Transition, Careers and Vocational Learning
Career Education
Vocational Education and Training in Schools
Work Experience
Research
Directions Newsletter
VET Directions Professional Development Forum
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What's New
Upcoming Professional Development Opportunities
Industry Placements for VET Teachers
‘Industry Placement’ is an important component of being a VET teacher. Funding to support ACT VET teachers in public schools and colleges engage in industry placement is again available this year. The aim of the program is to develop greater knowledge and understanding in an industry sector relevant to your VET area. Teachers in the past have had some wonderful professional development experiences which they have been able to take back to the classroom to enhance their teaching practice.
Placements are for any period for up to 5 days. Relief will be available if the placement is undertaken during class contact time. Should a placement be undertaken during term time but outside class contact hours, no relief will be available.
Industry placements are supported and encouraged in all VET teaching areas. Both the ACT Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Student to Industry (SIP) are happy to assist teachers in finding an industry placement. Interstate is also supported but we do not fund travel or accommodation, just the relief.
If you require further information about industry placements for VET teachers contact Transitions, Careers and Vocational Learning on 6205 7873 or email Penelope.butt@act.gov.au
Download an Application form 
(49kb) and Evaluation form (29kb) (which is to be filled out after the industry placement).
Government VET teachers can now access the CIT Library
As a teacher with the ACT Department of Education (DET) you can access resources from the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) libraries. This arrangement is a Reciprocal Access and Borrowing Agreement.
National Industry Skills Report released 
The National Industry Skills Report provides an overview of three major industry-focused research projects that provide more information about the skills needed to ensure social and economic prosperity. The report gives readers an idea of both current skills needs and likely future skills needs, and offers insight into areas requiring attention to ensure these are met.
E-Network Assessors Community Services
This network is for professionals interested in exploring e-assessment in a teaching and learning environment. The network aims to support
practitioners in sharing ideas and resources involved with managing an online bank of assessment tools for the area of Community Services.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Done Well resources available
Resources from the RPL Done Well forums held around Australia in August are available on the Reframing the Future website. The resources from the forums can be used by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) or individuals to conduct training and professional development in RPL practices.
Teacher Industry Placement Application form 
(32kb)
Evaluation of Teacher Industry Placement (45kb)
Directions Newsletter
Directions is the newsletter of the Transitions, Careers and Vocational Learning Unit of the ACT Department of Education and Training.
The unit works with schools and other stakeholders to support teachers and promote opportunities for students through transitions programs, career education and vocational learning.
August 2008 (194kb)
May 2008 (750kb)
February 2008 (955kb)
October 2007 (229kb)
July 2007 (205kb)
May 2007 (205kb)
VET Directions Professional Development Forum
Directions Professional Development Forum Minutes May 2008 (123kb)
Directions Professional Development Forum Minutes February 2008 (116kb)
Directions Professional Development Forum Minutes August 2007 (80kb)
Directions Professional Development Forum Minutes May 2007 (81kb)
Useful Links
EdNA Vocational and Technical Education
http://www.actcareers.org.au
The ACT Career Education Association assists both public and non-government schoolteachers across the ACT and surrounding NSW.
Australian Apprenticeship Job Pathways
This site focuses on providing practical, up to date Australian Apprenticeships (including Australian School-based Apprenticeships) information. It provides over 2000 Australian Apprenticeships job descriptions that give an idea of the skills that will be gained by undertaking an Australian Apprenticeship. There are 30 interactive, industry job pathway charts that show jobs and careers that can start with an Australian Apprenticeship. There is also a simple and easy step by step guide to assist with finding an Australian Apprenticeship opportunity.
Tradies turn to e-learning
Almost half of trades training providers use some form of e-learning with TAFEs leading the way, a national survey has shown. The E-learning in traditional trades report reveals the most common forms of e-learning are: multimedia interactive resources in the classroom (52%), online access to and downloading of learning materials and resources (48%), electronic submission of work and online assessment (30%). It also found 10% of trades teachers are beginning to use emerging technologies, such as Web2.0, voice and mobile technologies. (Australian Flexible Learning Framework Media release, 23 November 2006).
Business Administration E-Learning
This group is for people who are interested in utilising e-learning to enhance their Business Administration teaching program. The space is used to share ideas about e-learning, and network with other Business Administration Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) practitioners. The group is also used as a space for sharing information about the 2006 FOIL LearnScope Project.
New Software Makes e-learning Development Easy
Teachers and trainers with little more than basic computer skills can now easily build their own online resources thanks to an innovative new e-learning development tool. ARED (Applications for Rapid E-learning Development) is a free tool that can simplify development of online activities by automating the process, making it quicker and easier to create media-reach web based learning resources.
eCommunicate 2.0: Exploring the Read/Write Web
The eCommunications 2.0 network focuses on developing skills in the use of Web 2.0 tools and technologies among teachers of access programs and general education in the vocational and technical education (VTE) sector. The Group will explore the ways in which technologies such as blogs, wikis, social-bookmarking and photosharing can be used in teaching and learning. There is a particular focus on engaging teachers who are new to e-learning, social software and Web 2.0.
http://www.sip.net.au/
Student to Industry Program.
http://www.tvetaustralia.com.au/
The Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Australia website is now available. This website offers a range of services and support to the National Training System. It includes sections on the National Quality Council, the National Industry Skills Committee and TVET Product Services.
Research
Vocational education and training and young people: Last but not least-Tom Karmel
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1736.html
Vocational education and training (VET) is much more important to young people than might be immediately apparent. This paper focuses on how young people participate in vocational education and training, what they study and their outcomes. Of particular note is the importance of VET for those young people who do not proceed on the conventional academic path of 12 years of school followed by university.
Role of VET in helping young peoples' transition into work: at a glance
The recent NCVER research on the role that vocational education and training (VET) plays in assisting the transition from school to work for young people up to 24 years of age has been summarised and is now available in an 'at a glance' format. Download this report
The 'ins and outs' of e-portfolios
New research into current practice, trends and implementation of electronic portfolio (e-portfolio) systems in vocational education and training (VET) has been released.
An e-portfolio is a personal digital collection of information describing and illustrating a person's learning, career, experience and achievements.
The research - called Developing e-portfolios for VET - focused on the potential for e-portfolios to provide an electronic method for learners to record and control access to evidence of their learning.
The research also shows that e-portfolios have the potential to provide a system for learners to record and control access to evidence of their learning for a variety of purposes including:
- recognition of prior learning (RPL) assessment
- assessment during training
- access to portable and verifiable information on qualifications
- resume building.
The research, which was produced by the E-standards Project of the national training system's e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, can be downloaded from:
http://e-standards.flexiblelearning.net.au/news.htm#eportfolio
Career Moves
Destination and Satisfaction Survey of 2005 HSC VET students
This research report outlines the findings of a study undertaken to determine the value to students of vocational education and training (VET) in schools programs in New South Wales. This major survey tracked over 6,000 HSC government school students from 2005 Year 12 cohort.
The research report is available at
https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/media/downloads/dethome/yr2007/vetinschools.pdf
