About us
With over 19 years of experience, VDC is the expert
in elevating the VET professional workforce
through innovative learning experiences
What we do
The VET Development Centre (VDC) was established in 2005 by the Victorian Government to promote the development and raise the professional standing of people working in the Vocational Education and Training (VET) Sector.
VDC has been providing continuous professional learning to all teaching and non-teaching staff in the VET Sector across Australia since 2005. There are no membership fees to access VDC services.
VDC Professional Learning Programs offer an extensive range of in person, online and hybrid continuing professional learning for the VET and Adult Learning Workforce. Sessions include highly engaging and interactive webinars, half and full day workshops, self-paced eLearns and special activities such the Australian VET Sustainability Fellowship, VDC News, the VET National Teaching & Learning Conference, World Teachers’ Day webinar and free Thought Leadership webinars throughout the year.
Since its inception in 2005, the VDC has evolved to become one of Australia's leading providers of professional learning for VET educators, trainers, lecturers and other VET professionals. Its training programs have been independently evaluated by the Australian Council for Educational Research. All program content is mapped against the VET Practitioners Capability Framework for educators at all stages of their careers. There is no membership fee to utilise the VDC's services, however, there can be a small fee for enrolment in individual training events.
2023 Highlights
97%
average satisfaction rating for attendees surveyed at VDC programs
15,000+
attendees at VDC programs, events and services
13,700
record-breaking registrations for all VDC services
500+
events hosted by VDC
3,500
registrations for in-kind events and services for the VET Sector
8000+
registrations for 367 Victorian Government funded PD sessions (a record)
$4 million
provided by Victorian Government to support professional development activities
Since its transition to supporting the whole VET sector workforce in 2012, the VDC has provided close to 4,000 programs, events and services, delivered to 100,000+ attendees.
Governance
VDC is a public company limited by guarantee, with the Victorian Minister for Skills and TAFE as the sole member. VDC is governed by an experienced Board of Directors appointed for their specialist expertise in VET, workforce development and corporate governance.
VDC Organisational Structure
VDC is governed by a Board of Directors appointed for their specialist skills and expertise in Vocational Education and Training (VET), professional development and organisational governance.
VDC staff are supported by specialist consultants and professionals for specific activities as required.
OUR VISION
To be the centre of excellence for continuing
professional learning to the VET workforce
Our Values
We endeavour to demonstrate our values in all our interactions with clients, customers and stakeholders and monitor our impact through survey feedback, program participation rates and demand for our advisory services.
Ethics and Integrity, Respect and Collaboration
through our strongly collaborative approach and trusted relationships.
Life-long Learning and Quality
by continuously seeking out best practice methodologies and engaging in even more strategic collaborations with providers and agencies - to build knowledge. Knowledge that can then be shared across the sector.
Passion and a Customer Focus
through our dedicated efforts to understand the specific needs of our community and to be a partner in their success.
STRATEGIC PLAN
Our goals for 2023
LEADING VDC
Become the recognised leader of continuing professional learning and thought leadership for the VET sector workforce.
CUSTOMER-
FOCUSED VDC
Enable VET providers and VET professionals to equip and inspire the delivery of quality learning outcomes.
ENABLING VDC
Enable the implementation of Victorian Government quality priorities for VET.
THRIVING VDC
Drive growth through exploration of new business opportunities.
BOARD & CEO
Christine has held a wide range of tertiary teaching and senior executive leadership roles in public and private Education and Training Institutes and dual sector Universities across Australia. Her recent roles include Executive General Manager Education and Training at Open Colleges, one of Australia’s oldest and largest providers of fully online VET qualifications, and Executive Director Quality and Performance at Holmesglen, one of Australia’s most innovative TAFE Institutes. Before this she was the Pro Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education and Training at Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory, with responsibility for building a strong and skilled workforce to service major regional infrastructure projects and community and economic development needs across the Northern Territory and South East Asia. She is a member of the ASQA Stakeholder Liaison Group, Holmesglen Institute’s Council for Education and Applied Research and Education Quality Committees and a former Deputy Chair of TAFE Director’s Australia.
Susan Christophers was most recently the Executive Director, International Education Division with the Early Childhood and School Education Group, a division of the Department of Education and Training. With over 20 years as a Senior Executive, Sue has led the development of state and national policy, managed complex projects, and built Victorian government schools as a destination of choice for international students. Sue's passion for education and training has fuelled her career and her impact on state education in Victoria is testament to this passion, her determination and her focus on excellence. Sue was the Chair of the Adult, Community and Further Education Board of Victoria from 2016 to 2018.
Melissa has extensive experience as a People & Culture Executive gained within diverse workforces across private and ASX-listed companies, global multinationals, and government, start-up and for purpose organisations. She has held multiple board and advisory roles, with strengths in governance, strategic planning, and organisational transformation. Currently she is also a Board Member of the National Association of Women in Operations. She is a values-driven leader, who is passionate about the future of work and shaping progressive cultures that deliver value and impact. Recognised for her commitment to diversity and inclusion, Melissa was a Judge of the Women in Industry Awards, Winner of the Australian Human Resources Institute’s Indigenous Engagement Award and Finalist Gender Equality Award.
Clive worked at the MCC for over 20 years. His most recent position was the General Manager, Finance & Business Performance.
He has extensive hands-on experience in management, business leadership, working directly with Board Directors, Lawyers, Banks and Governments with an established record for adding value to the business.
He is highly skilled in financial, strategy, risk, governance and information technology management, which includes budgeting, forecasts, cash control, IT infrastructure, IT Governance, risk and project management.
Brian worked at the Australian Education Union (AEU) for 18 years in roles including the Victorian Branch Secretary, the Federal Executive member and the Vice President, Secondary-Victorian Branch.
In addition to Brian's knowledge of the Victorian education system, through his work in the Federal AEU, he gained extensive knowledge of education systems both interstate and overseas. Brian has been involved in public education for over 40 years as student, teacher, parent and union official.
Karen is a Partner at SHK Asia Pacific specialising in executive appointments in education and organisations with a public / people focus. She has had an extensive career in education and the not-for-profit sector, including leadership roles as University Professor and Chair, school principal (K-12), chief state-wide curriculum writer, author, and researcher. Karen developed the Graduate Certificate, Education Business Leadership for Deakin University - the first course of its type in Australia. Karen has received numerous commendations throughout her career, including a National Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award for the not-for-profit sector, Educator of the Year Award (Australian Council for Education Leaders Victoria) and the Vice Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence.
David Windridge was most recently the CEO/Executive Director of MEGT (Australia) Ltd, Ability English and MEGT UK. David has been a significant figure in the private training sector which has been acknowledged by receiving life memberships with the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET) – now known as Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA), and Group Training Australia (GTA). As CEO of MEGT David oversaw the growth of MEGT from one office in Melbourne’s outer-east to a national entity employing over 800 people with 95 offices and reaching out to students from all over the world.
Gary Workman is currently the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship Employment Network (AEN) & Global Apprenticeship Network (GAN) – Australia. He leads the AEN and its members on public policy, government projects and research activities including overseeing relationships with a wide range of industry and government stakeholders. Gary brings overs 20 years’ experience in the VET sector and has worked on numerous government initiatives in the areas of workforce development, apprenticeships, OH&S, the economic response to COVID-19 and the environment.
The VDC Board has acknowledged the vision and considerable effort of Martin, who developed the business case and rationale for the establishment of the VDC permanent training facilities in Collins Street Melbourne. This initiative has enabled the VDC to expand its professional learning programs and consolidate its market presence to enable record participation. Martin has also refined the VDC team and streamlined business, marketing and corporate practices to enhance and stimulate engagement with the VDC by the professional workforce, government and other stakeholders. Prior to joining the VDC, Martin has held prominent positions in the VET sector. Martin was the National Manager, Services / Victorian Executive Officer for the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET). With TVET Australia and the National Advisory for Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment (NATESE), Martin was Director of the National VET Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC), the COAG advisory committee responsible for independent social policy advice for those groups at risk of disadvantage. His experience extends to broader policy, project and program roles in public sector social policy in the areas of VET, health, corrections, youth services, mental health services, treasury and finance and industry
Financial Reports
To download the 2022 VDC Annual Report and previous reports, please click on the links below:
2022
Annual Report
2021
Annual Report
2020
Annual Report
2019
Annual Report
2018
Annual Report
2017
Annual Report
2016
Annual Report
