Welcome to the December 2011 VISTA Newsletter
Welcome to the December 2011 newsletter.  The VISTA Executive Committee  wishes all readers a merry Christmas and happy New Year. The committee and executive  trust everyone will have an opportunity for some  relaxation over the festive season break, particularly after the hectic year we have all experienced.

This year has seen a record number of 41VISTA  events ranging from conferences, fireside chats, MCG Breakfasts, Forums, and skill development programs.  This appears to be in keeping with the rapid rate of federal and state VET policy developments.

Whilst we may be thinking of slowing down toward the end of the year, the reality is that VISTA is stepping up plans to take events to wider range of regional locations in 2012. 

The VISTA Committee thanks you for your patronage in 2011 and looks forward to providing more events which support you, as VET professionals, to gain further insights into and understanding of the evolving VET policy and strategy envirionment.

Recent Events

The last three events for 2011 saw big numbers of attendees at the VET Reform update, finding out about the role and function of the National Skills Standards council, and attanding the final Fireside Chat (with Rod Cooke CEO Community services and Health) at Warrnambool.

2012 VISTA Residential Conference

The conference (Balgownie Estate Vineyard and Spa) will be held 20 - 22 May 2012. The call for papers is now open and abstract submissions can be lodged on line.  More information about this conference will be available in the new year.

Farewell to Julie Baker

It is with sadness that the VISTA committee farewells Julie Baker.  Julie has served the VISTA community for many years and her wonderful support for members, event registrants and potential members is legendary.  Julie has moved to take up a full time position at the Melbourne VIC Swimming Centre and all VISTA committee members and general members wish her very well in her new venture.  Her cheerful and helpful manner and great behind the scenes support will be missed by all.

This edition

Enjoy reading some interesting articles which explore the emerging challenges for industry and VET in 2012, examine VET reserach which emerged over the past month,  and reflect on entreprise leadership attributes innovation attributes.

Enjoy this newsletter

The Role of TAFE in Australia - challenging paradigm changes?
 The changing paradigms of VET business is bring out discussions from a range of differing perspectives. Skills Australia has called on the government to clearly articulate the role of TAFE as the public provider network in Australia. “This federal policy makes it clear that defining exactly what Australia requires of our public provider network of TAFE (Technical and Further Education) was much needed ahead of new funding agreements,” according to TDA CEO Martin Riordan. Riordan puts the position that TAFE is placed to support Australia's economic aspirations  by, amongst other thuings, providing access to quality training for the lower socio-economic students.  This, according to TDA is the key for participation and achieving COAG targets, and lifting productivity.

Meanwhile Minister Chris Evans was also reported being supportive of competition among providers, but repeated his view that TAFE can perform a central role in a competitive environment. “There is a role for healthy competition to promote greater responsiveness to both employers and students, but I believe this can be achieved while recognising and supporting the central role public providers play in skilling Australia.” (Campus review, Nov 2011). Read More... about this discussion

The Big Issues for 2012
Futurist Craig James asks the big questions about what to expect in 2012. James wrote, "Murphy's Law states: Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong. And clearly 2011 could be best described as the year when Murphy's Law reigned." So what will 2012 bring?

Leon Gettler also raises seven areas for management consideration regarding challenges in 2012.  Read More...

Your Own Worst Enemies
Innovative practice challenges organisations as well as individuals.  Ill thought through practices can lead to significant loss of efficiency gain and a loss of a productive learning cycle. Reinventing the wheel can be a colossal waste of resources. That’s why adopting and adapting best practices is such a powerful and economical way to drive innovation and performance. But you have to be able to identify best practices before you can put them to work. One of the most common mistakes managers make in seeking out best practices is to overlook those that come from outside their own companies — they’ve got the “not invented here” mind-set.

Louis Carter (http://www.strategy-business.com/article/ac00030?pg=1) reviewed a book by Carol Sandford where she argued that some executives sometimes assume that best practices can come only from big, well-known companies that look and act like their own companies.
Best practices can be found in surprising places, and the most valuable practices may come from companies that are most unlike your own.  Read More...

Industry Trends - Residential Building
Home ownership is the cornerstone of the great Australian dream, as it can provide financial and emotional security for households and typically represents their largest lifetime investment. Housing investment also plays a vital role within the economy, as it can influence the pace of general economic growth, while providing an important fiscal and monetary policy nexus between governments and households.  Read More...

More research links
Recent research links abound at this time of the year. To obtain links to NCVER and DEECD research articles, please Read More...