In recognition of the importance of languages to our economic and social prosperity, the Government allocated seed funding of $4.6 million over two years to establish the National Centre for Language Training 
as part of the 2003-2004 Federal Budget. The purpose of the Centre is to develop and offer customised, intensive training in key languages and cross-cultural skills necessary for Australia to engage with other countries in business, trade and cultural exchanges. Funding has been made available from the 2004/05 financial year and will be paid in four instalments until 2005/06. It is expected that after this time the Centre will be self-supporting.
The Centre, run by the Uni-TAFE Consortium, is based at the Australian Technology Park Redfern within the International Business Centre. The consortium partners for the Centre are: New South Global Pty Limited; The University of New South Wales (UNSW) Institute of Languages; Monash University; University of South Australia; Curtin University of Technology; Griffith University and TAFE NSW (representing the Australian TAFE Consortium, TAFE Global and the NSW Adult Migrant English Service).
The Funding Agreement with the Consortium was signed in August 2004.
The Centre’s language courses will be specifically targeted to the needs of Australian business. Clients of the Centre may include: Australian exporting firms, government departments and the tourism and hospitality sectors. The Centre will provide customised services to meet its clients' individual requirements. The Centre will, inter alia:
- deliver short practical courses for beginners in languages other than English, cultural awareness and cultural communications;
- deliver immersion training programs, coordinate work or study placements in-country for increased language and cultural exposure;
- create recognised learning pathways between the levels to allow students the opportunity to expand their knowledge through articulation; and
- offer business culture training to help businesses work effectively with international counterparts and facilitate in-country internship opportunities for work and study through the consortium's international offices, international clients, and partner educational institutions.
Contact details:
Director
National Centre for Language Training
Suite INB International Business Centre
Australian Technology Park Garden St
EVELEIGH NSW 1430
Office:
Telephone: +61 2 9209 4924
Facsimile: + 61 2 9209 4919
Email: nclt@unsw.edu.au
Website: http://www.nclt.com.au/