The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) is ready to take on the role and functions of ANTA on 1 July 2005. DEST has adopted a new structure to accommodate its expanded role. This structure is now available on the DEST Internet site, complete with descriptions of the role of each section and a contact number for enquires. http://www.dest.gov.au/sectors/training_skills/policy_issues_reviews/key_issues/anta/contacts.htm
The Australian Government is looking forward to building on the successes of the National Training System. Legislation that sets the framework for the future management of vocational education and training, and appropriates Commonwealth funds was introduced into Parliament on 11 May. When passed, this legislation will transfer all of the Australian National Training Authority’s (ANTA’s) rights, assets, contracts and other obligations to the Australian Government, represented by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). The Skilling Australia’s Workforce Bill 2005 and the Skilling Australia’s Workforce (Repeal and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2005 are available at www.aph.gov.au/index.htm 
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Following the Ministerial Council meeting on June 10 2001, Ministers agreed that a working group of officials from Australian, State and Territory training departments will continue to work on finalising details of the new national training arrangements. DEST and ANTA are working together to ensure there is no disruption to day to day business.
ANTA and DEST are committed to a smooth transition process:
- Decisions of the ANTA Ministerial Council and subsidiary bodies will continue to be effective beyond July 2005. Decisions will remain in force until formally overturned or altered through the relevant new decision-making processes.
- ANTA’s web content will be available on the DEST website from 1 July. Stakeholders and clients using the ANTA web address will be re-directed to the DEST site.
For more information, visit www.dest.gov.au.
Log on to training.com.au for all your training needs.
training.com.au has been providing Australian businesses with a one-stop entry point into many web sites and e-business facilities related to nationally recognised training in Australia since its release in May 2003. New information is now available for registered training organisations (RTOs).
UPDATES:
- RTOs can now enter their details in a secure area to allow clients to choose the best training to suit their needs. Businesses can then use the course and qualification search to find the right provider and course for their needs. This includes access to course schedules (including short course aligned with units of competency), campus localities, course availability, trainer profiles and much more.
- Building on the existing features of a business calculator to assess the return on training investment and practical information on topics such as New Apprenticeships, training costs, up skilling staff and how to adopt a learning culture, there is now a unique ‘Ask the Expert’ feature. This means specific questions can be answered direct by an expert in their field.
The training.com.au site also provides RTOs with comprehensive information aimed at helping them to market their business, manage the auditing process, available funding, developing markets and access to training resource materials, and contains a variety of case studies and frequently asked questions.
For more information contact feedback@training.com.au
3 - 4 August 2005
Adelaide
The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) will host a forum to share the findings of key research on Indigenous VET issues, and reflect on the implications for policy, practice and further research.
The research is part of a comprehensive program that aims to contribute to the vision and objectives of Partners in a Learning Culture, Australia's national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander strategy for vocational education and training 2000 - 2005. The strategy is designed to improve vocational education and training and its outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
A range of research will be presented, including:
- the views of Indigenous students about training and its benefits,
- the role of Indigenous VET staff, their influence and experiences,
- the role of VET in capacity building for Indigenous governance,
- good practice in Indigenous VET.
The program also includes a number of guest speakers to provide a range of perspectives, views and to showcase VET programs in practice. It was developed in consultation with the Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council (AITAC) and the forum is funded by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA).
Venue: Holiday Inn, Adelaide
Cost: $310 (incl GST) for the full forum. This includes all forum sessions, materials, lunches, morning and afternoon teas, drinks at networking event at Tandanya - the National Aboriginal Cultural Institute (http://www.tandanya.com.au/ ), and transfer to/from Tandanya from the Holiday Inn.
Further information about the research forum, including registration form and preliminary program, is available from http://www.ncver.edu.au/newsevents/events/indigenous/forum.html .
People with a disability a solution for skill shortage crisis
Australia’s rapidly growing hospitality industry is expected to create 65,000 new jobs within the next five years*.
Bucking the trend facing traditional hospitality businesses - which are already hard-pressed for quality staff - Geelong-based café and gourmet catering service dal (previously Dial-A-Lunch) is enjoying solid growth through a business model based on employing and training skilled people with disabilities.
Frustrated with the lack of employment opportunities for her daughter, who suffered brain damage caused by measles, Executive Director Marie Kuchenmeister founded dal in Geelong in 1991 as a government-funded Training and Employment Service.
“When you look at dal’s simple beginnings it is hard to believe we now have two busy cafes and a very successful and professional catering business,” Ms Kuchenmeister said.
The service employs and provides a variety of training and employment programs for people with special needs. Employees develop industry skills on -the- job and receive further training at The Gordon Institute of TAFE, including preparation, cooking and presentation of food, delivering to venue and table waiting.
Keen to further increase their expertise, many of dal’s staff has achieved Certificates II and III in Hospitality Studies and one staff member has already completed her New Apprenticeship as a chef.
Australian Disability Training Advisory Council (ADTAC) co-Chair and small business owner Leonie Clyne commends dal’s innovation and urges other hospitality businesses to reap the benefits of employing skilled people with disabilities.
“Hiring people with disabilities takes advantage of a workforce of over 750,000 potential employees. Statistics show employers who hire people with disabilities can also expect to enjoy higher employee loyalty combined with lower levels of absenteeism and lower recruitment costs**.” Ms Clyne said.
Ms Kuchenmeister cites first-hand experience and glowing customer feedback which indicates hiring people with disabilities is a wise decision, for staff, for the business, and for the local community.
“There are so many problems with skill shortages in this industry, I can’t believe more employees aren’t tapping into this ‘hidden workforce’. I know I will always have enough skilled staff to maintain dal’s customer satisfaction as the business continues to grow,” Ms Kuchenmeister said.
Employers seeking information on hiring people with a disability can use the website http://www.jobable.gov.au/ as an information resource. A revised Blueprint for Bridging Pathways – the five-year national VET strategy for people with a disability – was released in December 2004.
For information and copies of Bridging Pathways’ revised blueprint, contact Julie Mackey at ADTAC.
Ph: (03) 9630 9865, email: adtac@anta.gov.au or download from www.anta.gov.au/vetADTAC.asp .
ADTAC is an advisory committee to the Australian National Training Authority Board, and their mission is to create a shared commitment to improve training and employment opportunities for people with a disability through vocational education and training (VET).
*DEWR Job Outlook, June 2004. **DEWR Employee Benefits Flyer, Oct 2004
The 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework (2005 Framework) is offering free workshops to vocational education and training (VET) and adult and community education (ACE) groups during July and August.
The workshops will provide information and demonstrations of the free tools and services available from EdNA Online (http://www.edna.edu.au/ ) and will also allow participants to trial the service.
The workshops will be run by the 2005 Framework’s Knowledge Sharing Services Project, which is responsible for EdNA (Education Network Australian) Online VET Project.
EdNA Online is a national collaborative education project that supports the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) in teaching, learning and research activities across all areas of education and training.
The workshop program includes:
- using EdNA Online Tools and Services for VET
- using EdNA Online Tools and Services for ACE
- using EdNA Groups.
The EdNA Groups workshops will focus on the exciting collaboration opportunities available through EdNA Groups.
Gerry White, CEO of education.au, the national ICT agency which manages EdNA Online, said:
“The development of EdNA Groups is an exciting move for EdNA Online. The power of collaboration is captured in a dynamic and easy-to-use online environment.
“We have been thrilled by the rapid uptake of Groups. Groups were introduced in March 2005 and already there are more than 150 groups across all sectors, and demand is strong. EdNA Groups have definitely met a need in education and training for a collaborative service.”
The VET and ACE workshop program will be:
- SA: 4 July, 22 August – 24 August
- TAS: 11 July - 15 July
- ACT: 18 July – 22 July
- NSW: 25 July – 29 July
- NT: 1 August – 5 August
- WA: 8 August - 12 August
- VIC: 15 August – 19 August
- QLD: 29 August - 31 August
For the workshop outline, full details of the dates, venues and locations, and the registration form go to http://www.edna.edu.au/edna/page3328.html . For more information or for assistance in registering contact EdNA Services Manager Jenny Millea on tel: (08) 8334 3210 or email: askedna@edna.edu.au. For more information on the 2005 Framework visit: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/ .
A new online forum has been established to encourage discussions on the latest international e-learning issues within the vocational education and training (VET) system.
The forum is an initiative of the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework’s (2005 Framework) VET e-learning International Project. The Project aims to position Australian VET in the global knowledge economy as a provider of e-learning know-how and innovative products.
The Global E-learning Connect forum will provide and support knowledge sharing to engage people and organisations in international thinking, events, research and communities in the global e-learning arena.
Global E-learning Connect can be accessed from the 2005 Framework’s Networks Community Forum at: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/networks
If you’d like to share stories, knowledge and connections with colleagues in Australia and around the world, you can log on and start discussions now!
If you need assistance, or for further information on the forum contact Project Manager Jacinta Gascoigne on tel (03) 9661 8719 or email jacinta.gascoigne@eworks.edu.au
For more information on the VET e-learning International Project visit: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-international
The 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework (2005 Framework) is expanding into six new industry areas with the development of Series 8 Flexible Learning Toolboxes.
The 2005 Framework’s Quality e-learning Resources Project, which oversees the development of Toolboxes, has just announced the seven successful developers for Series 8.
The successful groups will be developing a cost effective, high quality e-learning product that can be provided on CD-ROM, which can be installed on a server or used on a stand-alone computer.
The Series 8 developers and their Toolbox’s are:
- Racing Victoria Ltd Certificate II/III in Racing
- Holmesglen Institute of TAFE Certificate III in Furniture Making
- Swan TAFE Certificate III in Furniture Making
- Kangan Batman TAFE Diploma of Aeroskills
- Chisholm Institute of TAFE Certificate IV in Fitness
- TAFE SA Diploma of Event Management
- TAFE SA Regional Indigenous Awareness
Quality e-learning Resources Senior Project Manager Lisa Wait said:
“We are really excited about what the developers will achieve with Series 8 Toolboxes. All the developers we have on board this year are enthusiastic about their area of training and the end product they want to produce for their students.
“We expect Series 8 to achieve the high standards we have come to expect from the previous series of Toolboxes.”
The developers have recently submitted prototypes of their Toolboxes and it is expected the finished products will be ready for sale in December this year.
When completed, the Series 8 Toolboxes will add to the more than 80 Toolboxes currently available, covering a range of educational and industry areas.
Teachers and trainers can use Toolboxes to help deliver more than 135 qualifications and more than 850 competencies. Toolboxes support the online delivery of VET qualifications from Certificate I to Diploma level.
The 2005 Framework provides the VET system with e-learning professional development opportunities, products, resources and support to meet today’s increasingly technology-driven learning environment.
The 2005 Framework is a one-year, $15million national strategy collaboratively funded by the Australian Government and all States and Territories.
For more information on Series 8 Flexible Learning Toolboxes visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/toolbox
A new website, developed by the 2005 Australian Flexible Learning Framework (2005 Framework), is offering the nation’s teachers and trainers a user-friendly guide to the legal loopholes and pitfalls of copyright law.
Copyright Kitchen answers the legal questions encountered by vocational educational and training (VET) practitioners, including course developers and managers such as librarians, as they go about their day-to-day work in training rooms across the country.
The ability of teachers and trainers to rapidly copy and move documents and images is unprecedented. Therefore, to adequately protect themselves from potential litigation, they must also develop an understanding of copyright law and legal obligations.
When using Copyright Kitchen, a user starts by entering the sort of task they want to do, eg copying published text for classroom handouts. Then, they enter their role and whether in the VET system or a private organisation. Copyright Kitchen then provides answers that are tailored to the individual’s needs.
Kate Fannon, Project Manager for the 2005 Framework’s Research and Policy Project, said the site makes dealing with copyright law a less daunting experience.
“The site acts as a guide to cut through the complexity of copyright issues and provides specific links to topic relevant information.”
Copyright Kitchen categorises users’ details, as if they were ingredients in a recipe. Like plain or self-raising flour changes the ‘outcome’ of baking a cake, legal outcomes can be determined by whether the user is in a private or public registered training organisation (RTO).
The site allows users to select a number of common copyright and intellectual property issues including; the length of time copyright lasts, the costs involved for using copyright material and whether teachers are liable for student infringements. If users build a collection of queries, they can start their own personalised cookbook of copyright issues, which can be downloaded onto a personal computer.
If questions are not addressed in Copyright Kitchen, users can post them by clicking on the ‘Contact’ and ‘Feedback’ links. Answers will then be incorporated into the site for future use.
To access the Copyright Kitchen website, visit: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/copyrightkitchen/main.php
For more information on Copyright Kitchen, contact Kate Fannon, Research and Policy Project Manager for the 2005 Framework on tel (08) 8303 2616 or email katefann@tafe.sa.edu.au
For more information about the 2005 Framework’s products, resources or support networks, visit: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/