TEACHING FELLOWS The Centre’s Teaching Fellowship Program commenced in 2005. Fellowships are an expression of the Centre’s continuing commitment to the professional formation of VET teachers. There are now 182 Teaching Fellows – an alumni group that expanded with 23 new Fellows in 2013. Our new Fellows included four adult and community education sector teachers, five teachers from private RTOs,
and 14 TAFE teachers. The Centre supports its Fellows through targeted events that bring them together in an active, supportive network that encourages reflection on practice and explores new approaches to learning and teaching. Our Fellows teach in the ACFE, private and public sectors across all industry areas.
Fellowships are offered primarily to teachers with one to four years VET experience. A Fellowship is accompanied by a grant of up to $8,000 as a contribution towards the cost of a 12 month development program. The program comprises a teacher training course, professional learning activities provided by the Centre, and workplace mentoring and coaching.
SPECIALIST SCHOLARS The Centre’s Specialist Scholarship Program provides support to specialist staff in building leadership capability and professional standing within the VET system. The Program builds a supportive cohort of staff responsible for administrative and
specialist tasks that serve the needs of internal and external stakeholders. The Centre supports specialist staff to build their capacity in a competitive market environment, and to build their professional standing within their organisations.
The program provides grants of up to $5,000 as a contribution towards the cost of a 12 month development program. In 2013, the Centre supported 24 Specialist Scholars including, for the first time, ten from the adult and community education sector.
VET SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM The VET Development Centre enthusiastically supports professional development that lifts the professional identity of VET professionals, and which leads to improved outcomes for VET learners. Formal teacher training for VET teachers is an investment in both those objectives. The Centre introduced the VET Scholarship Program in 2011, funded by DEECD.
The scholarships provide financial assistance of up $1,000 to assist those eligible to complete Diploma level studies in VET teaching. Scholarships are also available for the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. Qualifications can be taken in face-to-face, online or blended delivery modes, and may involve recognition of prior learning or credit transfer. In 2013, 758 scholarships were awarded across the VET sector – 310 from secondary schools, 246
in TAFE, 164 from private/industry providers, and 38 in adult and community education. Eligible applicants for the Program are secondary school teachers, current VET employees at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) which is a contractor approved by the Higher Education and Skills Group to provide Victorian government funded training, and individuals wishing to qualify for teaching work in the VET sector. In 2014, 350 scholarships will be awarded.
SOLUTIONS FOR VET PROFESSIONALS AND VET PROVIDERS
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