DEPARTMENT of EDUCATION
Feature Image
Printer Friendly Version

Highlights 2004-2005

July 2004

  • Adult Education was relocated from the Institute of TAFE Tasmania to the Department of Education.
  • An international education search and strategy conference was held for government schools and colleges involved in international education to identify future policy and strategic objectives for the department’s international education programs.

August 2004

  • The annual Tasmanian State Training Authority (TASTA) Awards were presented to 14 category winners at a gala dinner in Hobart before an audience of over 600 people.
  • The Tasmanian Youth Consultative Committee (TYCC) held the weekend youth conference DENIM for young people from across the state in Ulverstone.
  • The Girls Connect to ICT forum was held, providing an opportunity for girls to communicate online with young women working in the information and communication technology industry.
  • Over 700 primary school students participated in a range of science activities including chemistry magic, legotechnic, plants, forensic science and rockets, all planned and provided by Don College students as part of National Science Week 2004.

September 2004

  • The YMCA Youth Parliament 2004 involved young Tasmanians in a training camp, training workshops and three days at Parliament House debating bills written by the participants.
  • Adult Learners’ Week was celebrated across Tasmania to recognise and promote lifelong learning opportunities.
  • The state’s first Adult and Community Education (ACE) policy was launched in Launceston at the inaugural ACE conference Making Connections.

October 2004

  • The Office of Youth Affairs held its fifth annual local government forum for youth staff, community development officers and other local government staff interested in youth affairs.
  • The seminar Positioning Tasmania as a Leader in ICT-enabled Education and Training was presented to stakeholders of flexible learning in Tasmania as part of the Australian Flexible Learning communications project.
  • Amendments to the Vocational Education and Training Act 1994 that established the Tasmanian Learning and Skills Authority, replacing TASTA, were passed by Parliament.

November 2004

  • As part of the Tasmanian Youth Transport Strategy, Dorset Council’s The Wheel Deal pilot was launched in Scottsdale to improve young people’s access to transport within, to and from the municipality.
  • Events showcasing achievements in flexible learning in Tasmania were held in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie.
  • The fourth national biennial conference of VETnetwork Australia was held in Hobart, with the theme of Stand and Deliver: Delivery Strategies for Vocational Learning.
  • Three Tasmanian students from Launceston Studentworks presented on the program’s innovative approach to traditional learning to an international gathering of education and business enthusiasts in London, UK.
  • Major amendments to the Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Fund Act 1990 were passed by Parliament.

December 2004

  • Knowledge2Business (k2b) participants came together to celebrate the program, with the seven graduates from 2004 awarded a certificate of participation.

January 2005

  • The Tasmanian Learning and Skills Authority (TLSA) was established to provide advice to the Minister about the planning and provision of post-Year 10 education and training.
  • The Ready, Willing and Able consultation report for government was released by the Office of Youth Affairs, highlighting the issues and views of young people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds in Tasmania.

February 2005

  • A seminar addressing the power of networking as well as setting up an ICT business in the USA was presented to the Tasmanian IT industry as part of the k2b program.

March 2005

  • Members were appointed to the restructured Tasmanian Building and Construction Industry Training Board.

April 2005

  • The Youth Participation in Education and Training (Guaranteeing Futures) Act 2005 was passed by Parliament.
  • National Youth Week 2005 celebrations were held with over 17,000 Tasmanian youth participating in activities across the state.
  • Investing in our Future: A Statement of the Tasmanian Priorities for Vocational Education and Training in 2005 was launched.
  • The inaugural Tasmanian Learning and Skills Authority conference Joining the Dots: Education, Training, Skills & Lifelong Learning was held in Launceston for stakeholders of post-compulsory education and training.
  • An information technology work experience week was held for girls in Year 9 as part of the Women in IT project.
  • Training of mentors, arranged through the Smarter Small Business project commenced in the Break O’Day region to help small business owners access training appropriate to their business.
  • Tasmania’s inaugural human-powered vehicle trial was held, coordinated by Rosny College in partnership with other schools, to promote alternative transport systems, physical endurance and the use of technology. Over 90 students from seven schools participated.
  • The Guaranteeing Futures Area Taskforce Initiative Discussion Paper was released for consultation to gain input into planning for the taskforces’ roles of coordinating and supporting post-Year 10 education, training and employment pathways and services for young people.
  • The Financial Assistance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Students Undertaking VET website was launched.

May 2005

  • Three Tasmanians competed as part of the Australian WorldSkills team at the 38th International WorldSkills Competition held in Finland, winning a gold medal and a medallion of excellence.
  • The Tasmanian Thematic Interpretation Planning Manual was launched for the tourism industry to support provision of high quality interpretation experiences for visitors to Tasmania’s natural and cultural heritage.

June 2005

  • Relief teachers across the state participated in the Adult Education professional development program Planning with the Essential Learnings.
  • Adult Education’s new professional development program for vocational education and training (VET) practitioners commenced with Managing the Paper Trail.
  • A car built by Launceston College students as part of the college’s motor sport program participated in Targa Tasmania in the Unique Cars Tour.