TAFE Directors Australia 2022 National Convention

Geoff Crittenden (CEO, Weld Australia) and Michael Pitt (National Manager, Education and Training, Weld Australia) presented at the TAFE Directors Australia 2022 National Convention in November.

Held in Adelaide and attended by over 450 delegates, the theme of this year’s Convention was Courage, Change and Challenge: The Future of TAFE. The Convention brought together expert speakers from government, TAFE Institutes, industry and academia, as well as representatives from students and the community to look at major trends in the world of work, government responses to the skills challenge, and international developments in education and training.

TDA Chief Executive Officer, Jenny Dodd, said the conference tackled some of the major issues for TAFE, industry and the future of skills and work. “At a time when TAFE is at the centre of the workforce and skilling agenda, this is a chance to hear about what is working well, and where we need to adapt to deliver the jobs and skills of tomorrow.”

Geoff and Michael spoke on the topic of Traction & Momentum: Revolutionising Welder Training In Australia. Australia is facing a looming shortage of skilled welders—70,000 additional welders will be needed in the next 10 years. Yet, completion rates of Certificate III in Engineering continue to fall by 23% annually.

TAFE Directors Australia 2022 National Convention.

Michael Pitt (second from the left) at the TAFE Directors Australia 2022 National Convention. Falling completion rates were not surprising given the Manufacturing and Engineering Training Package (MEM 2.0) released in 2020 was inadequate for the needs of industry, and imposed significant burdens on apprentices, employers, and TAFEs. In addition, MEM 2.0 differed very little from the 1998 and 2005 versions, ignoring the huge technological advancements in Australia’s manufacturing industries.

This session took delegates through the story of how Weld Australia and TAFEs across the nation are overcoming the challenge of revolutionising welder training. Together with the National TAFE Consortium, Weld Australia has created new units of competency and a set of nationally consistent resources for MEM 2.0. The new resources are completely online and accessible via mobile device or computer, allowing students to access learning at the time, place and pace that suits them.

The session covered how the new MEM 2.0 resources can be supported by the use of augmented reality welding simulators. Rather than studying theory, augmented reality transforms training and learning from text books into high-quality interactive experiences that capture the imagination.

The session also focused on how collaboration between TAFE and industry is essential in overcoming the challenge of skills shortages. Industry, TAFEs and schools must work together to develop and deliver training programs and resources that engage, excite and attract students.

Weld Australia would like to welcome the following new members who joined over the last month.

CORPORATE MEMBERS

• Solidus Inspection & Quality Management: solidusiq.com.au

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERS

• Anthony Phillips • Caleb Jackson • Hector Daniel Herrera Rozo • John Mariani