TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is the peak national body incorporated to represent Australia’s 58 government owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes and university TAFE divisions, and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).... <show more>

TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) is the peak national body incorporated to represent Australia’s 58 government owned Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes and university TAFE divisions, and the Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC).

Australia’s TAFE Institute network is the largest and most diverse tertiary education sector in Australia with more than 1000 campuses located across Central Business Districts (CBD), suburban, regional and remote locations, with many institutes offering further services throughout the Asia-Pacific and other offshore regions.

The core business of TDA is supporting our member institutes, leading the advocacy for quality skills in Australia, and managing a range of international education and training projects in cooperation with our institutes.

Our strategic objectives can be summarised as follows:

• advance vocational education and training policy in Australia

• support policy development for improved outcomes for students – domestic and international

• lead the advocacy on... <show more>

Our strategic objectives can be summarised as follows:

• advance vocational education and training policy in Australia

• support policy development for improved outcomes for students – domestic and international

• lead the advocacy on funding

• promote and support TAFE Institutes as the foremost providers of quality skills training in Australia and abroad

• support, expand and where appropriate lead international networks and business opportunities for our members

TDA aims to position TAFE as the preferred partner and provider of international education services.

The provision of international education services is Australia’s number 1 export in the services industry. These services include education and training... <show more>

TDA aims to position TAFE as the preferred partner and provider of international education services.

The provision of international education services is Australia’s number 1 export in the services industry. These services include education and training for international students, capacity building projects in other countries, and partnerships with industry.

TAFE is recognised as a world leader in vocational education and training and our services are increasingly in demand from governments, education institutions and donor organisations throughout the world, particularly in the Asian region.

Of equal importance is our role in supporting Australian students and businesses to engage with other countries through outbound mobility programs and industry-led training programs.

To enhance these services, TAFE needs a whole-of-government approach which supports and promotes our activities, strengthens networks, and adopts policies which enhance rather than hinder our objectives.

Some of our recent activities include:

October, 2014: WFCP World Congress: TDA led a delegation of TAFE representatives, as well as representatives from the LH Martin Institute, to attend the WFCP World Congress, hosted by the CEAIE in Beijing, China. TDA was given the opportunity to host a session at the Congress which focused on connections between Education and Industry.

June, 2014: Latin America DFAT / Inter-American Development Bank seminars: TDA completed two-day seminars in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Chile and Peru.

With direct support from the Council of Australia Latin American Relations and the Inter-American Development Bank, the seminars focused on strengthening TVET systems and how TAFE engages with industry. Over 200 people attended the seminars including senior Ministers, government officials, industry and institute leaders. Presentations were also given by the British Council, the European Union, the Republic of Korea and the International Labor Organisation.

For those fluent in Spanish or Portuguese, the dedicated IDB website for this project provides a comprehensive overview and summary of the seminars.

June, 2014: India Vocational Education Leadership Training (VELT): TDA delivered a three day workshop in Delhi. Ten participants are in the process of being selected to come to Australia for a mentoring program at selected TAFE institutes in 2015.