Annual report 2007

In 2007, the New South Wales Department of Education and Training (NSW DET) provided education and training services to over 1,371,000 students through an extensive network of government schools, TAFE NSW Institutes, the National Art School (NAS) and the Adult Migrant English Service (AMES). The NSW DET provided: preschool, primary and secondary school education; vocational education and training (VET) programs and services; TAFE NSW industry-recognised VET qualifications; apprenticeships and traineeships; and tertiary courses in fine art.

Students comprise preschoolers to adult learners from culturally and geographically diverse backgrounds. In 2007 there were: 4,239 government preschool students; 431,618 government primary school students; 307,018 full-time equivalent government secondary school students; 497,747 TAFE NSW student enrolments; 129,100 apprentices and trainees in training; and 1,605 National Art School students.

Total recurrent and capital expenses incurred by the Department in 2006-07 were $10,635.5 million. The Department’s 2007-08 budget provides $11,077.5 million in recurrent and capital funding for education and training services. This includes: $69 million over four years in recurrent and capital funding for the Learn or Earn program which includes the provision of 15 new trade schools across schools and TAFE colleges; and $46.8 million over four years in recurrent funding for the Training our Workforce initiative to generate 33,253 additional training opportunities, including establishing a network of 10 NSW Skill Centres.

The NSW State Plan provides overall direction for improvement and is a major influence on our priorities for 2008. Priorities include: closing the performance gap between Aboriginal students and all students, at schools and at TAFE; increasing the proportion of the population aged 20-24 years who have completed Year 12 or recognised vocational training through increased curriculum choice, expanded pathways and additional school based apprenticeships, TAFE places and trade schools; increasing the proportion of the population aged 15-64 years participating in VET by targeting existing workers and populations marginally engaged in the workforce through customised training and non-traditional delivery strategies; improving access to training in rural and regional NSW through regional trade schools, additional training places in skill shortage areas and an expansion of commercial training; and partnering with industry and employers to assist them to deliver customised workforce development solutions that improve enterprise productivity.

Excerpt from publication.

In 2007, the New South Wales Department of Education and Training (NSW DET) provided education and training services to over 1,371,000 students through an extensive network of government schools, TAFE NSW Institutes, the National Art School (NAS) and the Adult Migrant English Service (AMES). The NSW DET provided: preschool, primary and secondary school education; vocational education and training (VET) programs and services; TAFE NSW industry-recognised VET qualifications; apprenticeships and traineeships; and tertiary courses in fine art.

Students comprise preschoolers to adult ...  [+] Show more