e-works PD Program

Adding the 'e' to e-learning action learning PD Program.

This program begins 1 March 2010 and involves 5 days of face-to-face support with 1 hour elluminate sessions between these days.

Contact Debbie Soccio - Debbie.Soccio@eworks.edu.au for details

NCVER Papers

Just off the press ...
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Vocational education and training workforce data 2008: A compendium
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_Editor: Hugh Guthrie_
This is a compendium of three reports. The first examines the size and attributes of the vocational education and training (VET) workforce using a variety of data sources. The second looks more specifically at TAFE's workforce. The final report considers the feasibility of a national VET workforce collection.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2218.html
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The role of vocational education and training in the labour market outcomes of
people with disabilities
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_Cain Polidano, Kostas Mavromaras_
Low levels of education generally among people with a disability is one of the factors contributing to their lower rate of labour market participation. The role vocational education and training (VET) plays in ameliorating this is the focus of this report.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2215.html
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What would it take? Employer perspectives on employing people with a
disability
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_Peter Waterhouse, Helen Kimberley, Pam Jonas, John Glover_
The purpose of this study was to answer the question 'what would it take' to enable employers to employ people with a disability.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2219.html
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Building capability in vocational education and training providers: The TAFE
cut
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_Hugh Guthrie, Berwyn Clayton_
This paper focuses on issues which affect the capability of TAFE providers to meet their clients' and stakeholders' needs and draws extensively on the reports of the consortium research program which examined ways to help build vocational education and training (VET) provider and workforce capability.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2224.html

Research Report

WIDE RANGING REFORMS NEEDED TO STRENGTHEN THE NOT-FOR-PROFIT SECTOR


There is a need for wide-ranging reforms to remove unnecessary burdens and costs faced by the not-for-profit sector and improve its accountability. This is the key message of a research report released by the Productivity Commission. Better regulation, improved funding arrangements and enhanced opportunities for innovation would improve outcomes for the community and the public’s confidence in the sector. Putting the Commission’s case for reform, Presiding Commissioner, Robert Fitzgerald, said ‘the proposed reforms would directly address concerns about the multiplicity of regulatory requirements, poor collaboration between the sector and governments and emerging capacity constraints. They would thereby create a much stronger foundation for this expanding sector‘.

NCVER Report

New research suggests vocational education and training (VET) improves employment outcomes for people with a disability who don’t have a job.

Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the report found that for an average person who is out of work and has a disability, completing VET increases the likelihood of getting a job from 9% to 29% in their first year after completion.

What would it take? Employer perspectives on employing people with a disability will be available from NCVER’s website on Friday, 12 February from 9.30am AEDT http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2219.

CONFINTEA VI

The Sixth International Conference on Adult Education (CONFINTEA VI) took
place from 1 to 4 December in Belém do Pará, bringing together more than
1,000 participants from over 150 countries.


We would like to extend our sincere thanks for the support that the
delegation of ICAE lent to this crucial UNESCO Conference, which contributed
greatly to its success.



We should like to draw your attention to the CONFINTEA VI website
(http://www.unesco.org/en/confinteavi/), which provides a day-to-day record
of the proceedings of and presentations made during the Conference. We are
currently updating all online materials in order to provide a full range of
documents, offer a precise account of the presentations made by panellists
and speakers, and incorporate last-minute amendments.


The Final Conference Report will be completed and made available in the near
future.

E-standards Updates

E-standards - updated for 2010!

The vocational education and training (VET) system’s e-learning standards (e-standards) for the creation of online resources have been updated for 2010, supporting e-learning accessibility, affordability and interoperability.

The 2010 e-standards – which are available both online and in printable Word and PDF formats – are published by the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), and endorsed by the National Senior Officials Committee (NSOC).

Key updates in the 2010 e-standards include revised operating system, browser and plug-in support to bring the standards for development and testing into line with the systems commonly used in VET. Accessibility requirements have also been updated to improve access for a greater proportion of users. For more information on the updates, click here.

The e-standards are supported by the revised, user-friendly VET E-learning Content Development Guidelines. These guidelines are easy to use, setting out three basic steps for developing VET e-learning content – develop, package and describe.

E-standards and the VET E-learning Content Development Guidelines are essential documents for anyone involved in the planning, development or management of VET resources.

The Framework’s E-standards for Training Business Manager, Kristena Gladman, said that the e-standards are a vital part of the national e-learning infrastructure, and have substantial benefits for the VET system.

“E-standards support collaboration irrespective of organisational boundaries or location. They establish a common technical platform which facilitates the exchange, development and testing of online resources. This can save organisations time and money, as resources can be easily shared and reused and development costs can be spread across a greater number of users,” Kristena said.

“Learners also benefit from increased access to high quality e-resources which can be easily customised by trainers to suit learners’ individual needs.”
E-standards for Training will be revising other key e-learning resources, including the m-learning standards, the VET Teacher E-learning Toolkit, and VET tools for e-learning content, throughout 2010. Stay tuned to the E-standards for Training website for updates: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-standards

NSW Teacher Accrediation Fees

INSTITUTE OF TEACHERS AMENDMENT (ACCREDITATION FEES) REGULATION 2010


The object of this Regulation is to amend the Institute of Teachers Regulation 2005 as follows: (a) to increase the annual fee (to $100) for teachers who are accredited (other than transition scheme teachers who are conditionally accredited), and (b) to increase the application fees for: (i) a preliminary assessment of a teacher’s level of professional accomplishment or professional leadership (to $65), and (ii) accreditation of a teacher at professional accomplishment level or professional leadership level (to $605 and $715, respectively) (less $65 if the applicant has been preliminarily assessed in relation to that level within the last 3 years).

On line e-Gems session

2010 E-learning Innovations applications - the Dos, Don’ts and Musts!

Date: Thursday 18 February 2010
When: 12:30pm – 1:30pm AEDST
Where: http://tinyurl.com/2010-egems-fundingfrenzy

This e-Gems session will outline the key aspects that your E-learning Innovations funding application needs to address, and provide hints on the dos, don’ts and musts. This includes priority areas, funding categories, risk strategies, the project management plan, impact and sustainability, and budget.

Visit http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-events for more information and to register for this free online event. This session will be archived and available online through the e-events site for further reference.

E-learning funding

- online applications open

Online applications for E-learning Innovations funding have opened around the country.

Provided by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), this $5.3 million in funding and support will help registered training organisations develop innovative e-learning solutions to better support the training needs of business and industry.

The online application has streamlined the process of applying for funding, with RTOs now able to log in, work on their application, and save their work along the way.

Applications close 2 March. For more information, application guidelines and local Innovations Coordinator contact details, visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations

NCVER Paper

Work-life issues and participation in education and training


Natalie Skinner National Cente for Vocational Education Research


01 February, 2010


Using data from the 2009 Australian Work and Life Index, this report examines how work-life pressures influence the capacity and motivation of individuals, particularly low-paid workers, to engage in education and training.

Skills Strategy to Benefit Retrenched Workers in Tasmania

Premier and Minister for Education and Skills, David Bartlett, announced that retrenched workers will be among those guaranteed a place in education and training from 2010. At the official opening of major labour hire company Skilled Group's state headquarters redevelopment in Burnie, Mr Bartlett said that the inclusion of retrenched workers was a key part of Tasmania's first-ever comprehensive Skills Strategy.