Monday, October 31, 2005

From letters to The Age Education supplement 31 October

Get It Right Minister

The article "Bellyache for TAFE" quotes the minister for Vocational Education and Training as stating that "80% of work done by TAFEs isn't about trade related training, which is what the Commonwealth funds, it's about recreational pursuits". These comments show an extraordinary failure on his part to understand his portfolio. TAFEs only use government funding for occupationally relevant programs for artisans, para-professionals and the disadvantaged.

Rather than denigrate the students in TAFE, the minister would better serve the Australian community if he sensibly informed himself about vocational education and began to address issues such apprenticeship attrition rates, the fiasco, confusion and camelback of the AQTF (Australian Qualification Framework), and curriculum reform.
Bruce McKenzie
Chief Executive Officer
Homesglen Institute of TAFE

Friday, October 28, 2005

November 15 - a claytons strike

Our illustrious union the AEU is calling on its members to march up and down Swanston Street on November 15 to protest the impending IR laws to be passed by the Federal Government. These laws could have serious implications fo rthe employment conditions for teachers and TAFEys like me - the greatedst fear I have is that there will be differentiations in working conditions and pay across teaching staff. I just dont see how this will mean better education. It certainly will not result in more harmonious working environments. To save us $$$ our nice HR dept has been issued with directives from Industrial Relations Victoria to allow staff to take the day as leave, NAPD (the great unkowable condition enjoyed by some exploited by others) so long as there is "no disruption". So if I march wil there be disruption? mmmmm

Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Reflections of Eureka

Spent last Thursday and Friday in gorgeous Ballarat attending the Eureka - evolutions in elearning conference. The best aspect of the conference without doubt where the good attendance of people form ACE and private providers. My fave session was the ACPET Learnscope presentation. Four diverse private RTOs. The Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade, organic Farmers from Bairnsdale, Conservation Volunteers Australia and a private provider from Ballarat presented. What it demonstrated to me was the immense goodwill that exists across the VET sector and how so many have assisted others in sharing their learnings.

Another interesting session was the use of digital story telling and how it has worked to engage the traditional trade teachers in working with new technologies.

ways the company of the wonderful people I have met through my involvement with elearning across the VET sector. It's always great to have a social function where the officious that some bring to their professional roles breaks down over a few drinks.