Nanny Pilot Programme – Applications Open for Families

Nurses, farmers, police, emergency service employees and other parents who are struggling to match their work hours with conventional childcare options are invited to participate in the Australian Government’s new Nanny Pilot Programme from early 2016. Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the pilot will provide subsidised care for about 10,000 children…

Full force against dodgy providers

There have been serious allegations reported today about the registered training organisation (RTO) Phoenix Institute and broker Education Circle. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said he was deeply disturbed about the allegations made and has asked the Department of Education and Training to urgently investigate. “I have asked for my Department…

Full force against dodgy providers

There have been serious allegations reported today about the registered training organisation (RTO) Phoenix Institute and broker Education Circle. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said he was deeply disturbed about the allegations made and has asked the Department of Education and Training to urgently investigate.   “I have asked for my Department…

Xenophon has questions to answer

If Nick Xenophon’s political party is going to run candidates across multiple electorates at the next federal election, it’s time he started providing more details to South Australians.  These are just some of the questions Nick Xenophon needs to answer about his political party. One: Who are the candidates?  When will he reveal their names? When will he allow…

Labor has failed students and taxpayers

Today the Senate Education and Employment References Committee convened a public hearing for its inquiry into the operation, regulation and funding of private vocational education and training (VET) providers in Australia. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said the hearings highlighted the importance of the Abbott Government’s reforms to the VET sector.…

Fortitude Valley business signs up to the $664 million Industry Skills Fund

Local businesses in Brisbane are benefiting from the Industry Skills Fund (ISF), which will provide up to 250,000 training places and support services across Australia. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham said that Alpha Finance was one of a number of businesses throughout Australia to secure funding under the Government’s $664 million…

Book an Apprenticeship Ambassador today

The Australian Apprenticeships and Ambassadors Program highlights real life apprenticeship and traineeship success stories and aims to boost the status of apprenticeships. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham officially launched Book an Ambassador, a function available via the Australian Apprenticeships website, along with Australian Apprenticeships Ambassador Dean Halatau from the West Tigers,…

Adult Learners’ Week celebrates twenty years

Each year Adult Learners’ Week celebrates the important role adult and community education plays in reducing the risk of long-term unemployment. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham and Federal Member for Hindmarsh Matt Williams launched the twentieth Adult Learners’ Week noting the theme for this year’s Adult Learners’ Week is ‘unlocking learning’…