[as posted to the VECO community on November 9, 2000]

Time is running out and places are filling! The conference is close to
two-thirds booked, a number of Concurrent Workshops are filled and half
the Industry Visits are closed. So it might be a good idea if you are
planning to come to get your registration form in. We know some people
have delays getting government department cheques to coincide with
registration - talk to National Curriculum Services  but it is important
that you get your registration in.

This website contains registration brochures - download from the QuickFind menu.

Interest is also growing about who is going to be saying what.

One of our Keynote Speakers is Associate Professor Richard Teese from
the University of Melbourne's Education Outcomes Research Unit.
Richard is a passionate presenter and one of Australia's leading
researchers on student destinations and success. He has just released a
new book titled Academic Success and Social Power: Examinations and
Inequality which throws down the gauntlet on complacency about systems
of secondary education and their relevance in an era of mass education.

Richard will use the conference principally to address a range of issues
coming from his Centre's survey and research program including:
* Why every second early leaver does not enter training, despite
the economic penalties; 
* Why TAFE/VET remains under-utilised and why there needs to be
a big effort to increase participation;
* Why early leavers report a range of barriers to undertaking VET: 

• lack of readiness (due to low achievement at school or uncertainty
  about their own capacities)

• lack of available time (due to job search
  or family commitments)

• perceived lack of relevance

• girls also complain about the costs of training

• and there are also travel problems for country kids.

* Why lack of appropriate training is one of the biggest single
problems identified by young unemployed workers in getting work -- this
is one of the paradoxes, that they know they need training, but still
don't undertake training (for the reasons given above)

* Why a negative perception of VET in the community persists,
despite the fact that once undertaking training in TAFE, for example,
they are generally very positive about their experiences in training and
the value of their courses for work.

Mike Frost
Executive Officer VETNETwork
C/o TCCI PO Box 793H
Hobart TAS 7000
Ph: 03 6234 5933 MOB: 0419 356 455
Fax: 03 6231 1278
Website: http://www.vetnetwork.org.au