Planning to Use Broadband in Australia

In "It’s time for politicians to get technical" (AFR, 3 January 2014), Paul Smith writes about how broadband might be used in Australia. Amongst many others,  I get quoted about the effect on regional employment:

 Tom Worthington, an adjunct senior lecturer at the Australian National University’s school of computer science, also believes the advent of high-speed internet may not prove to be the boon for regional Australian living that many imagine.

He says while better broadband will allow those in regional areas to access services online, this may also result in a loss of face-to-face services.

In other words, while you will be able to consult a doctor, accountant, lawyer or teacher online more easily, you may not be able to see one in person, as they will have moved to the city or to another country.

E-learning For Regional Australia

As part of the National VET E-learning Strategy a free online industry forum on the use of e-learning for workforce training in regional Australia, 8:30am to 5:30 pm, 7 June 2012 (register online).

Program – Thursday 7 June 2012

8.30 am - 9.00 am

Audio testing

9.00 am - 10.00 am

Regional session 1

Emergency services, agriculture and transport

· Emergency services | Tasmania Fire Service (Tas)

· Natural resource management | Conservation Volunteers Australia (National)

· Agriculture | Rural Skills Australia (National)

· Agriculture | Qld Rural Industry Training Council (Qld)

· Transport and logistics | TDT Victoria (Vic)

10.30 am - 11.30 am

Industry sector session 1

Implementing industry-wide workforce development e-learning business plans

· Renewable energy | Clean Energy Council

· Surveying and Geospatial | Spatial Industries Business Association

12.00 pm - 1.00 pm

Industry sector session 2

KEYNOTE Managing change with an example from the manufacturing industry

· Manufacturing | Australian Industry Group

1.30 pm - 2.30 pm

Regional session 2

Aged care, nursing and health

· Aged care | Yass Valley Aged Care (NSW)

· Aged Care | Pakenham Aged Care (Vic)

· Nursing | Health Staff Ed Pty Ltd (SA)

· Health | Silver Chain Nursing Association Inc (WA)

· Health | WoundsWest (WA)

3.00 pm - 4.00 pm

Regional session 3

Apprentices and trades

· Civil construction | Civil Contractors Federation NT (NT)

· Civil construction | SWAT Skills Specialists (SA)

· Local government - construction | Local Government Association of SA (SA)

· Electrical supply | Essential Energy (NSW)

· Coal seam gas - water treatment | QGC (Qld)

4.30 pm - 5.30 pm

Regional session 4

Small business, tourism and retail

· Food processing and production | East Gippsland Food Cluster (Vic)

· Food | Northern Rivers Food (NSW)

· Tourism | Regional Development Australia - Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu and Kangaroo Island Inc (SA)

· Tourism | Dolphin Discovery Centre (WA)

· Retail | Service Industries Training Authority Council (NT).

To participate in the online sessions, your computer must be configured to run Blackboard Collaborate (Elluminate v10) web-conferencing software. You will also need a headset with a microphone and a stable Internet connection. A practice session will be held on Tuesday 5 June from 2.00 to 3.00 pm AEST. For more information, visit the E-learning for Industry website at http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au.