eNews Issue 17
CEO MESSAGE
eNews Issue 17
CENTRE PROJECTS 2015 Indigenous Capability Program TAELLN411 – Not just a Cert IV Unit VETiS Staff Engaged Workforce Capability Building Mobile Webinars
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING What makes a good VET teacher VETnetwork Australia Partnership 2015 Teaching and Learning Conference
CEO MESSAGE The work of the Centre is broad and diverse – our Professional Learning Program for 2015 includes over 150 specific PD opportunities for VET professionals. We have also developed and delivered targeted programs for the Adult & Community sector, two series of an Indigenous cultural awareness program, a specialised program for VETiS teachers and a series of workshops related to Disability, Health and Wellbeing. To ensure that we maintain a relevant and responsive service to the sector, we encourage your feedback/evaluations of our programs and we also seek ‘expert advice’ from many of you when we are developing specific programs. I make many presentations to international visitors, to staff at their PD days and to other key stakeholders to ensure that the voice of the VET teacher is recognised and heard. We work collaboratively with ACPET, with the VTA, with TDA, with individual providers and we are excited to be delivering PD in collaboration with VETnetwork Australia later this month. But importantly, we provide a free service to you, via the VET Blog to ensure that you are across the key issues of the day. There are now over 300 articles on the Blog and every posting receives a minimum of 100 hits each time. So if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, I recommend that you do so ASAP.
CEO Opinion Piece: What makes a good VET Teacher What makes a good VET teacher? A question I was recently asked, and as we can all appreciate; there are many parts to the answer. But in essence I said the following: recognition that a VET teacher is a dual professional i.e. that they are both an expert in their vocation and also a credentialed teacher. Consequently there is a responsibility to remain current in both of these aspects. I also indicated that they should be a facilitator of learning; that VET is about learning in a contextualised, contemporary manner that draws on the teacher’s industry experience and knowledge as well as their understanding of pedagogical principles. A good/great VET teacher ensures that learners are engaged in the process of learning and that this is done using multiple approaches: reflective, peer to peer, online, problem based, real life situations. VET teachers need (and have) a specific skill set to ensure that the
transfer of learning occurs; and they do this in multiple situations and with a great diversity of learners. A professional VET teacher maintains their vocational and educational currency through a variety of methods; maintaining links with their industry through networks, placements, visits, reading & research and sometimes casual work. They maintain their educational currency through ongoing study - both formal and informal, accredited and nonaccredited, peer to peer and staying across the broad issues of the day, including quality and compliance. No easy feat and sometimes difficult when the profession of teaching has been so downgraded over many years; where there has been continual change and challenges.
to learners, whether exit school leavers, adult learners, industry based learners and/or school based and community learners—I have been fortunate to work with many such teachers over many years. At the Centre we continue to offer our support and our expertise to ensure that VET teachers are enabled in practical ways to maintain their dual currency and to improve their professional practice. Our broad suite of programs enables teachers to develop and enhance their skills and knowledge based on our capability framework and to maintain their own e-portfolio. In doing this, we support the professional development of the ‘good’ VET teachers!
A professional VET teacher maintains their own enthusiasm about their ‘trade’ or vocation and is excited about transferring that enthusiasm and knowledge
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KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE VET BLOG Stay across the critical issues of the day via the Centre’s VET BLOG. The latest blogs to be uploaded online are: Youth entrepreneurialism can help tackle youth unemployment in Australia International students are positive about their VET experience and living in Australia coag Industry and Skills Council Meeting, 8 May 2015 24th National Vocational Education and Training Research (NCVER) Conference ‘No Frills’ ASQA Fact Sheets
WORKFORCE CAPABILITY BUILDING: Customised Solutions that make a difference As the leading provider of workforce development solutions, the VET Development Centre offers an integrated delivery to develop the skills and capabilities of your staff. This includes: •
Our open access Professional Learning Program incorporating both face to face workshops and online delivery informed by current trends in VET. Receive a 10% discount with three or more registrations.
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Programs structured to your organisation – our highly experienced staff will work with you to identify your organisation’s workforce development needs and design a contextualised approach to suit, or recommend one of our many tested solutions.
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Strategic workforce development advice and support – we can support you in conducting a training needs analysis and implementing an appropriate strategy.
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Up to date information on key policy and research issues affecting VET available on the VET BLOG. Connect with us via social media for the latest updates on events, resources, reports and projects being offered by the Centre.
We can offer customised programs for in-house learning based on the needs of your students or learning institution. Please contact us to learn more about customised programs.
THE CENTRE PARTNERS WITH VETnetwork AUSTRALIA The Centre is proud to partner with VETnetwork Australia to deliver a series of webinars. VETnetwork Australia is a national professional association supported by the involvement of ‘members,’ namely staff and practitioners, with an interest and vocation in supporting young people through Vocational Education and Training (VET). The next upcoming webinar presented by Therese Hickey will be: •
Ensuring Assessments Meet the Standards - Preparing for Audit (24 June). Click here to register.
Additional webinars with VETnetwork Australia will be hosted by the Centre later in the year.
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TAELLN411 – not just a Cert IV unit While there may be ongoing discussion about the compulsion for VET teachers to hold the unit TAELLN411 - Address adult language literacy and numeracy skills, there is no doubt that VET teachers need the skills and knowledge to help learners with Language Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) needs. To address this need, the VET Development Centre has used Victorian Government funding dedicated to providing workforce development in literacy to deliver this unit.
The delivery, designed and lead by a well known expert in the field - Philippa McLean, models good practice by delivering unit content comprehensively in an interactive learning environment and encouraging application of the knowledge and skill learnt in assessment activities.
The delivery is auspiced by Access Employment Bendigo who have supported the Centre in all stages and will issue statements of attainment. The opportunity to achieve the TAELLN411 unit has been warmly embraced by the sector, with places for the workshops filling quickly.
Participants showed their appreciation of the approach with all except one of the first 23 students from the program successfully completing the unit.
For updates on the TAELLN411, please contact the Centre here.
2015 VET Teacher Indigenous Capability Program The VET Development Centre is pleased to again provide the Indigenous Capability Program in 2015. The program gives VET educators the skills to work towards the goal of improving participation and completion outcomes of Indigenous students in VET. 25 educators from the VET sector took part in the first delivery of the program, which was delivered over three workshops. The program’s workshops currently include: •
Cultural Awareness and Diversity
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Building Teaching Skills to Facilitate Learning with Indigenous Students
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LLN for Indigenous Students
The response from the program so far has been extremely positive with participating teachers gaining a broader knowledge of Indigenous issues and presenters understanding
Indigenous capability issues facing VET institutions.
them in the classroom in a more effective manner.”
The program has been successful in building an awareness of how to tackle Indigenous issues. This confidence is highlighted by a shift in confidence on how to manage Indigenous capability between pre and post-program questionnaires.
“The program was an excellent opportunity to connect with other tutors and institutions, building knowledge about Aboriginal culture and a vast array of diversity between learners.”
Some of the comments from participants about the program have been: “I have been able to validate my skills and knowledge in this area. I have come away with new ideas and experiences that others have shared in this program.” “I will be more respectful of differences between Aboriginal communities. I now understand the difficulties relating to the Stolen Generations … I have gained a lot more knowledge about Aboriginal learners and will be able to support
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“The knowledge and skills learnt can only improve my teaching strategies with Indigenous learners. I’m sure I will be better prepared when facilitating learning inclusive of Indigenous students. Overall, a great program - well worth the three days.” The Centre will deliver another round of the program in July. This program is fully booked; however, you can express your interest in attending this program by e-mail to Maria Romanin.
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AVETRA CONFERENCE The VET Development Centre sponsored the 2015 AVETRA Conference, held at the Hotel Rendezvous in Melbourne on the 8-10 April. The AVETRA Conference focused on the theme ‘Walking the Tightrope: the implication of markets for VET research, policy and practice.’
Above: Leo Gregorc at AVETRA.
The VET Centre’s e-Projects Manager, Leo Gregorc, presented on ‘Engaging the Digital Learner MarketplaceSupporting Innovation in VET with #ILeP.’
AVETRA is the Australian VET Research Association. Established in 1997, AVETRA focuses on independently reviewing VET research priorities, promoting research, raising the VET profile in academic and training communities, promoting training in research methods for the sector and providing platforms for the dissemination of research findings. The 2016 AVETRA Conference will be held in Sydney. For further information on the 2016 conference, please follow the link here.
2015 Professional learning program With the Centre’s 2015 Professional Learning Program underway, it is timely to consider a range of workshops, webinars and forums to help shape your learning and assessment outcomes and increase your professional development portfolio. The Centre now provides an annual Professional Learning Program to help you plan your professional development throughout the year.
Our Professional Learning Framework has been developed to target skills gaps and areas for continuous development. Additionally, we can offer customised programs for in-house learning based on the needs of your students or learning institution. Please contact the Centre here to learn more about customised programs. The program for 2015 can be viewed and/or downloaded by clicking here.
VETiS staff engaged ‘Well presented and very engaging presenters. All good!!’ ‘Excellent guided ‘walk’ through Standards/compliance with key messages to bear in mind when considering relationships’ ‘THE Presenter had extensive knowledge. THE Information was clearly presented. Participants were encouraged to contribute and share ideas’ These are just some of the many positive comments from participants in the VET Development Centre’s VET in Schools (VETiS) program. Using dedicated government funding and following advice from key stakeholders in VETiS, the Centre designed and delivered a
series of workshops specifically for VETiS staff in the first half of 2015. Key topics such as Transition to the New Standards and Getting Contracting Right, TAELLN411 – Achieving the Unit, RTOs and Schools Working Together have been delivered to over 200 participants.
This program will continue in Term 4 with sessions offered to support schools in their planning for successful delivery of VET qualifications to students in 2016. Please check the VETiS section of our website for details on the term 4 delivery and book in early!
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& 2015 TEACHING LEARNING
CONFERENCE
CHANGING GEARS Shifting to new ways of doing things
DATES: Thursday 3 September - Friday 4 September 2015 LOCATION: RACV Torquay Resort, Victoria COST: $490 Inc GST (Accommodation not included; to be booked separately) The VET sector continues to respond to change which puts pressure on practitioners and providers to remain resilient and adaptive to learner needs. The 2015 Conference will focus on change to ensure that you are supported in shifting to new ways of doing things. A range of keynote speakers and a series of workshops will address issues such as educational design, innovation in teaching and learning, learner engagement and system and processes. For further information, or to register for the 2015 Teaching & Learning Conference, please click here.
National Skills Week 2015 24-30 August Now in its fifth year, National Skills Week recognises, celebrates and informs students and the wider public on the diversity and benefits of undertaking VET study. This year’s theme ‘DISCOVER Your Incredible Journey to a Career’ will embrace and bring into focus the skills that link to the job requirements of Industry and highlights future Industry trends. The theme will mirror the ‘Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda; An action plan for a stronger Australia’, which has been set out by the Australian Government. The focus will be to foster innovation and student engagement, as well as creating a strong focus on skills needs associated with Australia’s emerging areas of opportunity. Last year hundreds of events were held nationally. We need your help to exceed last year’s success and make 2015 even bigger and better. Raise your voice for the VET sector! For more details about hosting your own event and how you can support National Skills Week, please contact Kirstin Casey on (02) 8080 0111 or e-mail kirstin.casey@skillsone.com.au. For more information, visit the skills week website here. Or stay up to date by following National Skills Week 2015 on social media via Facebook and Instagram.
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NCVER ‘No Frills’ Conference DATES: Monday 6 July - Wednesday 8 July 2015 LOCATION: University of Western Sydney – Parramatta Campus COST: $140 registration fee The 24th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference ‘No Frills’ will discuss three key areas vital to developing the VET system and meeting future skills demand: Youth: engaging, inspiring and supporting students to realise their potential Pathways: transitioning through education and training into the workforce Skills: working with industry and employers to improve education and training ‘No Frills’ is a well-known annual national conference where researchers and those engaged in the VET sector come together to present, discuss and share information about key issues confronting the sector and network in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. The conference also provides professional development opportunities for new and existing researchers. Further details on the No Frills Conference are available here.
2015 VTA STATE CONFERENCE LEADING TRANSFORMATIONAL CHANGE DATES: Thursday 16 July - Friday 17 July 2015 LOCATION: RACV City Club - Melbourne CBD COST: See registration page here Victoria’s economy is undergoing the fastest rate of structural adjustment in Australia. To make a successful transition, businesses and their personnel will need to understand the capability requirements of the new landscape. Likewise, they will need to assess their own capabilities, promote their strengths and identify and address the gaps. The Victorian TAFE Association’s 2015 State Conference, Leading Transformational Change, is a timely consideration of the changing role of the Victorian public VET sector provider, where we have come from and where we are headed. Further details on the conference can be accessed here.
2015 TDA NAtional Conference DATES: Wednesday 9 September - Friday 11 September 2015 LOCATION: Hotel Grand Chancellor, Hobart, Tasmania COST: See conference registration page for further details The theme of the 2015 TDA conference is ‘Inspire.’ The conference is designed to motivate delegates to be more creative and to stimulate discussion on seeing the world differently with speakers who have been tasked to goad, provoke and energise delegates. The conference will explore a range of topics, including fostering industry engagement, market approach to vocational education and training, quality and capability, higher education in TAFE – mission creep?, internationalising vocational education qualifications, vocational education and training pedagogy and servicing regional communities. Further information on the conference can be accessed here.
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Experience webinars in a whole new way
Our webinars will soon be mobile using Blackboard Collaborate Ultra Would you like to participate in a webinar using your mobile device? Are firewalls making it difficult for you to access a session? Have you missed a webinar and do not have time to review the recording at your desk? The VET Development Centre can provide you with a solution to these issues! We are taking advantage of recent upgrades to our webinar software provider, Blackboard Collaborate, and are excited to bring you Blackboard Collaborate Ultra – a new experience in mobile webinar delivery. From August 2015 we will be using this new platform for all our webinars. Access is just one-click away using your Google Chrome browser! If you are you away from your desk you can use your smart device to login using the Blackboard Collaborate App. Download it now by clicking on the button below that corresponds to your mobile device’s operating system:
The Centre will be scheduling support sessions to help webinar users understand the new interface. Please contact us if you would like more information on these free sessions.
STAY CONNECTED
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