Page 1313 - Week 04 - Thursday, 8 May 2014
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MS PORTER: Minister, what do indicators show in relation to the continued growth and performance of CIT into 2014?
MS BURCH: CIT has worked hard during 2013 to position itself to face the challenges of a changing vocational education and training environment. As part of this, the new strategic plan has a stronger focus on learners, people and partners to strength its position as a training leader and to be successful in a more competitive market that will be in place by 2016.
CIT’s new management structure and changes to flow from the government’s review will help to ensure its continued success in Canberra, the region and national and international markets. Enrolments for 2014 are on track for another successful year, with a total delivery of nominal hours up 1.2 per cent and total enrolments up 3.3 per cent on the same time last year.
Profile delivery is also up 5.3 per cent, while the ACT enrolment rate for apprentices is up 16.6 per cent on the same time last year. International students are up 30.8 per cent and total international student delivery is up 10.5 per cent on the same time last year. This is, I think, a quite significant and positive achievement, given the difficulties faced by many international students accessing vocational education and training in Australia.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Minister, is there a revised plan for the CIT to merge with the University of Canberra?
MS BURCH: No.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, can you provide more details about CIT’s success in providing education to students from Indigenous backgrounds?
MS BURCH: I thank Dr Bourke for his question. I am pleased to report that enrolments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students have been steadily increasing, up from 388 students in 2010 to 663 students last year. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students enrolled at CIT are supported by a dedicated Indigenous student support coordinator and the CIT Yurauna Centre.
The Indigenous staff at CIT Yurauna Centre regularly phone students, and meet with them and with their teachers to identify where students may need additional support to succeed in their studies. Staff make every effort to contact students not attending through SMS messaging, phone calls or personalised letters encouraging students to return to study.
Staff also work closely with students to overcome barriers that impede enrolment, such as access to identification documents or cultural restrictions that may prevent them from using the name on their birth certificates. All Indigenous students across
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