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…

Government’s stronger training laws pass Parliament

New legislation passed the Senate today that will further crack down on dodgy Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers.  Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham welcomed the Senate’s decision to pass the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Bill 2015.  “Passing this Bill sends a clear signal that the Australian Government…

Labor Hypocrisy on VET FEE-HELP

Labor's leader and education spokespeople should be blushing with embarrassment at their responses to today's reforms preventing unscrupulous marketers from targeting vulnerable Australians and exploiting taxpayers to the tune of billions of dollars. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham said that while Labor had been responsible for the significant expansion of the…

SA Business First to Sign up to the $476 Million Industry Skills Fund

Grants are starting to flow through from the Industry Skills Fund (ISF) to businesses across Australia. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the ISF is helping Australian businesses grow and compete in an increasingly global market that will help boost productivity and competitiveness across the economy. “The iconic South Australian ice…

Government targets VET FEE – HELP scammers

Important reforms will be made to the Government’s VET FEE-HELP student loan program to prevent unscrupulous marketers targeting vulnerable Australians and exploiting taxpayers to the tune of billions of dollars. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham today announced a rolling campaign of legislative and other changes to deal with rogue training providers…

New laws to strengthen VET standards

Legislation will be introduced into Parliament today to further crack down on unscrupulous Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers and improve training quality. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator the Hon Simon Birmingham said the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Bill 2015 would: Enable the Australian Government to create new quality standards…