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Welcome to the August 2011 VISTA Newsletter 1
Welcome to the first August 2011 newsletter. There are a range of articles for your information and interest.
"Big Picture" issues
The first focus is on the skilled migration debate. This debate was prompted by an excellent Insight program a few weeks ago. This newsletter links you with the excellent debate between the Hon Chris Evans, Ross Gittens, Bernard Salt, Bob Birrell and more. The second big and emerging issue relates to the growing spectre of job losses in response to the perceived slowing of Australia's economy. We are witnessing this phenomenon in the retail sector now but the spread is starting into other service areas. This newsletter points to some of the emerging issues (particularly in retail) and will take this up in greater detail in the next newsletter as these issues consolidate.
Policy and strategy context events
August and September is a busy time for VISTA events. Two breakfast events on very topical issues are open for registration. The first breakfast is an MCG event (6th September) where we will explore how the Victorian skills reform agenda is travelling following the first 2 quarters of fully contestable funding. Wendy Timms (Executive Director of Skills Victoria’s market facilitation branch) will outline the trends and issues emerging from the first two quarterly provider reporting. The second breakfast (at Rydges on Swanston 9th September) explores the new national funding initiatives from DEEWR and the structural changes at DEEWR to support these new initiatives.
Pedagogy and industry context events
There are two events on 1st September: VISTA VALA conference which looks at applied learning and engaging young learners will be held at the William Angliss Conference Centre. Later that night there will be a Fireside Chat with Service Skills Australia. The conference focuses on the importance of applied learning for engaging young people whilst the Fireside Chat explores the developments in retail and wholesale, sport, fitness, community recreation, outdoor recreation, travel, tours, meetings and events, accommodation, restaurants and catering, caravans, hairdressing, beauty, floristry, community pharmacy and funeral services industries. This fireside chat is particularly timely given the significant challenges facing the retail sector (read more about the retail sector in this newsletter).
Other Events
VISTA AGM is on Monday 29th August at Dimattinas. Register through the events section
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Skill Shortages and Skilled Migration debate
There was an interesting discussion on SBS Insight (26th July 2011). The discussion explored the links between skill shortages and skilled migration strategies. The SBS overview headlined the following, "Australia is in the midst of a resource rush and there simply aren’t enough suitable people to fill all the jobs. In the next four years alone, it’s estimated we’ll need another 2.4 million skilled workers. But what’s the best way to get them?"
The discussion elicited many viewpoints from audience members including Minister Chris Evans;researchers and commentators (Bob Birrell, Bernard Salt, Ross Gittens); some people who have experienced the challenges of being a skilled migrant in Australia (Natalie Garcia, Ram Upadhyay); and employers (Peter Goode).
The federal government’s new system – which came into effect this month – is making it easier than ever for Australian businesses to bring in overseas labour. But while skilled migration is a quick solution, there are concerns that it means local workers are less likely to receive valuable training. Amongst many points of discussion, Ross Gittens raised the critical issue of challenging cause and effect impacts on past and present Government strategies to maintain a constant supply of skill bases rather than the stop start response to immediate industry skill demand.
And it doesn’t always work out well for the migrants either. There are scores of engineers, nurses and accountants who come all the way to Australia and end up as cleaners. Insight looked at what is the best outcome for migrants themselves, for Australia’s skilled workforce, and for the wider population [ReadMore]
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Jobs lost as Australian economy appears to slow
THE high Australian dollar and a slowdown in the non-mining sectors of the economy have claimed their first mass casualties, with Qantas and steelmaker OneSteel announcing job cuts and banking giant Westpac eyeing cutbacks. The productivity argument appears to be taking significant steps to claim stronger policy space in the perceived weakening economic position of Australia Read More... |
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Industry trends - reshaping the retail sector (learnings from the productivity commission report)
The Productivity Commission, recently released its report into the retail sector. It surmised that although lowering the tax-free threshold was desirable and would raise more than $460 million in GST revenue, the administrative costs would far exceed this amount. Despite claims to the contrary, the commission found the effect of this ‘‘tax loophole’’ on the retail sector was minor because the average cost of parcels arriving in Australia and exploiting the exemption was less than $100. For some cases, the gap between local and overseas prices is greater than the combined tax and duties. This has led many to conclude that some retailers have not passed on the benefits of Australia’s stronger dollar to customers, adding further to consumer dissatisfaction. The report estimated that online retailing, which now accounts for about 6 per cent ($12.6 billion) of retail sales, will continue to grow. To allow traditional retailers to respond to the challenges this poses, the commission recommended reforming ‘‘inflexible’’ labour laws, changing zoning regulations and trading-hour restrictions.
Come to the VISTA Fireside Chat with Service Skills Australia (1st September) to find out more.
Read More...
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$558 million training reform funding
On 11 August, 2011, the Gillard Government launched a $558 million fund which will provide 130,000 Australians with the opportunity to learn new skills for jobs in sectors suffering from critical skill shortages.
“The National Workforce Development Fund marks a new direction in training Australians which puts industry at the heart of the process, Minister for Skills and Jobs,” Senator Chris Evans said. Coupled with this is the $75 million in 2011-12 through the Critical Skills Investment Fund (CSIF) which forms a part National Workforce Development Fund. The CSIF will increase the workforce capacity and productivity of critical industries, with the first round being targeted at the resources and renewable energy sectors.
Find out more at the 9th September VISTA Breakfast event with DEEWR. Read More... |
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Education export losses nullify resource gains
Lost income from international students, tourism and manufacturing are cancelling out Australia's resource export gains, according to forecasters Deloitte Access Economics (John Ross, The Australian, 25th July 2011) . Read More... |
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IELTS study: unis failing foreign students with one-size-fits-all approach
Crikey senior journalist Andrew Crook wrote that "...fresh doubt has been cast on the admission of foreign students into Australian universities, with a new study revealing academic gatekeepers are recklessly abusing a blunt instrument that fails to properly gauge basic English language skills."
In a scathing assessment of higher education admissions practices published in the latest issue of Language Assessment Quarterly, Melbourne University's Kieran O'Loughlin takes a scalpel to the uncritical use of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), revealing "serious flaws in the interpretation and use of test scores", as universities jostle for foreign cash.
Read More... |
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Industry input "hamstrung" by training packages
Training packages might have the endorsement of their respective industry bodies, but they still prevent courses from being modified to address industry concerns, a Sydney skills symposium heard last week (John Ross, The Australian, 21 July, 2011).
Anthony Bohm, CEO of distance learning provider Cengage Education, said training packages stifled creativity and innovation.
“In doing, so they stifle competition,” he told the Service Skills Australia forum. Read More... of John Ross's article |
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Regional alliance strategy underway
Victoria's $20 million fund to expand the regional delivery of degrees through alliances between universities and vocational providers requires proposals to be closely linked to regional economic development strategies. The Australian (20th July, 2011) reported that "...proposals developed in partnership with and/or endorsed by local industry, employers, chambers of commerce and local councils will be regarded favourably," say fund application guidelines released mid July.
The fund isn't limited to universities and TAFEs. Private providers who already receive government funding are also able to apply so long as consortia include as least one accredited higher education provider. The fund also extends to the adult and community education sector. David Battersby (vice chancellor University of Ballarat), noted, " this nation is witnessing the most sustained public policy focus on regional tertiary education provision in its history |
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Management Positions at VU
On behalf of VISTA conference sponsors, Slade Partners, VISTA is pleased to alert VISTA members and VET professionals in general to a range of management positions available for recruitment. The Faculty of Technical & Trades Innovation (TTI) is home to three Schools that deliver training in critical skills areas; Construction Industries, Engineering & Industrial Training and Service Industries.
TTI’s strategic intent includes a commitment to national leadership in modernising the apprenticeship system, starting with TradeApps.
Suitably qualified and experienced education professionals are invited to apply for the following positions:
Education Manager – Diploma and Pathways
Education Manager – Entry Level Programs
Education Manager – Engineering Trades
Education Manager – Diploma Programs, Engineering
Education Manager – Financial Services
Education Manager – International
Education Manager – Management, Retail & Small Business
Team leader – Teaching & Learning, Sports and Science
These roles require you to lead and manage the day to day operations of the relevant program area including the effective and efficient use of resources, timetabling, human resource requirements and the implementation of enterprise bargaining requirements.
Reporting to the Head of School, you will be responsible for coordinating staffing and resources and assist in supervising the educational and business activities of the programs in the School.
As a change agent you will be involved in validating course content, delivery and assessment of the programs in the School ensuring there is an emphasis on modern and contemporary approaches to pedagogy that meets the needs of the learner and their effective participation in local and international areas.
If you have a recognised teacher training background with the passion, commitment and proven track record in supporting a team to achieve high quality outcomes, this position will allow you to work largely autonomously, as well as within a team environment to engage staff and inspire students to learn, providing a foundation for their careers and their future participation in the workforce.
Position Descriptions are available at www.sladepartners.com.au/infobooklet To apply, visit our website www.sladepartners.com.au quoting the relevant Ref No. Include with your application a current CV together with a covering letter addressing the selection criteria. For a confidential discussion, please contact Vivianne Nikou, Andrew Worner or Paul Richardson on (03) 9235 5117. Applications close Friday 19 August, 2011
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Secret Trainers' Business: 10 ways to help trainers build confidence
This week I was working with a team of new trainers in one of our government departments. In spite of being professionally qualified in their content area, and having training qualifications, the biggest obstacle to delivering a great training session for them was simply their lack of confidence in their own training ability. So I compiled a list of confidence boosters for those new to or nervous about training a group of learners.
1. Run through your session (or parts of it) with a colleague before you present it to your learners. Ask for, and act on, feedback.
2. Listen to the voices in your head! What are you telling yourself about the upcoming session? Turn negative talk into positive: “I am feeling confident”, “This is going to be a great session”, and similar positive affirmations will positively prepare you for the session ahead.
3. Have a strategy that you run before the session – play your favourite motivating song, run through the introduction in your head, dot point your main ideas. Turn this into a ritual you do every time you run a session.
4. Don’t worry about not having all the answers! If you don’t know the answer to a question, someone else in the room might, or you can find out and get back to the asker. Adult learners respect trainers who acknowledge the experience they bring to the room.
5. Rather than thinking of the session as a ‘presentation’, consider it as a conversation that you’re having with the different people in the room.
6. Smile and make eye contact. Smiling makes you look confident (fake it till you make it!).
7. Wear clothes that make you feel confident and comfortable.
8. Come from a place of service – ask yourself: What do I know and what can I do that will best serve the people in the room? It’s about them, not you!
9. Be organised. Arrive 45minutes or more before the session so that you can set up the room, organise your handouts, arrange tables etc.
10. Know that there will always be room for improvement, so be kind to yourself. If things don’t go well ask: What can I learn from that? What will I do differently as a result?
Tania Tytherleigh is the Director of the Master Trainers Institute Australia, which delivers professional development programs for the Vista network. Don’t miss these upcoming VISTA events:
Secret Trainers Business - Ice Breakers
Event Date - 14 Sep 2011
Professional Series Masterclass - Social Influence
Event Date - 29 Sep 2011
Don’t forget to register for our Secret Trainers Business Lunchtime Learnings Webinars – Free for VISTA members.
Tuesday 30 August 2011 12pm – 1pm: 14 Secrets to Create Inspired Learning
Thursday 8 September 2011 12pm – 1pm: How to be a Rockstar Trainer
To register for these webinars, or find out more about the professional development courses offered by the Master Trainers Institute Australia, email Tania at info@mastertrainersinstitute.com or visit www.mastertrainersinstitute.com
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