Inside DFEEST

TAFE SA and Uni offers are out!

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

The wait is over for 8795 students who’ve been offered a place at TAFE SA fortheir preferred course this year with an increase in offers of just over 4 per cent, compared to 2011.

The largest numbers of offers were made in management studies, children and community services, nursing, arts, policing, building and construction.

First round offers and details about places still available can be located on the TAFE SA website.

Of the 18,900 South Australian university offers made for undergraduate courses, more than 8700 students were offered a place in science, engineering, information technology and health-related courses. This represents 46 per cent of the total offers made that supports the aims of the Science, Information, Technology and Engineering (STEM) strategy.

DFEEST is working with schools and universities across the State to increase interest in the STEM fields and look forward to further increases in demand in the future.

Scientist of the Year joins Premier’s Council

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

South Australia’s 2011 Scientist of the Year, Professor Peter Langridge, has joined the Premier’s Science and Industry Council, along with six other prominent South Australian identities. The seven new appointees joined the council on January 1 for a two year term.

The other new members of the Council are:

Professor Suzanne Miller, Director of the South Australian Museum

Professor Lynne Cobiac, Deputy Chief CSIRO Food and Nutritional Sciences

Mr Paul Sandercock, Vice President Asia Pacific, SMR Automotive Australia

Dr Craig Priest, 2011 Tall Poppy and Research Fellow Ian Wark Research Institute, University of South Australia

Mr Kim Scott, BAE Systems, Director of Land Systems Division Business Unit

Mr Mike Heard, Former Chief Executive

The Council was established in 2002 by the State Government. It provides independent advice on how best to use the capabilities we have in science, research and innovation for South Australia’s benefit.

The Council has reprioritised it’s focus on developing the State’s science and research capabilities in the critical area of adaptation to industry as recommended by the ‘Thinker in Residence’, Professor Göran Roos, and in the establishment of the Department for Manufacturing, Innovation, Trade, Resources and Energy.

SANFL Indigenous Traineeship Program

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

The South Australian National Football League (SANFL) Indigenous Traineeship Program has achieved excellent success with their trainees this year, with three out of four being offered a place at the University of Adelaide commencing in 2012.

The South Australian Aboriginal Sports Training Academies (SAASTA), in alliance with the SANFL has created a traineeship program for Aboriginal students that have successfully completed Year 12. Students are selected from schools around South Australia to undertake a one to two year Traineeships in Community, Sport and Recreation, with guidance provided to transition into further employment and ongoing studies.

Kieran Stone from Glossop, Dimos Tsakaridis from Coober Pedy and Joseph Zadow from North East Metro Junior Football Association, successfully applied to join the University of Adelaide in 2012. They will commence in March with Joseph and Kieran undertaking a Bachelor of Arts while Dimos will study teaching.

In addition, the SANFL is working to keep Kieran, Joe and Dimos involved in the program as mentors to other Aboriginal footballers on a casual basis, working around their studies.

The fourth trainee, Graham Walker of Maitland, is going onto study to become a diesel mechanic through the CEG (Cav Power) initiative.

The SANFL has thanked DFEEST, DEEWR and CEG for their support with the program, indicating that this success was made more achievable with support from these departments.

Impact of NBN in Willunga

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:30:00 +0000

A new report, commissioned by the State Government, charts the introduction and reaction to the National Broadband Network (NBN) to Willunga, south of Adelaide.

The report, by Dr Mel Gregg ‘Willunga Connects: a baseline study of pre-NBN Willunga’, indicates the community reaction to the new service has been positive, with a significant take up rate of connections.

The wider cultural impact of high speed broadband will facilitate and strengthen social and economic relationships that can enhance the fabric of civic life. There are many large-scale community opportunities the NBN can deliver, particularly in the provision of health and education services.

Significant benefits can be derived from educating the community both in understanding the technology of broadband and in providing examples on the potential use of the NBN.

The Government of South Australia has delivered an online digital literacy learning resource called ‘ForwardIT’. It is available for free to citizens and organisations such as libraries, community centres, job seeking agencies, not for profits and industry to assist in the development of digital literacy skills and capabilities.

Dr Gregg’s public report is available at http://www.dfeest.sa.gov.au/ or by calling 8207 8701.

ForwardIT is available at http://www.forwardit.sa.gov.au/

Nominations open for James Tizard Memorial Prize

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Nominations are open now for the $5000 James Tizard Memorial Prize, which recognises innovative research, advanced through the use of eResearch infrastructure.

The prize is a tribute to the contribution made by James Tizard to the Australian eResearch landscape and will highlight the critical role that eResearch infrastructure plays in supporting research advances.

The prize is open to Australian researchers best able to demonstrate the role played by eResearch infrastructure in the success of their research endeavours. To be eligible, the researcher must be affiliated with an Australian university or publicly funded research organisation.

James Tizard was a key figure in the South Australian and national delivery of ICT based infrastructure to support research and education. From a career in the South Australian public sector, including with the Department of Further Education, Employment Science and Training, Mr Tizard went on to head up the South Australian Broadband Research and Education Network (SABRENet). He was also the project director for the $37 million Super Science National Research Networks project, which is enhancing and extending the Australian Research and Education network.

Further details on how to apply and information on submission requirements can be found on the eResearch Australasia web site.

TAFE SA has highest student satisfaction rate in Aust

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

An annual report card recently released shows more than 90 per cent of South Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) students are satisfied with the overall quality of their training.

Employment, Higher Education and Skills Minister, Tom Kenyon said the results of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) Student Outcomes Survey 2011 were a stamp of approval for the State’s training system.

The 90 per cent figure is above the national average and is the second highest figure of the States and Territories. For TAFE SA graduates alone, the satisfaction level figure was even higher at 91 per cent – again above the national average of 89.5 per cent and the highest of all the government-funded TAFE’s in the States and Territories.

Another pleasing result was that nearly 20 per cent of VET graduates in South Australia employed before their training found jobs at a higher skill level after completing their training.
In addition, the NCVER quarterly report on apprentices and trainees showed there continues to be high numbers of apprentices and trainees currently in training with 34,400 as at June 30 2011, an increase of four per cent from June 30 2010.

Commencements in South Australian increased by 4.8 per cent, or about 1100 people over the year to June 30 2011, and the number of completions in SA over the same period increased by 5.2 per cent, or 600, to 12,400, which was the highest number on record.

TaSC 5 year plan launched

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

The State’s Training and Skills Commission released the annual update of its Skills for Jobs five-year plan mid last week. The update focuses on the demand and supply of qualifications over the five-year period to 2014-15, including a detailed analysis on the skilling requirements for specialist occupations in South Australia.

The Commission, which advises the Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills on skills and workforce development priorities, estimates that growth in the South Australian economy combined with replacement demand will result in 163,000 job openings. Of these jobs, 69,000 are new and 94,000 will be replacement demand resulting from people leaving the workforce.

The Commission’s advice in the 2011 plan focuses on the implementation of the State Government’s Skills for All reforms to revitalise the vocational education and training sector into a demand-driven system that is more responsive to the needs of students and business.

Credit Union SA acknowledges TAFE SA excellence

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

TAFE SA Regional Manufacturing, Engineering and Transport Training Manager Tim Jones and TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute Administration Manager, Regency International Centre Jo-Anne Van Zyl, were winners at the annual Credit Union SA/ TAFE SA Excellence Awards held at the Adelaide College of the Arts last week.

Tim, winner of the Educational Delivery and Educational Management Award, is recognised for being dedicated to providing the best possible service to enterprises and students and having the drive to find innovative solutions in an ever-changing environment. Tim’s energy and commitment to providing high quality training has had a positive effect on staff, students and industry. He is considered a positive role model and is an inspiring leader.

Jo-Anne, winner of the Corporate and Education Services Award is recognised for her integrity and credibility, for her organisational ability in meeting commitments and for consistently acting out of personal conviction. Jo-Anne is highly regarded by staff as being honest, loyal, reliable and approachable and always has the best interest of the work unit and organisation as her first priority.

Finalists and winners were presented with their certificates by Ms Leesa Vlahos MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier (representing the Hon Tom Kenyon MP), and prize money was presented by Mr Robert Clapp, Business Development Manager, Credit Union SA.

TAFE SA wishes to thank Credit Union SA for their continued and generous support of the awards. Thanks to Credit Union SA, all finalists received a cash prize of $500 and each winner received $1,500.

SA Wins Five National Training Awards

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

TAFE SA scooped five awards at the 2011 Australian Training Awards held in Brisbane on Friday, 25 November.

South Australian award recipients were:

- South Australia’s TAFE SA Regional was named Large Training Provider of the Year
Vanessa Corbell, who trained at the TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute, was named the Vocational Student of the Year
- Dr Lewis Vaughan at TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute won the Silver Prize as runner up for best VET Teacher in Australia
- Murray Bridge Veterinary Clinic was named Small Business of the Year with TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute as their training partner
- Alexander Nikielski was named runner up for Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year. Alexander studies at St Patricks College and TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute is the training provider.

South Australia had ten finalists in this year’s national awards, which is significant representation of our State.

The achievements of the finalists are a credit to the South Australian VET system, and demonstrate our State’s commitment to expanding its skills base as well as increase the proportion of South Australians with higher level qualifications, though our Skills for All reforms.

TAFE SA Regional wins Large Training Provider of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

In the first of a series showcasing the National Training Award winners, this week features TAFE SA Regional.

TAFE SA Regional delivers 420 nationally accredited qualifications at 43 sites across all regional and remote areas of South Australia. In 2010, TAFE SA Regional enrolled more than 26,000 students.

Courses are provided through a range of delivery methods, including classroom, e-learning, work-based, self-paced and through recognition of prior learning.

As South Australia largest regional training provider this achievement is a credit to the South Australian VET system, and demonstrates our State’s commitment to expanding its skills base as well as increasing the proportion of South Australians with higher level qualifications.

TAFE SA Regional has developed a video clip now available on youtube.com to reach a wider audience with their promotional activities.

Funding released for VET E-Learning strategy

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

The Higher Qualification Pathways Projects seeks applications for Stage 1 funding of up to $30,000.
The Higher Qualification Pathways Project is part of the Learner Pathways business activity of the National VET E-learning Strategy. It aims to assist learners to pursue educational pathways through e-learning programs and gain higher qualifications.

This is an opportunity for registered training organisations, businesses and community organisations to seek funding to investigate new, innovative technology-based delivery and/or support models to assist students to gain a Diploma or higher VET qualifications.

Successful applicants will be funded to undertake a pilot trial during January to June 2012. For further information regarding the funding or the application process please contact Allison Miller on 0400 732 270 or 08 8207 8872.

Applications close 4.30 pm on Monday 12 December 2011.

Credit Union SA/TAFE SA Excellence Awards

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:30:00 +0000

The Credit Union SA/TAFE SA Excellence Awards celebrate outstanding contributions by administrative or teaching staff in TAFE SA. The Award categories for 2011 are Corporate and Education Services, and Educational Delivery and Educational Management.

Congratulations to the following TAFE SA staff who have been named finalists:

Corporate and Education Services:
Amanda Cruse, TAFE SA Regional
Tim Goldsmith, TAFE SA Regional
Simon Pollard, TAFE SA Regional
Marika Thorpe, TAFE SA South Institute
Jo-Anne Van Zyl, TAFE SA Adelaide North Institute

Educational Delivery and Educational Management:
Cheryl Baldwin, TAFE SA North Institute
Gina Graham, TAFE SA North Institute
Paul Johnson, TAFE SA Regional
Tim Jones, TAFE SA Regional
Alison Smith, TAFE SA South Institute

An award ceremony will be held tomorrow afternoon at the Adelaide College of the Arts where finalists will be acknowledged and one winner in each category announced.

Breaking new ground in exploration

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Adelaide now has Australia’s first purpose designed site for drilling technology testing and training at Brukunga, just near Nairne in the Adelaide Hills.

The opening of the facility follows establishment of the Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre in Adelaide last year. The Research Centre is a ‘world first’, dedicated to developing technologies that permit more cost-effective, safer and more environmentally-friendly ways to drill, analyse and target new mineral deposits.

Its programs will lead to improved efficiency in mineral exploration, which will help Australia remain globally competitive in both the export of mineral resources and mining technology.

Although Brukunga is a former minesite, no mining will be undertaken; rather it will be used as a driller training school. The school will enable hands-on drilling training in a minesite with camp-style accommodation, catering, classrooms and other training opportunities such as ‘at heights’, ‘enclosed spaces’ and ‘fire safety’.”

Training for Aboriginal interpreters wins award

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

TAFE SA has been recognised for Indigenous training in interpreting, by the Australian Institute of Interpreters and Translators Inc. for its delivery of the Diploma in Interpreting in the APY Lands and other parts of South Australia.

The award is recognition of the programs successful three years of operation that has seen 12 South Australia Aboriginal students trained as interpreters and another five expected to graduate soon. Several graduates have gained employment in a range of positions and two other graduates have continued their studies with a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment.

TAFE SA is now playing an important role in setting up an Aboriginal interpreting service in South Australia.

The prestigious AUSIT Excellence Awards recognise the outstanding achievements of translators and interpreters throughout the country and bring together the leading figures of the Australian translation and interpreting industry with government and other industry stakeholders.

MEEA Woolworths Indigenous Trainees graduate

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

11 Riverland trainees recently graduated from the Woolworths Employment program, run by the Mining Energy and Engineering Alliance.
Over a 10 week period the trainees were assisted to overcome barriers to employment through working in group and individual sessions and will have mentoring support made available to them over the next two years.

As a result of participating in the program 9 of the Trainees have secured positions within the Woolworths Group, and anticipated that the remaining trainees will secure employment in the near future.

The graduation was well attended by sponsors and government representatives. Trainees were presented their certificates by Ken Liddle of DFEEST on Behalf of Minister Kenyon and Chris Sheedy of DEEWR.

Partnership success for indigenous people

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Nine participants in an Aboriginal Employment Program have been successful in gaining a 3 month contract with ADCIV Civil Engineering contractors and are in a strong position to be offered full time employment and their Certificate III’s.

The program commenced with 13 participants, all of whom successfully completed the Certificate II in Civil construction.

The six week program developed in partnership with ADCIV, Playford Alive, DFEEST, Maxima and CivilTrain SA provided participants with experience in brick paving, landscaping and concreting. They also learnt other important aspects of civil construction including Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare. The course consisted of five weeks theory and practical work followed by one week of work experience.

Well done everyone for a very successful employment programme!

Skills for All

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:46:00 +0000

Becoming a registered Skills for All provider

The application process to apply to become a Skills for All provider has now opened.
There is no closing date for the application process. Training providers are encouraged to start to build their applications as soon as possible.
An indication of those training providers that have been successful in the process will be published in early April 2012. This list will be updated over time as more providers are added.

Subsidised Training List released

The Subsidised Training List is now also available to training providers seeking to deliver Skills for All funded training.
The Subsidised Training List includes more than 1300 selected qualifications from national Training Packages and accredited courses that are deemed to meet the diverse and growing skill needs of individuals and industry.

It has been released to inform applicants seeking to become Skills for All training providers of the courses that will be subsidised through Skills for All from 1 July 2012.

For more information about becoming a Skills for All provider or about the Subsidised Training list, please visit the Skills for All website.

FIRST LEGO League South Australian Tournament

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:44:00 +0000

The AAMI Stadium is usually associated with fierce sporting contests but recently it was the venue for a very different type of competitive endeavour.

The Crow’s Shed was transformed as it became the scene of intellectual rivalry between teams participating in the FIRST LEGO League South Australian Tournament. A total of 26 teams and over 200 students participated in the event.
FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) is a global program closely aligned to the STEM strategy both of which seek to instil a passion for science and technology in students.

The FIRST LEGO League encourages 9 to 16 year olds to work in teams to build motorised robots from LEGO components. The students research and present innovative solutions to real world problems using science and technology, along with demonstrating team work during the lead up to the tournament.

The Tournament was sponsored by BAE Systems, SAGE Automation and DFEEST.

Education campus wins Civic Trust Award

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:42:00 +0000

TAFE SA Victor Harbor Campus has been recognised for its sustainable architectural design as the winner of the Ian MacDonald award, presented by the Australian Civic Trust. This award acknowledges the buildings’ success in focusing on student and staff amenity and design, to accommodate the growing number and diversity of students in the Fleurieu Peninsula region.

The campus has had a 30 per cent increase in enrolments since the building opened in January 2011 and has reduced its mains water consumption to an average of 30 litres a day. This campus is an excellent example of TAFE SA transforming its products, services and business practices to proactively respond to state and national sustainability policy.

TAFE SA Victor Harbor Campus currently accommodates 550 students in courses including enrolled nursing, aged care, disability business administration and community services work.
The collaborative effort between TAFE SA Regional, Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST) and Department of Transport, Energy and Infrastructure (DTEI) ensured the outcomes of this project were realised.

Aboriginal job seekers

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 22:39:00 +0000

Aboriginal job seekers will have the opportunity to undertake training likely to lead to employment opportunities in the advanced manufacturing sector through a targeted project developed by the State Government and industry.

The training will be in a range of Certificate II qualifications, including Engineering, Electrotechnology and Sustainable Energy, and will be tailored to the needs of the industry and the 69 participants.

The $567,000 project is being funded through the Productivity Places Program and will help job seekers enter the labour market with skills and qualifications that are in high demand. The program supports the State Government’s jobs strategy to create 100,000 additional apprenticeships and training places over six years.

Phase 1 of Skills in the Workplace starts

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

The first phase of the Skills in the Workplace program has commenced. Skills in the Workplace is a State Government funded program that subsidises accredited training, focussing on the skill demands and needs of SA employers.

An important part of Skills for All, Skills in the Workplace subsidises accredited training in high value-add industry sectors, focussing on the skill demands and needs of SA employers in those industries.

In particular it will fund training for urgently needed, industry-critical skills and specialised occupations, with industry expected to contribute to the cost of the training as well.
Participation in the first phase of Skills in the Workplace is by invitation with an open application process to apply with the full implementation of the program early in 2012.

For more information download the Skills in the Workplace fact sheet.

TAFE SA solar car back on the road

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Last Sunday a team of students tested modifications to their solar car, SolarSpirit Australia on Port Wakefield Road in preparation for the next World Solar Challenge.
With the experience gained from competing in last month’s Veolia World Solar Challenge, the TAFE SA team have modified the solar car’s electric drive system to increase motor torque, while improving the efficiency of the vehicle at highway speeds. This road trial allowed the team to test and analyse design effectiveness.

TAFE SA’s solar car project is linked to the South Australian Government initiative Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Skills Strategy, aimed at increasing the supply of people taking up STEM occupations to meet the growing needs and demands of our local industries, including engineering and defence.

SolarSpirit Australia promotes TAFE SA’s Renewable Energy Centre at the Regency Campus and the Engineering training facility and is attracting more people into science, technology, engineering and maths in vocational training.

New Carbon Accounting Course at TAFE SA

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

TAFE SA recently launched a Carbon Accounting short course specifically developed to improve literacy and numeracy skills relating to the challenges of sustainability and climate change.
The short course consists of two units offered in a three day workshop environment and is designed for students and professionals with a background in sustainability, environmental management, accounting and policy.

The course includes comprehensive content and learning materials, and fosters self‐directed investigation. Students will learn how to identify emission sources and interpret the National Greenhouse Accounts Factors into real data. They are taught how to think critically about the best efficiency and emission reduction strategies and compile these into a complete carbon report.

Course Facilitator and industry expert Trisha Drioli says the power and simplicity of this methodology will enable government and business to become ‘carbon literate’ and compare performance across industry and business sectors.

For more information visit www.tafesa.edu.au/carbon

2012 MasterChef Australia auditions

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

From 55 South Australian hopefuls, 24 were selected to audition at the John Reynell Restaurant at TAFE SA Noarlunga Campus recently. Contestants' culinary skills were judged to determine who would secure a place in Channel Ten’s 2012 MasterChef Australia.

TAFE SA Cookery Lecturers Chris Imgraben and Dustin Rodgers hosted the Channel Ten production crew and contestants during the full day event. Runner-up Michael Weldon, from the 2011 MasterChef Australia series called into the campus whilst contestants were being put through their paces.

So far, the MasterChef Australia series have had South Australian representation in every final cook-off. Fingers crossed that SA can go one better next year and take out the 2012 title!

A leader in plant genomic technology named as the 2011 Scientist of the Year

noreply@blogger.com (DFEEST) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 22:30:00 +0000

Professor Peter Langridge, Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics, has been awarded the 2011 South Australian Scientist of the Year at the South Australian Science Excellence Awards.

Eight other awards, in four new categories, were presented to outstanding PhD researchers, STEM professionals and STEM educators in the early stages of their careers at the Awards Gala Dinner on Thursday 3 November 2011 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Professor Langridge was recognised for his key role in driving innovative applications to improve agricultural products critical for global food security, and for his advice and support to the developed and developing world on cereal breeding programs.

For the full list of this year’s winners visit the SA Science Excellence Awards website.