Skills Ministers agree to simpler, more responsive training system

Vocational students and employers will have a simpler, more responsive national training system under projects agreed today by Commonwealth, State and Territory Skills Ministers. Assistant Minister for Education and Training Senator Simon Birmingham chaired today’s meeting of Skills Ministers as part of the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Industry and Skills Council. “Vocational education and…

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Nowra Apprentices, Trainees to Benefit from New Network

Businesses, apprentices and trainees across the Gilmore electorate will be able to access innovative support services through four organisations under the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network that was announced on Monday. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, is visiting Nowra today and said the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN), which will commence…

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Surge in International VET Students a Sign of High Quality

New figures show Australia’s international vocational education and training (VET) student numbers are well up on this time last year, highlighting the sector’s quality. The Australian Government data reveals that international VET student enrolments increased to almost 93,000 in the March 2015 quarter – a 15.5 per cent increase compared with the same period last…

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Nominate a Skills and Training Champion

The search is on for Australia’s vocational skills and training champions, with just one month before applications close for the 2015 Australian Training Awards. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham said the awards were a great way to recognise those doing important work in the skills and training space. “I encourage individuals,…

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New Support Network to Increase Apprentice Completion Rates

Businesses, apprentices and trainees will now have access to new and innovative support services after the 11 organisations making up the new Australian Apprenticeship Support Network were announced today.    Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) is a $200 million annual investment to recruit, train…

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Labor’s failure to Apprentices

The Australian National Audit Office’s (ANAO) report into the Apprenticeships Incentives Program, released today, shows that once again Labor failed to have in place a system to ensure that programmes deliver meaningful outcomes. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said today’s report concludes that Labor failed to properly administer the apprenticeships incentives…

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Employers to Drive New Model for Training Product Development

Australian employers and industry will be placed at the heart of a new approach to the development of vocational education and training products announced by the Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, today. “In an increasingly competitive, globalised and technologically-advanced economy, Australian industry needs skills training that meets the demands of their…

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Trade Support Loan Apprentice Sign Ups Crack 20,000

More than 20,000 applications have been received for an Australian Government scheme that eases the financial strain on apprentices through flexible loan options. Assistant Minister for Education and Training, Senator Simon Birmingham, said the milestone shows the importance of the Trade Support Loans Programme in giving apprentices the best possible chance of completing their trade…

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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…

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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…

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