TDA Director Policy and Governance, Dr Teressa Schmidt
This week I attended the AVETRA 2025 conference to participate in a panel discussion on the rise of applied research in TAFE.

TAFE’s role in tackling productivity improvement – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
During the last week there has been much discussion about productivity. This is not an Australian phenomenon alone; every OECD country has had a decline

The pending election – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
Tomorrow evening Dr Jim Chalmers, the Treasurer of Australia will deliver the final budget of this term of government. It will be interesting to see

The vexed issue of recognition of prior learning in apprenticeships – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
In the recently released Strategic Review of the Australian Apprenticeship Incentive Scheme – Skills for tomorrow: shaping the future of apprenticeships, recommendation 6.1 highlights the need

TAFE is envied by colleagues for first time in thirty years – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
My colleague Luke Sheehy, the CEO of Universities Australia, delivered a National Press Club speech on the last Wednesday in February. This was part of

TAFEs join with industry to deliver training through network solutions – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
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

Preparing for the new Standards – comment by TDA’s Director, Policy and Governance, Dr Teressa Schmidt
The Revised Standards for RTOs are expected to come into full regulatory effect from July 2025. While there are some iterative changes to the Standards and

If parity between the sectors is a goal, are all decisions leading to that? – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
The recent decision, as reported two weeks ago in this TDA Monday Newsletter, to make the higher education undergraduate certificate offered by universities a continuing

‘Because TAFE is the public vocational education provider’ – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
Last Friday I appeared in front of the Senate Inquiry into the Free TAFE Bill 2024. You can access the recording here.

The narrative on non-completions – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
In its recent submission to the Free TAFE legislation inquiry, TDA demonstrates the lifechanging nature of free TAFE for many students, the majority of whom

More financial support direct to apprentices – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
Last Friday at the National Press Club, the Prime Minister stated, “our tradies are the lifeblood of our construction sector, and that’s why today we

Skills are still top of the industry agenda in 2025 – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
One of the nice things about early January is the media often does a series of summaries of thoughts from leaders. Not surprising, but nonetheless

The year that has been – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
Today will be the last TDA Monday Newsletter for 2024. Therefore, I am taking a minute to reflect on a few of the numerous big-ticket

International education update by Dr Teressa Schmidt
2024 has been a busy and uncertain year for those involved in international education, which has ended with nearly as much uncertainty as it began.

Australian Training Award winner leading a strong EV TAFE network – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
For many years, but not this one, I have supported Department of Employment and Workplace Relations as a judge for the Australian Training Awards. It

Self-accreditation for TAFE: crucial for parity – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
Last week I wrote about the TAFE self-accreditation pilots that are about to begin where ASQA will delegate accreditation powers to those TAFEs who are

Self-accreditation for TAFE – where are we up to? – comment by CEO Jenny Dodd
Back in May at TDA Convention 2024, the then Skills and Training Minister, Brendan O’Connor announced a pilot for self-accreditation for TAFEs. What that means