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The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) was asked by TAFE Directors Australia to consider, in a discussion paper for their conference held on the Gold Coast in September 2009, how the trend towards an integrated tertiary sector impacts on the way NCVER thinks about its research and statistical activities. It has been apparent for some time that it makes little sense to consider vocational and higher education research issues in isolation. A research and information base covering the whole of the tertiary education sector would better reflect the realities of the system and provide a more coherent platform for policy. In addition, an integrated approach to statistical collections is desirable, taking into account the need for a common core set of standards and a unique student identifier to assist in the coherence of data. Show less

This conference was designed around two key themes: (1) positioning TAFE to meet the challenges of the global marketplace; and (2) one tertiary sector: implications for domestic and international markets. Other issues addressed at the conference were: implications for skill development as Australia emerges from a global financial crisis; a coalescence of government reforms that may be rewriting fundamental aspects of vocational education in Australia; and concerns about a 'crisis' for international students in Australia. Underneath many of these issues was a question about the distinctive mission of TAFE in a complex and volatile landscape. The conference sessions were: Overview; Positioning TAFE: market design; Positioning TAFE: Australian Apprentices Task Force; Positioning TAFE: challenges and opportunities; Winning the skills race; TAFE/tertiary and its people: talent management; Education for the changing world of work: developing skills for the new economy; Towards a coherent tertiary education approach; One tertiary sector: a university perspective; One tertiary sector: opportunities and threats for TAFE; One tertiary sector: a Skills Australia perspective; One tertiary sector: an industry perspective; Stronger pathways between the sectors; Demand driven system: choice, diversity and competition; Demand driven system; A demand driven system: dual sector institution perspective; Demand driven: union perspective; TAFE in the new international landscape; An international education strategy; Engaging with education agents; Helping to enhance accommodation options for international students; e2e Net: new options for bridging training and employment. Show less

This publication brings together papers and summaries of presentations from the 2013 conference. The theme of 'TAFE redefined' was chosen because Australian governments are leading the way in redefining technical and further education in terms of market competitiveness. This is prompting technical and further education providers to respond by recreating the skills development landscape in diverse and inventive ways. Five pre-conference workshops were offered: (1) developing a higher education strategy; (2) fostering green growth and innovation; (3) competitive TAFE; (4) the qualities of a leader; and (5) what can be learnt from research. Speakers from USA, UK, China, Hong Kong and India addressed a range of issues including the economics of skills, Australia in the Asian Century; [massive open online courses] MOOCs and digital learning, the quality proposition, tertiary connectedness, and Indigenous workers and learners.

The conference sessions were: International roundtable: what does a higher education strategy look like; Dialogue on green growth, sustainability and innovation: a learning opportunity; Competitive [technical and further education] TAFE; So you want to be a [chief executive officer] CEO?; TAFE researchers forum: conversation between theory and practice; Australia in the Asian Century; Views from China; The economics of skills; The 'quality' proposition: what is it?; Establishing standards and benchmarks for critical workplace skills: an international perspective; Preparing students with 21st century skills: the role of FE colleges (UK) and community colleges (USA); Community colleges: a unique contribution to higher education: case study Miami Dade College; Redefining learning approaches: MOOCs, digital learning; Indigenous workers and learners; Redefining the relationship of technical and further education providers with industry; Redefining learner attributes: employees or entrepreneurs?; Why should TAFE/further education and community colleges offer higher education?; Navigating opportunities in India; Innovation and productivity; Job skills, jobs and productive work; The imperative of a global outlook for vocational education and training providers; Green growth and innovation; What is new in apprenticeship training; Beyond the hype: the politics of technical and further education.

Excerpts from publication. Show less