The Hon Peter Garrett MP
Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth

Senator the Hon Chris Evans
Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations
Leader of the Government in the Senate

Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity

Applications for NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services program

Innovative online and interactive education and training packages will be developed for a nationwide rollout to schools and vocational training providers under the $27.2 million NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services program.

The Government today called for proposals for the project, with organisations encouraged to develop ideas or trial projects that can be delivered across Australia, utilising the world-class technology of the National Broadband Network to help more people access education and training.

Applications are invited from a range of recognised education and skills service providers, such as Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and TAFEs, schools, universities, industry representatives, community organisations, and not-for- profit organisations.

Minister for School Education, Peter Garrett, said education and skills service providers are well placed to produce innovative projects across a range of areas from early childhood to adult education.

"This is a first step towards delivering projects that will provide all Australians with improved access to online education, training and skills services," he said.

"Services developed through the program have the potential to allow students and teachers to access more information to support their classroom activities, and to collaborate with students and teachers around Australia."

Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Stephen Conroy, said proposals need to have the potential to deliver high quality, accessible and sustainable online content/tools to Australian schools, TAFEs, universities, workplaces and homes over the National Broadband Network (NBN).

"Projects need to be designed to take advantage of high-speed broadband available through the NBN, and need to target NBN early rollout communities that will first benefit from the new network," Senator Conroy said.

Minister for Tertiary Education and Skills, Chris Evans, said projects should be designed to encourage professional learning and skills development in the workplace.

"Winning ideas will be designed to improve productivity and initiatives that help people, particularly those working in regional locations, access the information they require to learn, work and live," Senator Evans said.

"We are committed to ensuring that all Australians have access to education and training services that will equip them with the skills they need to succeed in future study or work.

"The NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services program is just one of many fundamental Gillard Government education and training reform initiatives to support the long term productivity and economic growth of Australia.

Mr Garrett said the initiative builds on the investment of over $2.4 billion in the Digital Education Revolution, providing Australian students with the learning tools required for success in today’s digital world.

The call for proposals will close on 3 February 2012. Successful projects will be announced early in 2012.

For more information on the NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services program, including detailed application information visit: http://www.deewr.gov.au/Department/Pages/nbneducationandskills.aspx

Date: 1 December 2011

Senator Conroy media contact: Lyall Johnson 0408 258 457

Senator Evans media contact: Rhys Davies 0411 138 572

Minister Garrett media contact: Lisa Miller 0419 124 717

DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au
Non-media queries: 1300 363 079