Charles Darwin University has committed to sponsoring the AUSTAFE National Conference in Alice Springs in October.
Alice Springs campus Vocational Education and Training Senior Adviser and AUSTAFE National President Lyle Mellors said the three-day conference was expected to attract more than 150 tertiary and further education leaders from across Australia.
“This will be an important opportunity for CDU staff to network with interstate counterparts, for professional development activity and for the promotion of partnerships with vocational education and training stakeholders,” he said.
“Vice-Chancellor Barney Glover will deliver one of the keynote speeches and the planning committee has invited submissions for theme and breakout session papers.”
Mr Mellors said the conference theme “TAFE on Target” would allow delegates to examine a series of strategic questions.
“Is the vocational training sector hitting the target for regional and remote students, is it equipping staff adequately for the demands of the 21st Century and is it on target to meet government, industry and community needs for a highly skilled and educated Australia?
“These and other questions will inspire plenty of lively debate about the latest trends, activities, policies and reforms affecting VET.”
Mr Mellors said the conference would help provide dual-sector institutes such as CDU with a yardstick for measuring their effectiveness in providing a smooth transition from secondary education to employment or further education and training.
The conference is scheduled to take place at Pioneer Park on October 3-5.