Tasmania is this week hosting a national Vocational Education and Training Research Conference.
The "No Frills" Conference 2008 gets underway in Launceston on Wednesday and is breaking all records.
Co-sponsored by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research and TAFE Tasmania, the three day No Frills research conference has this year attracted a record 210 participants.
The conference will include a keynote address on the Tasmania Tomorrow initiative, given by John Smyth, Secretary, Department of Education.
NCVER General Manager Mark Cully said the Tasmanian location and accessibility for interstate visitors had contributed to the record turnout.
"Now in its 17th year No Frills is a unique event on the vocational education and training (VET) calendar" Mr Cully said.
"Research into school and university education is well established and has been for decades. However research into vocational education is still very much a developing discipline and No Frills has become an important development medium."
TAFE Tasmania CEO, Malcolm White, said TAFE were proud to be involved in the conference, given the commitment by the training organisation to delivering the highest level of vocational education and training in Australia.
"It is important to research and debate the issues surrounding vocational education and training.
"After decades of involvement in training, I have very strong convictions that the integration of vocational education with industry is the key to success.
"This is evidenced by the strong increase in the number of students undertaking VET in Tasmania, up five per cent in 2006-2007, the highest percentage increase of any State or Territory in Australia," he said.
The conference takes a down to earth, "no frills" approach to providing a venue for new research from the VET sector, while promoting and encouraging the efforts of new researchers.
"One of the remarkable things about No Frills is the sheer variety of presentations. This year for example more than 50 papers will be presented on topics ranging from baby boomers and technology in VET to employment programs in the Tamar Valley and 'labratettes'- women in VET science courses," Mr Cully said.
Mr White said that TAFE's involvement in the conference illustrated its commitment to increasing VET in Tasmania to create tangible career paths for students, and strengthen the Tasmanian economy.
"Results show that VET in Tasmania has stood side by side with economic development in Tasmania, and this is due to VET being closely integrated and aligned to employers and their needs.
"All VET systems in Australia need to take a close look at the flexibility of TAFE Tasmania teachers, and the way in which TAFE forms strong industry partnerships."
Other keynote presentations will be made by Oona Nielssen, Executive Director of the Dusseldorp Skills Forum and Rob Simons Head of Research and Evaluation with The Smith Family.
"No Frills" 2008 - The 17th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference is being held at the University of Tasmania, Newnham Campus, Launceston, from 9-11 July 2008.
To arrange interviews/more information contact:
Chris Booth, Manager Marketing Services, NCVER, +61 8 8230 8400
