Last week, English Australia wrote to the Prime Minister asking for JobKeeper to be extended until March 2021 and broadened to the University sector.
I see this extension as being the best way to ensure the survival of many of our member colleges. JobKeeper has been a lifeline for many members and its extension and expansion will ensure the ELICOS sector survives and rebounds.
The strength of the ELICOS sector gives good reason to extend and expand JobKeeper
Our international borders have been closed for almost three months, and in that time we have only seen a small number of ELICOS colleges close. During these incredibly challenging circumstances, member colleges have evolved and continued to deliver high quality courses and student experiences. And this says nothing of the enormous changes that they have so successfully made to adapt to online teaching. I believe this reflects the strength and resilience of our sector, and I believe this makes a powerful argument for extending and expanding JobKeeper.
Advocating for a trial border reopening involving the ELICOS sector
Before COVID-19, the ELICOS sector had just experienced another record year of student numbers. While we were seeing a downturn from China, key markets like Colombia, India, Nepal and Vietnam were all above 15% growth. We were not an industry in decline, and this is another good reason to extend and expand JobKeeper, and use our sector in any trial border reopening.
This is part of the case that we have put before the Prime Minister: extending and expanding JobKeeper and using the ELICOS sector to trial reopening borders. JobKeeper has helped many colleges continue but as September comes closer, our members and our sector need reassurance, extending and expanding JobKeeper will give this reassurance.
I know how tough it is for members right now. I want to assure you that English Australia is doing everything that it can to fight for you and to ensure that your college remains open.
We are working on an innovative proposal right now and will share further information with you in the coming weeks.
A new era of ELICOS data reporting starts this week
This week, our research partner, Bonard, will begin inviting colleges to participate in the Quarterly ELICOS Market Insight survey.
This free initiative will track student numbers and weeks across all visa types, among other key metrics. The subsequent report will highlight the importance of student and non-student (tourist/ working holiday) visas to the ELICOS sector.
Thanks to the support of the Department of Education, Skills and Employment, English Australia has been able to bring this new survey to the entire ELICOS sector at no cost.
We look forward to the exciting new insights that this initiative will bring.
English Australia life member, Seamus Fagan, receives Queens’s Birthday accolade
In positive news, English Australia’s Life member and former Chair, Conjoint Associate Professor Seamus Fagan, was made a member of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday awards.
Seamus was a member of the English Australia Board from 1993 to 2010 and served as English Australia’s Chair from 2004 to 2010.
He has been director of the University of Newcastle’s English Language and Foundation Studies Centre, which includes the Language Centre and three enabling programs New Step, Open Foundation and Yapug. He has also served on the Board of University English Centres Australia and the National ELT Accreditation Scheme.
On behalf of English Australia, I’d like to congratulate Seamus, who is a deserving recipient of this award for his dedicated service to the English Language Teaching sector and international education in Australia.
In positive news, English Australia’s Life member and former Chair, Conjoint Associate Professor Seamus Fagan, was made a member of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday awards.
