1. Pathways Diploma Development and Demonstration Project David Symonds, Manager VQA Frances Lamb VQA Briefing Session Wednesday 17 May 2006

2. Background & Context Expanding Post School Education Pathways Victorian TAFE Association (VTA)  Discussion paper – September 2004  Feasibility paper – June 2005 Knowledge & Skills for the Innovation Economy: future directions for Victoria’s VET system – statement by the Hon.Lynne Kosky, MP, Minister for Education and Training, 2002 Report of the VET Inquiry, DE&T 2006 Maintaining the Advantage: Skilled Victorians A Victorian Government initiative, 2006

3. Project Purpose Develop and accredit a Pathways Diploma qualification framework/template Trial at a number of demonstration sites

4. Outcomes Development of qualification which:  offers student pathways into employment, further training or higher education  has support of local industry, employers, education and training providers Implementation at demonstration sites with:  supporting strategies and guidelines documented

5. Students Senior Secondary Training VET HE Education Industry Employment CommunityLLEN Consortia Approach

6. Consortia Composition Project team to include:  active practitioners from education & training sectors and industry/employers  expertise in qualification development  relevant others

7. Consortia Leadership A Senior Officer at each organisation in consortium to endorse Project proposal. Project at demonstration site:  overseen by person at Senior Management level  has coordinator on behalf of consortium  has appropriate management structure

8. Role of VQA VQA officer’s role:  Liaises with and oversees all Pathways Diploma projects  Advises all projects on format of documentation Pathways Diploma Project Reference Group:  Provides advice to support the project

9. Characteristics of Pathways Diploma The Pathways Diploma will:  be a VET qualification at AQF 5  be post senior secondary certificate of education  offer outcomes into employment  provide structured qualification linkages to further or higher education  include high level applied and conceptual knowledge

10. Underpinning Principles The Pathways Diploma will:  be flexible and rigorous  integrate theoretical and practical learning for industry contexts  extend competence into capability  provide pathways to employment and further/higher education  meet identified local needs  involve participatory development  be AQTF compliant

11. Target Group Potential learner cohort includes 18–30yrs who:  have a senior secondary certificate  are not in training / further study and wish to increase options for future study/career direction  started but not completed a tertiary course  unable to find F/T work, may be in P/T work or may be unemployed

12. Application Process The application process is in two stages: Stage One: Expressions of Interest Stage Two: Full proposals invited

13. Expressions of Interest Base expression of interest on:  evidence and rationale drawn from research  knowledge of local/regional factors  local employment patterns and needs  potential of cross sector qualification linkages  consultation with local employers, industry and community

14. Evaluation Criteria Expressions of interest will be evaluated on: Cohort  identification target learners  identification of organisations to be involved and their contribution Capacity and commitment  education and training sector  industry/employer sector cont…..

15. Methodology  processes to support an effective and innovative approach to the Pathways Diploma development and demonstration Projected context, structure/content of the Pathways Diploma  industry, occupational and career emphasis/outcomes  practical and theoretical emphasis of the qualification  structured qualification linkages Evaluation Criteria

16. Timelines  Friday 2 June 2006 Lodgement of Expressions of interest by 5.00 pm  Friday 9 June 2006 Evaluation/selection/notification of submissions to proceed to Stage 2  26 June 2006 Full proposals submitted  July – December 2006 Development of Pathways Diploma  Semester 1, 2007 Demonstration projects commence