$27.2m up for grabs for development of NBN-based education

Stuart Corner
Thursday, 01 December 2011 13:56

IT Industry - Development

The Federal Government has called for proposals for funding under the $27.2m NBN-Enabled Education and Skills Services program.

It is encouraging organisations to develop ideas or trial projects that can be delivered across Australia via 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.

The minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy, Stephen Conroy, said: "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.

The minister for tertiary education and skills, Chris Evans, added that projects should be designed to encourage professional learning and skills development in the workplace.

The minister for school education, Peter Garrett, said: "This is a first step towards delivering projects that will provide all Australians with improved access to online education, training and skills services. 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."

Garrett added that the initiative would build on the investment of over $2.4bin the Digital Education Revolution.

 The call for proposals will close on 3 February 2012. Successful projects will be announced early in 2012. Application forms and details here.