Archived News for Education Sector Professionals - August, 2011
Funding of $4.5 million has been awarded to the Defence Teaming Centre to create 2,300 new training places to boost skills and qualifications for South Australia's defence industries.
The Defence Teaming Centre's successful application through Round Four of the Productivity Places Program (PPP) for Existing Workers was made in conjunction with defence industry prime contractors BAE Systems Australia, Lockheed Martin Australia, Raytheon Australia Pty Ltd, and ASC AWD Shipbuilder Pty Ltd and members of their supply chains.
The allocation will fund 1,072 nationally endorsed training places at Certificate IV level, 945 at Diploma level and 288 at Advanced Diploma level. Training will be towards qualifications such as accounting; computer systems engineering; electrical engineering; manufacturing; project management; records management; building and construction; health and safety; human resources; marketing; purchasing; and transport and logistics
Reference Group to investigate viability of Tasmanian schools
A nine-member Reference Group has been established by the Tasmanian Government to investigate the viability of Tasmanian Government schools.
$558 million to address skills shortages
The Federal Government has launched its $558 million National Workforce Development Fund with the aim of providing 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for sectors that are currently experiencing skills shortages.
Queensland merger of CQU and CQIT gets go ahead
The Queensland State Government has announced its approval of the merger of Central Queensland University (CQU) and Central Queensland Institute of TAFE (CQIT).
Study to assess school kitchen garden program
The Australian Health Services Research Institute (AHSRI) at the University of Wollongong has won a bid to evaluate the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden National Project that aims to positively influence food choices among children.
Universities offer alternative access program
The University of New England and the University of Sydney have launched a new program to improve access to higher education, with the first students under the ‘Alternative Entry Pathway’ to commence in 2012.
Under the ‘Alternative Entry Pathway’ opportunity, which will be offered jointly by the partner universities, current Year 12 students from more than 60 eligible high schools in Sydney and on the NSW coast (full list available at http://www.une.edu.au/usyd) can apply to study the first year of selected degrees on campus at the University of New England.
In year two of their degree students can transition to the University of Sydney, provided they have made satisfactory progress in their first year of study in approved majors and units at the University of New England.
The Alternative Entry Pathway relies on a school’s assessment of a student’s ability to cope with study at university, rather than their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent. The assessment is based on personal attributes, such as the student’s ability to work and learn independently, as well as a judgment about the student’s potential for academic success at university.
The intention of the arrangement is to grant greater access for students who are eligible for Youth Allowance, who are disadvantaged by their background or geographic location, and who are assessed to be capable of achieving academic success.
For each Alternative Entry Pathway student, both institutions will be offering additional academic support to facilitate a transition to university study. Scholarships and sponsorships are also available.
NSW to abolish Year 10 certificate
New South Wales Minister for Education Adrian Piccoli has announced that the School Certificate will be abolished as of 2012.
Report recommends merger of Canberra higher ed institutions
The ACT Government has published a report into the future of the University of Canberra (UC) and the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT), finding that given the significant changes in national tertiary education, it is not an option for Canberra's CIT and UC to continue to operate in their current form.
New chair of China-Australia alliance
The University of Newcastle’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Academic and Global Relations Professor Kevin McConkey has been appointed to chair the Shangri-La University Alliance (SUA).
Push to reduce regional HECS charges
University of New England vice-chancellor Jim Barber has called on the Federal Government to consider reducing HECS charges for students at regional universities in the event of price deregulation.
Macquarie announces job cuts as visas fall
Macquarie University has announced plans to cut 70 jobs from its payroll due to dwindling international enrolments for 2012 semesters.
New Australia-India education linkages
New exchange programs for academics and college principals were among a range of initiatives designed to foster higher education links between Australia and India announced by Minister for Tertiary Education, Senator Chris Evans.
TEQSA launched
The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has launched, with the Federal Government expressing its confidence in the new agency in describing ‘a new era of quality’ for higher education in Australia.
Tasmania to move to four term school year
The Tasmanian State government has announced that all state schools will move to a four term year as of 2013.