This paper draws on a research project which developed a change management strategy to assist two TAFE institutes in addressing and improving their planning culture. It outlines the principles and processes which emerged from the research and presents the guidelines for linking the strategic planning process to actions and performance within the different levels of a complex vocational education and training (VET) organisation. The paper should be of interest to VET organisations seeking practical ideas and guidance in how to implement organisational change and development processes.
There have been major advances in online learning in recent years. However, the use of some technologies - such as web conferencing - have not been fully explored in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This paper reports on a trial of web conferencing that was conducted by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. There was a high level of participation and interaction by both students and teachers during the trial, and most were positive about using web conferencing as a means of communication.
This paper was a before-dinner address to the Management Team Retreat of NCVER in October 2007. It looks at how education and training has changed over the last 15 years, and discusses topics such as sustainable development, leadership and management, and literacy and numeracy.
Australia needs highly skilled workers to sustain a healthy economy. Current employment-based training models have limitations in meeting the demands for highly skilled labour supply. The research explored current and emerging models of employment-based training to propose more effective models at higher VET qualifications that can maintain a balance between institution and work-based learning.
This research examined recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in Queensland. Interviews with apprentices, employers and teachers showed that the traditional model is still well regarded. It is not failing, but does require evolutionary change.
The welfare-to-work policy aims to encourage certain welfare recipients to pursue pathways that lead to paid employment. This report explores the role that the vocational education and training (VET) system can play in assisting people move from welfare to work. The researchers examined the experiences of VET students from the relevant welfare groups and sought the views of other key stakeholders such as TAFE and Centrelink personnel. Conclusions include that VET can play a positive role but that there needs to be collaboration between VET and income support sectors to ensure that potential barriers are overcome.
This brief publication accompanies the report 'Who's supporting us? TAFE staff perspectives on supporting students with a mental illness'. Aimed at TAFE staff, it provides a summary of the key findings of the report, including lessons from participants about strategies to help students with mental illness, and useful resources.
Students reporting a mental illness do poorly in vocational education and training (VET) compared with other disability groups. This is a challenge for the VET sector. Teachers and support staff are at the frontline in responding to the needs of these students and this research explored staff perspectives on how TAFE institutes in Australia are supporting students with mental illnesses.