eNews Issue 12 CEO MESSAGE
CENTRE NEWS Professional development partnerships Professional conversations VET Blog Creating VET solutions since 2005 Social media
CENTRE PROJECTS Specialist Scholars Alumni - Where are they
now? Teaching Fellowship 2013 & 2014
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Thought Leaders - VIC & NSW Trade Educators & VETiS teachers Get certified! Local Professional Learning 2014 Conference: Invigorating VET practice! Digital Educators Network in 2014
COMMENT PIECE Teaching in a digital world
VET Development Centre Level 1, 478 Albert Street East Melbourne VIC 3002 T (61 3) 9250 6000 F (61 3) 9663 6674 info@vetcentre.vic.edu.au www.vetcentre.vic.edu.au
MESSAGE FROM CEO The VET Development Centre is committed to developing the capability of people working in vocational education and training. We do this in a variety of ways – through grant funds to providers; through the provision of an open access professional development program; through direct support to practitioners with scholarships and through a range of services to the sector. The Centre provides a unique and informed perspective on the capability and professional learning needs of VET professionals and educators in Victoria, particularly in times of rapid policy change at state and federal levels. The past three years has seen an expansion of program activity, particularly in our commercial programs and an increasing uptake of these programs by the Adult and Community Education (ACE) and Private sectors as well as continuing support from the public sector. 2013 was a successful year for the Centre and some of our highlights include the following: Grant funds to the sector:
Private sector
9 specific projects funded
Engagement with Industry
14 projects funded
Teaching & Learning
15 projects funded
Workforce Capability Development
30 projects funded
Teaching Fellowship program
23 new Fellows
Specialist Scholars program
24 new Scholars
Scholarly Practice
10 Researchers supported
Professional Learning Program:
The program in 2013 delivered 72 programs plus 20 webinars linked to our framework, under the strategic headings of Professionalism, Pedagogy, Pathways, Partnerships, Process and Products.
The number of participants engaged in Centre programs has increased as has the attendance from private and community RTO staff with over 2,700 attendees from across the sector.
Customised Professional Development workshops: 61 workshops to a further 1200 practitioners.
Associated services: Research
2 projects completed
Event & Network sponsorship
9 networks & 13 Conferences/activities supported
Knowledge sharing events
6 activities
MESSAGE FROM CEO In total, over 4,500 VET practitioners engaged with the Centre during 2013 and an estimated further 1,500 – 2,000 within the sector benefited from funded project activity; all of this occurring as the sector recalibrated to an open market, demand driven system. The Centre has developed web based solutions for the sector to support online communities of practice and has developed an online presence that allows individual e-portfolios for staff attending VET Development Centre events and activities. The use of e-portfolios for participants at Centre events allows them to target their PD needs and maintain a portable record; this is accessed via a secure log in on the Centre’s Resource and Network Portal. Another successful initiative in 2013 was the VET Blog. Through the Blog we share with the sector summaries of research papers, information about policy developments, teaching and learning resources, and news from the sector. By the end of 2013, the Blog had received more than 28,000 hits on more than 100 posts. Already, 2014 is shaping up to be a busy year with keen interest in our professional development program; our professional learning calendar has new and exciting programs, many with a focus on blended learning and innovation in teaching and learning. Denise Stevens VET Development Centre, CEO
THE CENTRE NEWS Professional development partnerships The VET Development Centre is always looking for ways to support networks that extend the capabilities of the VET workforce.
VET Development Centre and TDA signed agreement The Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with TAFE Directors Australia to strengthen ties between the two organisations and align activities that support VET workforce development. Previous collaborative activities include Thought Leaders events in Melbourne and Sydney, support by the Centre for two recent TDA Conferences (Emerging Leaders workshops) and participation in TDA study tours.
Signed agreement: Denise Stevens, CEO with Martin Riordan, TDA CEO
It was signed by the CEO of the Centre, Denise Stevens and the CEO of TDA, Martin Riordan. The intent of the MoU is to consider further opportunities for professional development under new governance changes impacting TAFE Institutes.
Service Skills Australia The Centre is pleased to have provided support to Service Skills Australia as a silver sponsor at the SSA National conference, held 3-4 March in Sydney and to have partnered with SSA to provide accredited professional development as part of the Service Skills Australia Right Way program in 2014. For information about the Professional Learning programs that are approved as part of the Right Way Accreditation Program and to register,
SSA Conference: Maria and Denise, at the Centre’s exhibition booth.
click here
Victorian Applied Learning Association (VALA) The Centre also provided support to the recent VALA Induction day for VCAL and VET secondary school teachers. The large turn out was a reflection of the day’s success!
VALA Induction day: Maria Romanin.
THE CENTRE NEWS Professional conversations The VET Development Centre supports the development and maintenance of vocational and educational currency by ensuring that VET practitioners, managers and specialist staff have access to recent and relevant articles of interest, and now professional conversations! The Centre has recently begun recording a series of professional conversation podcasts. This professional conversations series will focus on informal discussions with members of the VET sector and will cover issues around professionalism, process, pedagogy, partnerships, pathways and products/services. As we capture these discussions they will be upload to the Centre’s website. To listen or subscribe to the professional conversation podcasts, click here.
Professional conversations are designed around the Centre’s Professional Learning Framework.
VET Blog Stay across the critical issues of the day via our VET BLOG. Sign up via Twitter or email the Centre to ensure that you are notified as new entries are posted or regularly visit the Centre’s website.
Creating VET solutions since 2005 Since 2005 the VET Development Centre has concentrated the design and delivery of its professional learning programs on the strategic interests of VET providers and on the emerging practice priorities of VET professionals. To view how we have grown over the years and will continue to support the VET sector, download a copy of the VET Development Centre 2014 Solutions brochure.
Social media Keep up to date with the upcoming Professional Learning programs by following us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn or Podomatic!
THE CENTRE PROJECTS Specialist Scholars Alumni - Where are they now? The Specialist Scholarship is a once-off grant awarded to staff in positions other than teaching to participate in professional development or study formal qualifications in their chosen field of specialisation. The most rewarding part of providing scholarships to the VET sector is reflecting on how the professional development helped to enrich the professional lives of the recipients. Bianca Elwood and Aparjitta Raju were both recipients of a 2013 Specialist Scholarship, and they have shared with us how the experience transformed their careers in VET. Bianca Elwood, CEACA Inc What was your job title and role when you were a Specialist Scholar? My job title and role while I was a Specialist Scholar was Administration Officer. My roles included customer service, statistical management, student records management, trainer and tutor management, continuous improvement, marketing and occupational health and safety duties. What benefits did the completion of the Scholarship provide to your teaching practices? The scholarship allowed me to complete a Health and Safety Representative course which enabled me to become the Health and Safety Representative and First Aid Officer for my workplace. This strengthened my job position which allowed me to take
Bianca Elwood with Denise Stevens, CEO
on more responsibility and allowed me to become better qualified for my roles and duties. How has your career progressed since completion of the Scholarship? My career has progressed a lot since the completion of the scholarship; my resume is healthier with more vocational education and professional development than ever before! I have been able to complete a University diploma which has opened the path to complete a Bachelor Degree, which I start in July 2014. I would have never had the opportunity if it wasn’t for the scholarship. The degree will further strengthen my career path and knowledge. My career has progressed as I am now better able to effectively and efficiency operate an office for smooth operations. I can put what I learnt to practice and feel more confident in what I do. What are your future career intentions? At the moment my future career aspirations include working in the vocational education sector to learn more about the industry and understand how each organisation’s operations differ especially from an Adult Education Centre to a TAFE. If I change my career path, I know that I will be ready for the challenge as my scholarship has better prepared me.
THE CENTRE PROJECTS Specialist Scholars Alumni - Where are they now? Aparjitta Raju, Kangan Institute What was your job title and role when you were a Specialist Scholar? I was working as the Customer Service Centre Coordinator at Kangan Institute. What benefits did the completion of the Scholarship provide to your job position? The scholarship gave me an opportunity to get out and research student central concepts at other institutes. It also provided me with training for my new role as Manager, and was good for networking. How has your career progressed since completion of the Scholarship? During the course of my scholarship, I was promoted to Manager of Student Central at Kangan Institute.
Aparjitta Raju with Denise Stevens, CEO
What are your future career intentions?
I am planning to complete further studies in the VET sector and probably pursue a post graduate course.
Teaching Fellowship 2013 & 2014 Congratulations to the 2013 Teaching Fellowship recipients, who attended their graduation on Thursday 20 February at The University of Melbourne, Woodward Centre.
Welcome to the 2014 Teaching Fellows! The Fellowship Induction program was held on Thursday 13 March at Rydges, Melbourne.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Thought Leaders - 28 & 29 April This year’s Thought Leaders event to be held in Sydney and Melbourne, jointly hosted by the VET Development Centre and TAFE Directors Australia (TDA) welcomes Professor Thomas Bailey from Teachers College, Columbia University. The forum will provide attendees with an analysis of low completion at community colleges in the United States, with a focus on the implications, causes and solutions. Professor Thomas Bailey is the George and Abby O’Neill Professor of Economics and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University, New York. Since 1996, he has been the Director of Community College Research Center (CCRC). He is also the Director of the Center for Analysis of Postsecondary Education and Employment (CAPSEE), established in 2011 and funded by the Institute for Education Sciences, US Department of Education. He is an AERA Fellow and member of the National Academy of Education. He holds a PhD in economics from MIT with specialties in education, labour economics, and econometrics. The Sydney Thought Leaders will be held at the Novotel Sydney Central on Monday 28 April, and the Melbourne Thought leaders will be held at Rydges Melbourne on Tuesday 29 April. Please register your interest to attend this free event with the VET Development Centre by Tuesday 22 April 2014. For further information, click here.
Professional Learning for Trade Educators and VET in Schools Teachers The Centre has kicked off a new semester’s Professional Learning program with over 50 workforce development programs. The program includes the latest invigorating approaches to engage learners, how to strengthen teaching partnerships with industry, the latest e-learning technology in and outside the classroom and much more. Click here to view the complete program. To highlight professional learning programs suitable for VET in Schools (VETiS) practitioners and VET educators and trainers working in the trade disciplines, the Centre has developed a VETiS and Trade Educator poster to pin up in your workplace. Click here to download a VETiS poster Click here to download a Trades Trainer poster To request copies of the Centre’s Professional Learning Trade or VETiS Posters to distribute in your organisation please contact us at info@vetcentre.vic.edu.au
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Get certified! To access a certificate of attendance for a Professional Learning program after July 2013, simply log in to your Resource and Network Portal and click the certificate icon to download. It’s that easy! You will also be able to access post-program learning resources and participate in discussion forums with fellow participants. These are just some of the professional learning benefits offered by the Centre.
Learn Local Professional Development This year the Centre continues to work with the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board to provide a series of professional learning programs to Learn Local providers across Victoria. Fully funded places are offered to select semester 1 professional learning programs with a strong focus on integrating digital technology in to the blended learning environment.
Invigorating VET practice! Vocational education and training (VET) is the link between skills and knowledge, between learning and doing and for transforming the futures and working lives of learners and workers. Yet with a paradigm shift currently experienced in VET, the role of the teacher and the importance of VET appear to be diminished. How can teachers and educators invigorate their practice to stay focused in a period of change and to ensure that learners and workers continue to be educated and supported? At the Teaching and Learning Conference in 2014 our focus will be exactly on that topic: Invigorating VET practice. A range of keynote speakers and a series of workshops will address issues including:
Contemporary VET practice
New ways of learning
Designing blended learning delivery for effective results
Working with and supporting minority groups
Linking research to practice
The 2014 Teaching and Learning Conference will be held at the Torquay RACV Resort, Thursday 4 September - Friday 5 September 2014. Register now and save your spot!
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING Digital Educators Network in 2014 Technology has now established itself as an essential element in most course designs, with the Learning Management System being at the heart of it all. While design standards exist, there is a continual stream of innovation from the sector on ways to invigorate delivery and to facilitate engagement and participation. This year the Digital Educators Network (DEN) will include five planned webinars which look at new ways to plan, deliver and review course materials, focusing on current and future trends in VET course design. For more information and to become part of our continuing peer based network, click here.
COMMENT PIECE Teaching in a digital world At a recent conference one of the presenters was discussing their organisation’s approach to teaching and learning in a digital world. The presentation highlighted the changes that technology has brought into our own lives – banking, phone technology, live content streaming, iview, online retailing and so forth. It made me reflect that this transition in many ways has been subliminal and that we have incorporated them into the way we live and now expect to live in a 24/7 world. As we live and work in a digital culture and a digital society our approach to teaching and learning also needs to reflect this digital society and our expectation of it. VET must use the same language and approach – the customer/ learner must be at the centre of all of our decisions, a concept that we often give lip service to rather than implementing. The strategic decisions impacting on a learner and their decision to study with a provider must be student driven and meet their needs as and when and how required. RTOs need to utilise the full range and extent of technology to deliver in multiple modalities and to engage and inspire their learners. This type of thinking and planning impacts on our understanding of what it means to be a teacher/educator in VET - with a need for greater diversity in the skill profiles of VET practitioners that differ significantly from those required in traditional educational models. Clearly, the ability to be innovative in the design and delivery of blended learning programs, collaborate with other practitioners and to engage in ongoing learning and change is critical for practitioners to keep pace with this digital world – dare I say, not easy as the market itself is transforming and where change is occurring at a rapid rate. It means we need to redesign what and how it is to be a teacher/educator in VET, a challenge that the Centre has taken on in our constant discussion and engagement with practitioners and one that we reflect in our learning programs and support to the sector.