AUSTRALIA’s national charity regulator, the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) has confirmed it is investigating concerns raised about Hillsong Church. 

A NEW agreement that establishes a clear and efficient recognition process for Australian and Indian qualifications has been welcomed by the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.

The new 'Mechanism for the Mutual Recognition of Qualifications' agreement was signed in Delhi by the Australian Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP, and the Indian Minister of Education, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Dharmendra Pradhan. This new agreement aims to minimise barriers to the recognition of qualifications in a timely manner, leading to better outcomes for Australian and Indian students, graduates, academics, researchers and education and training institutions.

“This is a significant agreement for Australian independent skills training and higher education providers looking to support students wishing to study in Australia.  It’s also great news for those providers wishing to deliver programs in India,” ITECA chief executive, Troy Williams said.

Mr Williams was part of a small delegation of higher education leaders who accompanied Minister Clare to Delhi for a series of bilateral meetings with their Indian counterparts, including one in which the Ministers signed the agreement.

Government data referenced in the ITECA State of The Sector Report showed that India was the single largest overseas market for Australia’s independent tertiary education providers.

“Recognition of Australian qualifications by the Indian Government will support transnational education, allowing students with Indian qualifications to pursue further education in Australia and vice versa. Significantly, these students will not have to undergo a complex and time-consuming process of getting their qualifications recognised by training providers or employers,” Mr Williams said.

The agreement, the most broad-ranging of its kind signed by the Indian Government, will strengthen the reputation for quality that independent skills training providers have in India.

“Recognition of Australian qualifications by the Indian Government will enhance the employment standing of Indian students who have completed their education in Australia, thereby increasing their employability and future career prospects,” Mr Williams said.

ITECA also notes that the agreement is significant in a broader trade context.

“This agreement strengthens the bilateral relations between Australia and India. It will encourage the cooperation between the two countries in the field of education and facilitate the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and expertise across areas critical to both nation’s economies,” Mr Williams said.

Agreements of this kind are essential to the independent tertiary education sector, he said. Government data referenced in the ITECA State of The Sector Report shows that independent skills training and higher education providers support around 54 percent of all international student visa holders in Australia.

About ITECA

Established in 1992, the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA) is the peak body representing independent providers in the skills training, higher education, and international education sectors.  Indepenent tertiary education providers support around 54 percent of international student visa holders in Australia. About 17.5 percent of all international student enrolments in higher education are with independent providers. About 96.5 percent of all international student enrolments in skills training are with independent Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

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THE Electrical Trades Union (ETU) has welcomed Qantas’s announcement today of a new engineering academy to combat skills shortages and train aviation engineers for highly skilled roles.

THE Australian Workers' Union (AWU) has welcomed Qantas's decision to establish a new Engineering Academy as part of a major recruitment drive, describing it as a potential turning point for Australian technical jobs.

The Qantas Group Engineering Academy will have the capacity to train up 300 engineers a year. It will provide aviation engineers for the Qantas Group as well as the broader aviation industry, including defence contractors and general aviation.

AWU national secretary Daniel Walton said the announcement represented an extremely welcome shift.

"For years our union has been crying out for investment in the skills of tomorrow, but good news on that front has been sparse in recent times. Today's announcement represents a very welcome turning point," Mr Walton said.

"It takes a long time to train aviation engineers, so today's investment creates a long pipeline that will result in good quality Australian jobs for many years to come.

"I've been fortunate enough to work with aviation engineers for a good chunk of my working life as a unionist and I understand the passion these men and women have for the vital work they do. I think it's fair to say their morale has taken a beating in recent years, so today's announcement I hope will brighten the horizon.

"Australian aircraft should be serviced and maintained by well-trained Australian engineers. I welcome Qantas's strong commitment to the future of Australian engineering jobs and look forward to working with the airline to ensure the best possible opportunities are provided to Australians keen to learn."

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"I call on other major Australian employers to take this as a sign of turning tide and to start making their own plans to invest strongly in Australian apprenticeships and Australian skills."