Tonight at a reception celebrating National TAFE Day an unexpected election announcement by Shadow Minister Sharon Bird showed that Labor has no idea where they stand. 12 months ago, on the last National TAFE Day, Mr Shorten said “And I have asked our Shadow Minister for Vocational Education Sharon Bird to work with all of…
In a further bid to strengthen the vocational education and training (VET) sector, the Coalition has confirmed additional funding to the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the additional funding to ASQA will help bolster the Authority’s regulatory powers and remove excessive paperwork and red tape…
The Government has today announced a ban on withdrawal fees that will make it easier for students to withdraw from courses that they have been inappropriately signed up to. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said this new measure will further protect students, taxpayers and the reputation of the vocational education and…
The six organisations that will make up the new Industry Skills Fund Skills Adviser Network have been announced today. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the Industry Skills Fund (ISF) Skills Adviser Network will invest $43 million over the next three years to provide intensive support to businesses that are looking…
The Coalition Government is committed to supporting the jobs and skills needed to grow and diversify the Australian economy. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the Government was investing around $6 billion this year to support people undertaking vocational education and training (VET), including more than 300,000 apprentices. “One of our…
South Australian families and employers have been waiting to see if today’s State Budget delivers real plans to tackle the jobs crisis in our state. With the highest unemployment in the nation, PremierJay Weatherill and Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis must change tack from the last year. They need to admit SA has a problem, accept their…
A new taxpayer-funded ad campaign to attract international students to South Australia is a welcomed backflip, but the extra funding won't work while domestic policies cripple training providers. “On the one hand Treasurer Koutsantonis says he wants to boost the number of international students in South Australia, while on the other hand his Government has…
Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, has welcomed today’s announcement of a new, simplified international student visa framework (SSVF) to support Australia’s international education sector. “The decision to simplify the international student visa framework is good news for our economy, our local communities and jobs and the vocational education and training (VET)…
SA needs a strong and stable training sector if we are to build the sort of skilled workforce which is capable of tackling challenges and opportunities as they arise in years to come. When public and private training providers are allowed to compete on a level playing field, students have real choice in deciding which institution suits their needs best, based on quality,speciality and…
The newly established Australian Industry and Skills Committee (AISC) will hold their inaugural meeting in Melbourne today. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, will attend today’s meeting and said the Committee is to play a vital role in the Australian Government’s new vocational education and training (VET) model. “This meeting is an…