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On the minds of all our TDA members is the question of how we grow the opportunities that digital brings while effectively managing cyber risks. That is, how do we become more resilient and adventurous in this pretty challenging environment?
TAFEs place as number one the safety of our students and our staff. As we know, the safety landscape is broad and includes both physical and psychological safety. It also includes ensuring that our people’s records and identities are safely protected from cyber attacks.
Over the last few years, we have all been involved in training to ensure that we are not the weak link in our organisation’s protection mechanisms. The more we understand what could happen, the better informed we are to protect our people.
It is not just the risks we need to know about, it is the opportunities that the cyber industry offers. In discussions with Box Hill Institute, Victoria last week I was amazed to learn of the enormous earning capacity of their graduates of the Certificate IV in Cyber Security – well into the six figures! The industry demand for people with these skills is huge and industry is prepared to pay for it.
As members of our vocational education sector, regardless of role, this is a really important area to deepen understanding. It is also an area where innovation in delivery is occurring.
As a key technology partner of many TDA members and of TDA, Technology One is helping education institutions to better develop their cyber risk strategy.
As the skills organisation responsible for digital, the Digital Skills Organisation (DSO) is focusing on how we develop capabilities to produce skilled cyber security graduates that organisations are demanding.
And as one of our very experienced TDA members, Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is creating new ways through the Canberra Cyber Hub to provide relevant and immersive learning experiences, in partnership with DSO.
Join Patrick from DSO, Peter from TechnologyOne, and Fiona from CIT on Wednesday at our next TAFETalks to explore this critical topic in depth. The registration link is later in this newsletter.
The Queensland government has rejected the Commonwealth’s latest offer under the proposed National Skills Agreement, warning of massive student fee increases if it were to proceed.
The Minister for Training and Skills Development Di Farmer said the proposed funding model would worsen acute staff shortages in health care, child care, aged care and disability care.
Ms Farmer said analysis by the Queensland government indicated that fees for a Certificate III in Early Childhood would jump from $316 to between $1000 and $3000, while a Certificate III in Individual Support would rise from $172 to between $500 and $1500.
“The states and territories are united in their condemnation of the draft agreement,” Ms Farmer said.
The agreement was due to be completed by last August. Officials from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment recently told a Senate Committee they hoped to finalise it by June.
With less than a week until the federal election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison says a Coalition win would provide a mandate for national skills reform that would see him deliver 800,000 skilled places.
In an interview with the Weekend Australian, Mr Morrison cited his skills reform agenda, along with climate change, as key priorities, if returned.
“We have been trying to get movement on reforming how we do skills in this country with the states and territories,” he said.
“We have some serious money on the table and that’s been resisted.
“Business and individuals want training that suits them and not just something there for the people who provide it. I think there would be a very strong skills mandate to press ahead on,” he said.
The acting managing director of TAFE NSW, Stephen Brady, has been appointed to the permanent position.
The Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said Mr Brady is a strong leader who would provide a clear and strategic direction for Australia’s largest training provider.
“Mr Brady will deliver on our shared vision for TAFE NSW – a vibrant, nation-leading training provider which delivers high-quality vocational education that meets industry needs and produces job-ready, skilled workers.”
Mr Brady was appointed to the acting role last December. He has more than 20 years of experience in executive leadership roles in the private and public sectors, including with the NSW Department of Customer Service, the Department of Premier and Cabinet, and NSW Treasury.
“I am honoured and excited to be given this opportunity to lead Australia’s largest vocational education and training provider,” Mr Brady said.
The TDA Board, CEO and secretariat warmly congratulate Steve and look forward to continuing to work closely with him, as Steve takes on the wonderful role of leading TAFE NSW as well as contributing to national direction as a TDA Board member.
Don’t forget to register for this week’s TAFETalks on the topic of ‘Cyber security; Building capability to respond to risk’.
It’s on this Wednesday 18 May, 2-3pm AEST.
The webinar features Patrick Kidd, CEO of the Digital Skills Organisation, Fiona Mitchell, Director, Industry Engagement at CIT, and Peter Nikoletatos, Industry General Manager for Education at TechnologyOne.
The ACT is setting the pace for training electric and hydrogen vehicle mechanics, with the opening of a dedicated workshop at Canberra Institute of Technology’s Fyshwick campus.
“CIT’s new electric and hydrogen vehicle training facility will power Canberra’s renewable transport revolution and equip the workforce with the skills to work in a zero emissions transport,” the Minister for Skills Chris Steel said.
CIT is developing a new course to train Canberra’s first EV apprentices under a Certificate III in Electrical Vehicle Technology.
The ACT government has promised that every Transport Canberra diesel mechanic will have the skills to work on zero emissions buses.
The CEO of CIT Leanne Cover said the institute has worked closely with Tesla and other manufacturers to ensure CIT’s electric-vehicle training for both light and heavy vehicles is cutting-edge.
Some of Australia’s top apprentices and trainees have commenced a week-long career and leadership program that is designed to prepare them as future leaders.
The National Apprentice Employment Network’s ‘Today’s Skills: Tomorrow’s Leaders’ program comprises 21 outstanding apprentices and trainees, selected from across Australia.
All the participants are regarded as emerging leaders in their fields. They are engaged in industries including, business, electrical, engineering, community services, automotive, education, maritime, construction and logistics.
The intensive residential program runs in Canberra from 15-20 May and will be launched tomorrow at Government House by the Governor-General David Hurley.
NAEN CEO Dianne Dayhew said the program provides a unique opportunity for skilled individuals to extend their leadership capabilities.
“I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected for this program because I am very confident that we will be hearing much more about their success in years to come.”
Updated skills in pharmaceutical good manufacturing practice (GMP) have been finalised and published following extensive industry consultation.
Four units of competency have been streamlined to better reflect the actual job functions undertaken by graduates, and to remove barriers to their delivery.
The project was managed by Skills Impact in its role as secretariat for the Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Industry Reference Committee (IRC).
Michael Hartman, Skills Impact Chief Executive, said industry will now have access to units of competency that better reflect the actual job tasks undertaken and with fewer barriers associated with delivery.
“Updated GMP units will allow current and future learners to gain the skills required to produce safe and effective pharmaceuticals for the Australian public,” he said.
The Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) is seeking applications from qualified, highly experienced and motivated individuals for the following roles:
APTC is Australia’s flagship Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) investment in the Pacific. It has country offices in Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Timor-Leste. The Regional Head Office is located in Suva, Fiji.
Applications close 3pm (Timor-Leste Time) Friday 20 May.
VET CEO Conference
Velg Training
16-20 May 2022
Online
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TAFETalks: Cyber security; Building capability to respond to risk
18 May 2022
Webinar
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Disability Employment Australia Conference
31 May – 2 June 2022
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World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics
2022 World Congress
15-17 June 2022
Donostia-San Sebastian (Spain)
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Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2022 Skills Conference
15 June 2022
Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney
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31st National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’
National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
6-8 July 2022, Online
Program out, register now!
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ACER Research Conference 2022
Reimagining assessment
22-25 August 2022
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Victorian TAFE Association
State Conference
24-26 August 2022
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National Skills Week 2022
22-28 August 2022
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Community Colleges Australia National Conference
13-14 September 2022
Sydney
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WorldSkills Shanghai 2022
12-17 October 2022
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Australian International Education Conference 2022
18-21 October 2022
Gold Coast & Online
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2022 National VET Conference
Velg Training
3-4 November 2022
Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre
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TDA Convention 2022
Courage, Change and Challenge – the Future of TAFE
15-17 November 2022
Adelaide
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VDC Teaching & Learning Conference
VET Development Centre
17 & 18 November 2022 (Online)
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