News Archive

The importance of ongoing learning and development is essential in all industries and workplaces. The VET sector is no exception. In a recently released book “Supporting the Workplace Learning of Vocational and Further Education Teachers: Mentoring and Beyond” author Susanne Francisco draws on her long experience as a VET teacher educator and developer. What are […]

Outcomes for those international students studying onshore and completing their qualification is one of the regular NCVER statistical reports. The latest one was released in late April 2022.

“The report Australian vocational education and training statistics: international onshore VET qualification completer outcomes 2021 provides a summary of the outcomes of international students who completed their VET qualification in Australia in 2020. It uses data collected in mid-2021, with 14 574 international onshore VET qualification completers responding to the survey.”

A new addition to the VOCEDPlus Knowledge Bank series is Erica Smith’s Landmark Paper which takes a historical look at the apprentice and traineeship system in Australia.

It provides an excellent overview of apprentice and traineeship training in Australia. Landmarks in the Australian apprenticeship and traineeship system concludes that the apprenticeship system is essentially conservative, as it generally attempts to balance competing interests, with the result that systems are slow to change.

Erica suggests that this is perhaps why the sector’s landmark reports do not address apprenticeship’s role in innovation; or why radical ideas for reform such as those proposed by Skills Australia (2010) or COSTAC (1990), or even the suggestion by the Apprenticeships Reform Advisory Group (2010) for a thorough review of why apprenticeships have not been taken up.

VDC is excited to announce the launch of the 2022 VDC Teaching & Learning Conference, Re-Emerging. Featuring Keynote Speakers:

• Li Cunxin AO: former international ballet star turned stockbroker and currently the artistic director of the Queensland Ballet, and a remarkable man borne of a remarkable story.
• Layne Beachley AO: 7-time world champion surfer and speaker on self-empowerment and mental wellness.
• Michael Carr-Gregg PhD MAAPI: one of Australia’s highest profile psychologists, author, broadcaster and specialist in mental health.
• David Bartlett: former Tasmanian Premier and speaker on Decoding the Future.

Visit the conference webpage to see our exciting online two-day program which includes Professional Learning Workshops, Presentations and Panel Discussion by coveted and highly regarded presenters.

Are you a new teacher working with a Skills First provider in Victoria? Apply now for a place in VDC’s Teaching Fellowship Program valued at $5,000. This is an exciting opportunity for you to learn effective strategies which will provide a solid base in developing your teaching and learning capabilities.

Get in quick, registrations close on 19 June 2022.

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The Victorian TAFE Association State Conference 2022 will be held in Bendigo

on the 24^th to 26^th August.

The aim of the conference is to inspire Leading Through Change and supports stakeholders to explore important issues and rethink ideas, exposing audiences to innovative educational and operational ideas and opportunities.

We are very delighted to announce that Tasneem Chopra will be the Master of Ceremonies for this event who will also provide a keynote address. Tasneem Chopra is a cross cultural consultant, author, curator, and social justice advocate. Tasneem Chopra was awarded an OAM in 2020.

In one of the other articles in this issue of VDC News we talked about the importance of networks for VET staff and suggested there is a need to refocus on them as a means of improving quality.

Let’s now focus on what a 2006 paper said about what networks we might consider and what they can help us do.

Professional learning networks: are these something we need to be taking more seriously now?

Networks, communities of practice and special interest groups have been around for a long time in VET, but maybe the time is ripe to re-invigorate and better support the concept?

The Victorian budget for 2022-23 was handed down by the Victorian treasurer Tim Pallas on 3 May.

It is wide ranging, but in VET terms touches on two key issues: VET delivered in secondary schools and approaches to skilling Victorians.

ASQA has developed and released details of its “draft model for self-assurance” using a co-design process with the sector and other stakeholders.

The link above also includes a summary of what they have been told about what the self-assurance process needs to involve. This is a really good read and we recommend you have a look at it!