Course Complete AND Job Ready! Presented by: Judy Sinclair State Co-ordinator Victoria/Tas Virtual Enterprise Australia

Hands on learning – applied learning Developing critical thinking skills Self management skills Developing business skills Employability and enterprise skills Meeting curriculum requirements What are we about?

How do we do this? 106 VE’s operating in Australia with approx 3,200 students

Students set up and run a virtual business (Virtual Enterprise - VE) Teachers facilitate in the VE workplace Local business person mentors students and teachers in business skills Students work across Australia and internationally, buying and selling virtual goods and services using virtual money How do we do this?

Scandinavia 276 Australia 106 Brazil 98 Argentina 30 USA 309 Canada 43 China 46 South Africa 4 Europe 2850 Great Britain 24 Eastern Europe Where are Virtual Enterprises located?

Students work in teams (departments): Finance & Purchasing, Sales & Marketing, Administration, Human Resources All students’ VE work contributes to their assessment & a portfolio for future use Focus is on action learning: PLAN – ACT – REFLECT – UNDERSTAND Students learn about their own skills & interests How does the learning work?

How is the VE organised? Manager Administration Finance & Purchasing Human Resources Sales & Marketing Roles: Reception Telephone Customer service Mail & mail register Office supplies Time cards Roles: Processing sales Stock control Market research Advertising Promotions Web development Sales dispatch Roles: Financial management Accounts receivable Accounts payable Purchasing Roles: Personnel records Salaries & leave Professional Development planning OHS EEO

What happens?

In their department teams the students: plan their business activities (financial, marketing, business planning) do real business work – marketing, invoicing, reconciliations, selling virtual products to other VE’s Follow real business world procedures (OH&S, HR, Reception duties etc) How is the VE organised?

Students: employees learners buy and sell virtual goods and services work in teams take on different jobs in the firm set goals and objectives respond to business situations Main stakeholders: Students

Business partner: Provides the hands-on business learning Introduces real-world ideas, strategies and processes Acts as mentor and coach Provides a role model for the VE to replicate Hosts visits to a real business Main stakeholders: Business Partner

Products: Cars & car accessories Travel & accommodation Office stationery & furniture Fitness gear Photocopiers Transport & distribution Conference facilities Food Stationery Postage & stationery Air travel Business partner: David Nutter Ford Carlton Crest Harvey World Travel Australia Post Rusher Rogers Recruiting Fuji Xerox TOLL SA Tourist Commission Corporate Express McDonalds Crocodylus World Main stakeholders: Business Partner

What real-life experience?

Main stakeholders: Teacher Teachers/Trainers take on roles as: Facilitator Co-ordinator Assessor Developer of resources Advisor Trainer Supporter of the learning process

Virtual Enterprise Trading National Office Services - VE banking - VE energy co. - VE phone co. - VE rental - VE council & website VE

16 Main stakeholders: VEA National Office is based in Melbourne Operates VE Bank, VE Energy, VE Legal Maintains and develops the website at Members’ section has e-commerce trading Students upload product information and buy/sell to students in other VE’s B2B trading; B2C trading; international trading

Year 9 and above VET/VCAL(Business, Business Administration, Financial Literacy, IT (applications), Retail, Travel & Tourism, components of Hospitality VCE Business Management, Accounting Work Readiness; Workplace Practices; Workplace Education; Careers subjects Which curricula?

VE activities are aligned to curriculum outcomes or competency units VE time is the practical time allocated to the selected curriculum Theory time is separate to VE time Focus is on ‘learning by doing’ and demonstrating effective learning How does a VE fit into a curriculum?

Workplace assessment strategies Observation, questioning, demonstration Variety of examples to satisfy assessment requirements (power points, events, etc) Assessment can be self/peer/group initially Regular reporting on progress helps develop presentation skills and report writing Reflective diaries and journals can demonstrate individual student progress What assessment?

Why use this learning method? Students are engaged in real work, real outcomes on school premises while developing knowledge and skills in three main areas: Business processes and systems Employability skills - communication, teamwork, problem solving, initiative, planning, self management, learning and technology Specific program, curriculum or training package units selected (can be part of a curriculum, or a specific number of units in a training package)

Why use this learning method? Assists the transition from school to work, from school to university or TAFE Assists with career planning Provides opportunities for networking on a local, national and international level Keeps ICT skills current with international trading, e- commerce Develops relationships - Students work in teams - Teachers engage in local networks - Mentors work with students & teachers

Annual membership ($1850 for schools) Physical set-up (computers, work stations, photocopier, fax, phone, etc) Consumables (postage, paper, binders) & basic office equipment Costs

School agrees to establish a VE McDonald’s licensee agrees to mentor VEA provides training & support Teacher & students & mentor collaborate in planning and developing the VE Mentor may support in other ways, etc paying VE subscription Key Characteristics of MVBP

McDonald’s Mentor May provide: advice on business structures, planning visits to restaurant industry placement for teacher up skilling work experience for students business model & products to simulate in the VE other types of support as negotiated

Our Mission: To offer innovative learning solutions for developing employability skills to match the needs of business. a not-for-profit company grew out the Australian Network of Practice Firms (ANPF) 25 Virtual Enterprise Australia

Judy Sinclair: Mob: National Office: T: Website: Questions?