More than 20,000 applications have been received for an Australian Government scheme that eases the financial strain on apprentices through flexible loan options. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the milestone shows the importance of the Trade Support Loans Programme in giving apprentices the best possible chance of completing their trade…
A new tender process announced today will address workforce skills needs and help build national productivity. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham said the Industry Skills Fund (ISF) Skills Adviser Tender will select organisations to provide expert industry professionals who will form a national network of skills advisers. “We want organisations that…
SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Well thanks very much for coming along today. Today is an important step in a series of rolling announcements in reforms to strengthen vocational education and training in Australia – especially to strengthen the quality of vocational education and training and to ensure that those who may wish to rort or abuse the…
For the first time Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) breaching standards could be issued with an immediate fine under the new infringement notice scheme starting today. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said that up until now the national regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA) could only write warning letters, or take…
The Draft National Strategy for International Education released for consultation today by Minister for Education and Training, Christopher Pyne, highlights the critical role vocational education and training (VET) has on the overall spectrum of international education. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, welcomed the consultation period on the strategy saying that Australian…
The next major step in a series of rolling reforms to vocational education and training (VET) commences today, stamping out unethical behaviour by training providers and their agents. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said that changes to the VET FEE-HELP scheme guidelines mean unethical inducements to prospective students to sign up…