The Australian Government has announced the first group of twelve successful applicants to establish an Australian Technical College. These Colleges will commence operations in 2006 and 2007.
The Colleges are an innovative response to strengthen Australia’s vocational and technical education system and promote pride and excellence in the acquisition of trade skills.
The regions announced are Geelong, Eastern Melbourne, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Port Macquarie, Illawarra, Bairnsdale/Sale, Bendigo, Townsville, Darwin and Adelaide. More Colleges will be announced later this year. For further information on Australian Technical Colleges visit http://www.australiantechnicalcolleges.gov.au/ 
Its back! Following the success of the original publication, Training Packages @ Work: Back 2 Basics vol. 2 was recently launched. The new publication covers a range of practical topics and explains some of the key components of the national training system, such as Industry Skills Councils and VET in schools.
Back 2 Basics vol. 2 is now available in hard copy and will be available online in early 2006. To order copies or for more information, contact the Training Packages @ Work team via email at info@tpatwork.com or call 07 3404 3983.
The first volume is still available in hard copy and online at www.tpatwork.com/back2basics (login required).
The Resources and Infrastructure Industry Skills Council will hold its inaugural conference in Sydney on 23 August 2005. The conference will focus on future directions for the human resources capabilities and skill requirements of the resources and infrastructure industries. For further information on the conference, visit http://www.riisc.com.au/
The search for talented young trade and skill professionals is underway with the commencement of the WorldSkills Australia regional competitions. Competitions are being held in regional locations across Australia in over forty different categories including cabinet making, vehicle painting, plumbing, web design, cookery, restaurant service, floristry and jewellery. Winners of the regional competitions have the chance to compete at the 2006 National WorldSkills Australia competition which will be held in Melbourne between the 5th and 7th May 2006. For more information on WorldSkills Australia and details of the regional competitions, visit http://www.worldskills.org.au/
The 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework is offering free workshops to vocational and technical education, and adult and community education groups during July and August. The workshops will provide information and demonstrations of the free tools and services available from EdNA Online and will also allow participants to trial the service.
For the workshop outline, full details of the dates, venues and locations and the registration form, go to www.edna.edu.au/edna/page3328.html
The voice of Indigenous learners in Australia’s training system has been clearly defined with the launch of Partners in a Learning Culture – the way forward. Six priority areas have been defined to prompt a renewed focus for all partners in the training system and have been endorsed by Training Ministers. The six areas are: building the capacity of the training sector; creating more pathways; improving funding frameworks; culturally appropriate product development, design and delivery; links to employment; and growing training sector partnerships. For more information, visit www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/nts/vet/aitac.htm
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