Withdrawal fees banned for courses

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…

Support for our Apprentices

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…

ISF Skills Adviser Network announced

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…

Policy inconsistencies threaten SA Labor’s new international education campaign

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…

New International Student Visa Framework a win for VET

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)…

Strong Training Sector Needed

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…

Labor’s continued failure to Apprentices

The Government is investing around $6 billion this year to support people undertaking vocational education and training (VET), including more than 300,000 apprentices. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said Ms Bird and her Labor colleagues had got it wrong accusing the Abbott Government of squibbing young apprentices.  “At the same time…

The Training Ball is in Your Court Jay

I returned home from Canberra today to do what Jay Weatherill has failed to do – listen to students, employers and training providers about South Australian Labor’s flawed new training model, WorkReady. This model has been universally criticised as stripping students and employers of effective choice in accessing high quality, value for money training. Sectors…