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Last week in this piece I explored the NSW Vocational Education and Training (VET) Review and its proposed Charter for TAFE NSW. The Review’s recommendation stated there should be four principles that underpin the TAFE NSW Charter. If you read my piece last week, I identified three of those principles. Today I want to explore the fourth principle.
The fourth principle of the Charter is for “a place based and locally-focused TAFE NSW”. This matter of place is fundamental for ensuring local participation can grow among communities. It is an important principle for all TAFEs, especially those with regional communities.
Let’s start as an example with Tasmania. Tasmania has a regionally disbursed population and a strong desire to increase educational attainment of those in the regions. Tasmania’s Regional Jobs Hub Network has been a response to this issue. In this strategy Tasmania is seeking to support people in local communities to acquire skills and education to meet the demand of their regional job network. The goal is to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to recognise the industries that are in these regional hubs in a very direct way. The strategy then addresses how people can move in and out of education and work so that they achieve sustainable employment in the growth industries of their local communities. This model is working and has been presented to Ministers.
Separately, back in 2022 and many times since, TDA has called out that the national system approach of vocational education and training fails to recognise these nuances of place. For TAFE NSW to be able to deliver effectively in place and find local solutions our regulatory environment is going to have to be appropriately flexible.
In some ways this is going to be a challenge for the new TAFE Centres of Excellence. The TAFE Centres of Excellence will be working with local employers. Those local employers, with their TAFE partners, must be able to identify the outcomes they want and jointly agree the innovation and curriculum for how to achieve those outcomes. As has been stated in the Accord, TAFEs will need the ability to self-accredit for place based, employer driven opportunities to be realised.
We are at a moment of change if innovation is to be realised. For those attending TDA Convention 2024 the panel discussion on TAFE Centres of Excellence will identify both the opportunities and challenges that are proposed from this innovation.
TDA Convention 2024 is now firmly closed to registrations. We are sorry that we are having to turn people away but we are now at maximum capacity.
The new Jobs and Skills Council for the manufacturing sector, Manufacturing Industry Skills Alliance, will have a key role in identifying skills needs associated with AUKUS submarine construction and the Defence Strategic Review that was unveiled last week.
During an address in Melbourne last week, the Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor told the organisation its most important role would involve taking an industry wide approach in identifying skills needs and helping to solve them.
“Your workforce planning activities complement key government priorities such as AUKUS and the Defence Strategic Review,” Mr O’Connor said.
“This planning will help grow the manufacturing workforce that will enable Australia to deliver a viable sovereign defence industrial base.
“Another priority of our government is diversifying and transforming our industry and economy through the $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund.
“Whether it is advanced manufacturing, green minerals or supply chains, the NRF will facilitate innovation that will require new ways of working and new skills,” he said.
TDA and its members are gearing up for an action packed program at the TDA Convention 2024 from 8-9 May at the Sofitel Sydney Wentworth Hotel. There has been overwhelming interest in this year’s convention. Delegate numbers have reached maximum capacity and registrations are now closed.
TDA Convention 2024 will explore the theme ‘TAFE at the Heart’ in recognition of TAFE’s role at the centre of tertiary education and skills development in Australia. TDA has assembled senior leaders from across the sector to share their insights including Barney Glover, Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, Anna Faithfull, Deputy Secretary for Skills and Training at the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), Saxon Rice, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) and Peter Hurley, Director, Mitchell Institute.
Importantly, we will hear the voice of industry through a dynamic conversation with nine of the Jobs and Skills Council CEOs on workforce planning and skills shortages. They will also discuss their operational challenges and provide insights on qualification reform. Numerous breakout sessions provide further opportunity to learn about TAFE-industry collaboration and innovation.
This year, TDA is excited to welcome a delegation of 30 Chinese officials to the TDA Convention 2024 and to the Sino-Australian VET Forum. The forum provides a platform for open dialogue, knowledge exchange and enduring partnerships in vocational education and training. If you are registered for the TDA Convention 2024 and would like to attend the Sino-Australian VET Forum on the afternoon of 9 May, please let us know at memberservices@tda.edu.au and we will add your name to the attendee list.
TDA encourages convention delegates to update your registration profiles if you are NOT attending the dinner at the Sofitel on 8 May and/or the networking function at the Sydney Opera House on 9 May. This is important from a sustainability perspective in terms of catering requirements but also because there is now a waitlist for these events.
We look forward to welcoming you to Sydney in May 2024 for TAFE at the Heart!
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has announced the appointment of data analytics expert, John King (pictured) as its new Managing Director.
Mr King is currently the Chief Data Officer of Seer Data and Analytics and previously spent 15 years in the public sector where he led the data analytics and evaluation functions for the Victorian Department of Health, and the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing.
The Chair of the NCVER Dr Ruth Shean said Mr King brings extensive experience and a deep understanding of the VET sector through his senior roles in both the Victorian and South Australian governments.
“The Board considers John’s experience and knowledge in policy and data as key attributes to leading the company in support of the new National Skills Agreement, with its focus on enhancing VET data and evidence,” Dr Shean said.
Mr King will replace current Managing Director Simon Walker who steps down in July.
Dr Shean commended Mr Walker who has led NCVER since 2018.
“During this period, we have seen significant changes to the VET sector brought about by the COVID pandemic. Throughout this complex time, NCVER research and data services have continued to evolve and provide insights to inform policy and practice in the VET sector,” Dr Shean said.
Skills Insight, the Jobs and Skills Council for the agriculture and horticulture industry, has commenced work on three new projects to improve skills and training in the sectors.
Throughout April and May, webinars and consultation workshops will be held across various locations to collect feedback, with draft documents to be made available for comment on the Skills Insight website in May.
The three projects are:
In addition to the in-person consultation workshops, there will be webinars, email, phone calls, and an online feedback hub.
To receive updates about Skill Insight’s projects, subscribe to the Skills Insight newsletter.
Victoria University’s Sunshine campus will receive $1.5 million for an infrastructure upgrade under the Commonwealth’s $50 million TAFE Technology Fund.
The funds will be used for cutting-edge machines to support the establishment of the Western Melbourne Precinct for Advanced Manufacturing Training.
The project is part of the $21.8 million Tranche 2 of the TAFE Technology Fund.
“The TAFE Technology Fund targets campus infrastructure so that TAFEs in Victoria are equipped to deliver training to the standards expected by industry and students,” the Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan O’Connor said.
The VET Development Centre (VDC) and WorldSkills Australia (WSA) have established a series of professional learning webinars supported by self-paced learning guides, based on WorldSkills Australia’s Regional Competitions.
The free series will ensure Regional Coordinators, Competition Conveners, Judges and Volunteers have the necessary skills and knowledge on “How to run a WorldSkills Australia Regional Competition” including the steps taken to plan, recruit and facilitate a competition.
Webinars Include: Certificate of Attendance and Session Recording. Click here to read more and register.
My eQuals Connect
A discussion about the future of digital credentialing (free event)
7 May 2024
Sybil Centre, University of Sydney
More information
TDA Convention 2024, ‘TAFE at the Heart’ – FULL
8-9 May 2024
Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney
Fully booked
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2024 Skills Conference: Empowerment & Connection
12 June 2024
Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney
More information
Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Symposium 2024
Cultivating Creativity, Connections & Confidence in the Australian Tertiary Education Sector
12 June 2024
RMIT, Melbourne and online
More information
33rd National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’
‘VET partnerships powering a dynamic workforce’
10-12 July 2024
North Metropolitan TAFE, Perth
More information
National Apprentice Employment Network
National Conference ‘Skills for Life’
23-25 July 2024
Hilton Adelaide
Save the date
VET National Teaching & Learning Conference 2024
‘From Competence to Excellence – Strive to Inspire’
15-16 August 2024
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Register here
National Skills Week 2024
‘It’s a Game Changer’
19-25 August 2024
www.nationalskillsweek.com.au
47th WorldSkills Competition
10-15 September 2024
Lyon, France
More information
WFCP World Congress 2024
22-27 September 2024
St James, Jamaica, West Indies
More Information
AVETRA 2024 Conference
3-4 October 2024
University of Technology, Sydney
Save the date
Go to individual JSC websites for event details.
Powering Skills Organisation
Insights Update, 3 May 2024
Energy Pathway Roadshow: Collaborating for a Sustainable Tomorrow – events in Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, Bunbury, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Geelong and Brisbane.
poweringskills.com.au
HumanAbility
State and Territory Roadshow 2024
www.humanability.com.au
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