TAFE RESPONDING TO COVID-19
TAFES ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS BUT IT’S NOT BUSINESS AS USUAL
These continue to be unprecedented times with the COVID-19 pandemic impacting lives and livelihoods. TAFE leaders are playing their part in ensuring their institutions, teachers/staff and students continue to be connected and adapting to new ways of learning.
TAFEs around Australia have been collaborating regarding education delivery, engaging with peak industry bodies to prioritise learning, and working with quality standards bodies in the development of the alternative delivery models.
These web pages bring together how TAFEs are responding to the COVID-19 environment. In the spirit of collaboration and ongoing learning we welcome your feedback at communications@tda.edu.au.
TAFEs at work - adapting and transforming
State of the art cyber security training – South Metropolitan TAFE, Perth
Malicious cyber activity is growing worldwide, driving a dramatic increase in demand for cyber security solutions. Over the next decade the Australian cyber security industry is forecast to almost triple in size. This growth translates into an additional 11,000 jobs.
Box Hill Institute launches its own social media platform
Box Hill Institute has reimagined its open day for 2020 making every day an open day.
Supporting women with training and employment opportunities – Victoria University Polytechnic
Research shows that women are increasingly at risk of homelessness and financial hardship as they get older. Women from diverse backgrounds are often excluded from the workforce due to caring responsibilities, time out of the workforce and being unable to find suitable work for their existing skills. VU Polytechnic and WomenCan Australia have teamed up for a unique solution.
Infection control skill sets: free training – Wodonga TAFE
As Victoria emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions, businesses and workers need to ensure they can safely reopen and engage with customers. All Victorian TAFEs are now offering free infection control skill sets* for eligible employees. The areas targeted include food handling, retail and transport and logistics.
Transformation for Dookie Agricultural College
Regional and rural workers in north-eastern Victoria will benefit from upgraded learning facilities, thanks to a $2 million investment by the Victorian Government.
Training support for employers and trainees in the retail and agriculture sectors – TAFE SA
Retail and agriculture courses are being offered on Eyre Peninsula to meet a need for skilled workers. The training is being delivered by TAFE SA.
New investment for Mandurah TAFE hospitality and tourism training centre – South Metropolitan TAFE, WA
In response to COVID-19 the Western Australian Government has announced, under its WA Recovery Plan, a suite of capital works projects benefitting WA TAFEs. As part of the plan a new world class hospitality and tourism training centre is to be built at South Metropolitan TAFE ‘s Mandurah campus.
Adelady visits TAFE SA Tonsley – TAFE SA
Recently Adelady visited TAFE SA Tonsley and spoke to female apprentices. Currently, women represent less than three percent of the workforce in trades across the country.
TAFE SA is striving to increase diversity within the trade workforce by showcasing the vast opportunities in this sector to women of all backgrounds and stages of their career journeys. Watch the segment on YouTube.
Carpentry and joinery teachers team up to provide consistent training for apprentices – TasTAFE
A significant challenge during COVID-19 has been to keep apprentices engaged and learning especially those with a large proportion of practical training. TasTAFE teachers from across the state have collaborated to convert theory elements of the carpentry and joinery courses to the digital environment.
One of the great outcomes of the collaboration has been the opportunity to provide a more consistent experience for apprentices state-wide.
Comments from TAFEs
Message from TAFE SA and the SA Certificate of Education Board – Q&A about schools and TAFE
David Coltman, Chief Executive of TAFE SA and Mark Westwell, Chief Executive of the SA Certificate of Education (SACE) Board, answer high school students’ questions regarding study in Term 2 and beyond.
Message from Steffen Faurby, Managing Director, TAFE NSW
Steffen Faurby, the new Managing Director of TAFE NSW says the response of TAFE NSW staff to adapt teaching during COVID points to new skills required of workers and transformation of the approach to vocational education
Message from Janelle Chapman, Executive Director, TAFE Queensland International
Janelle Chapman is the lead for all international business activities for TAFE Queensland, the largest VET provider in Queensland. With more than 30 years of experience in VET, Janelle is a strong advocate for the TAFE sector. She is also the Vice President of the International Education Association of Australia which represents all providers for international students. In this video Janelle highlights some of the great work that is being done in Queensland to support international students.
Message from Margie Fixter, Executive Director, Quality, Teaching and Learning, TAFE SA
Rich conversations about pedagogy, keeping staff and students safe, strong advice where needed and collaboration at pace and with good will. Read other reflections from Margie Fixter, of TAFE SA
Message from Jenny Dodd, CEO of TasTAFE
Jenny Dodd has been the CEO of TasTAFE for over two years and previously worked at TAFE Queensland and the Canberra Institute of Technology. In this video Jenny shares some insights on how TasTAFE staff have been re-thinking how they deliver and work together to meet the challenges of the new COVID-19 environment.
Students responding to COVID-19
Free TAFE helps students join the workforce during COVID-19 – Box Hill Institute
Free, full qualification TAFE courses in Victoria have provided opportunities for thousands of people to gain new knowledge and skills, or re-skill to meet changing industry demands.
CIT nursing graduates ready to support the community – Canberra Institute of Technology
In the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, a group of CIT students have successfully graduated as nurses during this tough COVID-19 time.
Prices are almost too good to be true – TAFE SA
7 News visited TAFE SA training restaurants, hair and beauty salons and massage skills labs, where students provide excellent services to the public for a fraction of industry-standard prices. Handy during COVID!
Job loss opens new doors for student – TAFE Queensland
COVID-19 took Ellie Foley’s job, but she turned the loss into an opportunity to pursue her dream career as a nurse.
Keeping students engaged online is a priority for TasTAFE hair and beauty team
Juggling online learning with caring for a nine-month-old and home schooling a six-year-old has not been easy, but for one student it’s been a rewarding experience, thanks to the support of TasTAFE teachers.
Students in rural Western Australia embrace flexible learning during COVID-19 – South Regional TAFE
Positive learning experiences, more flexibility to balance home life and study, reduced travel time and gaining new confidence to learn in an online environment are just some of the reported benefits of online and blended learning at South Regional TAFE in Western Australia.
TAFEs working with business and industry
TAFE NSW accelerates Volvo apprentices
With increased government funding for apprenticeships and traineeships in response to the COVID-19 recovery, timing is right for employers and TAFEs to work together and increase the number of apprentices and trainees. For example, TAFE NSW has recently partnered with MSX International as the national training provider for Volvo apprentices.
Wildfire awareness course to help protect local communities – TAFE NSW National Centre for Emergency Management Studies
With climate change our summers are likely to become hotter and drier as experienced during last year’s horror fire season. TAFE NSW has developed a wildfire awareness course with the Australian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council. It is the minimum qualification for personnel who support firefighters on the frontline, including police, ambulance officers, wildlife carers, media liaison personnel, first aid officers, utility company employees and campground hosts.
Cutting edge technology to boost defence training – TAFE SA
TAFE SA has collaborated with Odyssee Aus Engineers to develop a virtual ship engine room at its Regency campus. The cutting edge technology got a big thumbs up from the students.
Brewing leads to business – TAFE SA
Two of TAFE SA’s brewing graduates run Adelaide indie brewery, The Suburban Brew, which opened in early September. TAFE provided the chance for the graduate entrepreneur to change careers and follow his passion and meet his future business partner.
Keep your business safe – TAFE Queensland
TAFE Queensland has developed a range of solutions for businesses that will help keep employees and customers safe from COVID-19 outbreaks. Inclusion of training in business COVID Safe or workplace health and safety plans will help them become a COVID Safe organisation. Skill sets and micro-credentials are on offer to upskill the workforce, safeguarding them and customers against COVID-19
A skills-led recovery plan for travel and tourism – TAFE NSW
In 2018–19, tourism contributed $60.8 billion to Australian GDP and provided jobs for more than 5% of the national workforce (666,000 people). The tourism sector has been hit harder than most other industries by the COVID-19 crisis, and skills training will play a large role in preparing businesses for a post-pandemic environment.
Research
2020 Australia’s STEM Workforce Report
STEM occupations are traditionally associated with higher education, but did you know that more STEM workers in Australia possess a VET qualification than a university degree?
The Australian Chief Scientist’s STEM Workforce Report reveals that out of 11.5 million workers in 2016, 10% had a VET STEM qualification and 6% had a university STEM qualification.
VET sector encouraged to partner with employers on tech skills
COVID-19 has resulted in much of vocational education and training (VET) teaching being delivered online. At the same time VET providers are being urged to collaborate with employers to equip workers with skills to deal with increasingly digitised industries.
The recommendation comes from new ‘good practice guides’ released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), which are designed to ensure training providers are delivering relevant content to future workers.
Understanding the return on investment from TVET
As policymakers look to options for stimulating the economy and ensuring that local communities recover well after the COVID-19 pandemic, understanding the return on investment (ROI) in technical and vocational education and training will be particularly important. It is also vital for publicly funded VET institutions to understand the ROI as they advocate for increased funding.
Looking to the future
MICHAEL KEATING: The Prime Minister’s reform agenda for skills
Michael Keating is a former Secretary of the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Finance and Employment, and Industrial Relations. He was also a member of the Boards of Skills Australia, the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency and the South Australian Training and Skills Commission, and he has led separate reviews of the VET systems in NSW and SA. He is presently a visiting fellow at the Australian National University.
FRANCESCA BEDDIE: Tertiary education after COVID-19
Francesca Beddie, former General Manager for Research at NCVER and now tertiary education commentator writes about the impact of COVID-19 on tertiary education in Australia and calls for fairer arrangements between universities and vocational education.
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