Skills Advisers Network Tender Open

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…

Dodgy providers will be fined

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…

Time is up for shonky VET spruikers

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…

Vocational Education and Training is Critical to International Education

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…

Marriage Amendment Bill

 I regret that I am not able to be in the Senate to make a contribution to today’s debate on same-sex marriage, but write this article to ensure my views and position are understood.   The reason for my absence from the Senate is perhaps poignant, as I am taking some short leave following the…

Launch of ACPET Code of Conduct

SIMON BIRMINGHAM: Thank you to the ACPET team, to Mel and the board members and representatives of different companies who are present here today. To our hosts from [indistinct] in education, thank you very much for having us here, and for the showcasing of the wonderful work that you do and that you’ll undertake with…