Pathways Diploma Development and

Demonstration Project

David Symonds, Manager VQA

Frances Lamb VQA

Briefing Session Wednesday 17 May 2006

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

Project Purpose

Develop and accredit a Pathways Diploma qualification framework/template

Trial at a number of demonstration sites

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

Students

Senior Secondary

Training

VETHEEducation

Industry

Employment

CommunityLLEN

Consortia Approach

Consortia Composition

Project team to include: active practitioners from education & training

sectors and industry/employers

expertise in qualification development

relevant others

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

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 

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

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

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

Application Process

The application process is in two stages:

Stage One: Expressions of Interest

Stage Two: Full proposals invited

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

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…..

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

Timelines

Friday 2 June 2006Lodgement 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 2006Development of Pathways Diploma

Semester 1, 2007Demonstration projects commence