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2021 QLD Schools VET Conference

6 Aug 2021

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Program

Friday, 6 August 2021

8.00am - 8.30am
Registration
8.35am - 8.40am
Welcome Address by Velg Training and Major Sponsor - Connect 'n' Grow
8.40am - 9.10am
QCAA Update (Invited)
9.10am - 10.00am
Mental Health in Secondary Schools - My mate and I
10.00am - 10.30am
Morning Tea & Networking
10:30am - 11:30am
RTO Managers
How Does VET Scale in the New ATAR System
Michelle Devitt
Trainer & Assessor
Dissecting a Unit of Competence
John Dwyer
Future Vision
Purpose Power Passion - Understanding the psychographics of youth
Saxon Phipps
11.35am - 12.30pm
RTO Managers
Supporting Staff with Industry Currency & Building Industry Connections
Melanie Alexandra
Trainer & Assessor
Incorporating Foundation Skills Into Training
Chemene Sinson
Future Vision
National Careers Institute Update
Invited
12.30pm - 1.30pm
Lunch & Networking
1:30pm - 2:30pm
RTO Managers
Motivating Teachers to Engage with VET Outcomes and Compliance
Tony Kirton
Trainer & Assessor
Importance of Plain English in VET
Leonie Swift
Future Vision
Future of Micro-learning & Micro-credentialing in the AQF
Matthew Dale
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Afternoon Tea & Networking
3:00pm - 4:00pm
RTO Managers
How using VOCEDplus can build your Understanding of VET
Tracy Gamlin
Trainer & Assessor
Engaging Learners - Resources and Activities
John Blake
Future Vision
Riding the Reform Wave
Craig Robertson
4:00pm
Conference Concludes

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Conference Concludes

Location

Brisbane Convention Centre

How using VOCEDplus can build your Understanding of VET

Category

RTO Managers

Location

Rooms P1-2

Are you a training provider, VET practitioner or researcher? Then you need VOCEDplus! Find out why in this informative demonstration. We will introduce you to VOCEDplus and show you how to access everything you need to know about the VET sector. Discover quality information resources provided by VOCEDplus, including the VET Knowledge Bank, the VET Practitioner Resource, and the Pod Network. We’ll also show you the best ways to search the database to find key VET research, policy, practice and statistics from Australia and the rest of the world. Come along and learn why VOCEDplus is the VET sector’s not-so-secret weapon.

Tracy Gamlin

Research Librarian, NCVER

Tracy Gamlin is a Research Librarian with the Knowledge Management Branch at the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). With more than 20 years’ experience in the Library sector across a range of settings, Tracy has extensive knowledge and expertise in information management. Tracy has worked on key projects to support the development and enhancement of the VOCEDplus repository during her 12 years at NCVER and is passionate about raising awareness of VOCEDplus.

Engaging Learners - Resources and Activities

Category

Trainer & Assessor

Location

Plaza Terrace

Whether improving the foundation skills of students and employees or providing pathways to lifelong learning, the responsibility rests with the trainer.

This session will provide a number of simple yet practical ideas for VET teachers, facilitators and trainers endeavouring to enhance their learners' knowledge in a training-world seemingly ruled by the computer, video and PowerPoint.

See how easy-to-create activities can align with multiple learning styles to engage your participants. By employing a variety of content-appropriate activities, learners can't help but enjoy acquiring pertinent knowledge for the field.

John Blake

Consultant

With a unique industry skill set, John combines 30 years of work and teaching in Hospitality, EAL & Foundation Skills, and more recently, Educational delivery. Having worked in 20 countries in cross-dimensional environments teaching participants of all ages and walks of life in a variety of RTOs and businesses. 

John is passionate about the opportunity he has to inspire teachers and trainers to go beyond their PowerPoint and engage participants with multimedia learning platforms to build meaningful relationships. 

As teachers get excited at PD and seminars, they often take good ideas back in to their own classes and practice and re-invigorate their educational strategies and approaches.  

With his own company, and having worked for both large and private RTOs, universities and dozens of organisations and industry groups enhancing training, John enjoys re-inventing vocational education, helping to make theory interesting through creative delivery approaches, contextualising assessments for specific industry needs and making a difference for the transformation of more knowledgeable industry-ready learners.

Riding the Reform Wave

Category

Future Vision

Location

Rooms P3 - 5

Despite the disruption to education caused by COVID 19 major reviews of and reforms of post-school destinations have proceeded.

The Shergold Review has been released, VET reform continues at a pace, university funding has been radically altered and next steps on the AQF Review are unclear even though the recommendations have been accepted.

The Shergold Review - LOOKING TO THE FUTURE REPORT OF THE REVIEW OF SENIOR SECONDARY PATHWAYS INTO WORK, FURTHER EDUCATION AND TRAINING – has deep ramifications for VET in the school setting.

Craig Robertson, CEO of TAFE Directors Australia will look at how Shergold’s recommendations will play out for schools alongside other changes in the post-school environment. 

Attend this session to consider some great insights that schools will find useful in contemplating priorities.

Craig Robertson

CEO, TAFE Directors Australia

Craig Robertson commenced as CEO of TAFE Directors Australia in April 2017. The organisation promotes nationally and internationally the critical role that TAFEs play in tertiary education in Australia. TAFEs are core providers of vocational training and further education as a pathway to higher level training and education, and partner with industry and business to develop their workforces and assist in implementing new production processes and services. On behalf of its members TDA also works with global multi-lateral organisations, and with overseas governments and their industry and provider representatives to assist in the deployment of training and workforce development to enhance economic capabilities.

Prior to joining TDA, Craig worked in the Victorian Government in 2015 and 2016 with responsibilities for the operation of vocational education and working with Victorian universities. During this time the Victorian Government implemented a new approach to vocational education and training with a priority on quality delivery with funding aligned with the expected costs of delivery. Central to the reform was dedicated public funding which recognised the unique role TAFEs play in tertiary education and workforce development across the state, as well as to support outreach to businesses and industry to support innovation and productivity improvements in their production models.

Craig also worked for over 30 years in the Australian Government with responsibilities in national policy and program delivery relating to employment services, funding for schools and most aspects of vocational education and training. Craig has represented the Australian Government in G20 meetings of labour and employment ministers and the OECD, and bi-laterally with a range of foreign governments. In Australia, Craig has led work at the federal level on joint Commonwealth-State policies and funding agreements, introducing income contingent loan arrangements for the VET sector, instigated apprenticeship reform and reformed regulation policy and VET qualifications. Craig was also an inaugural member of the Australian Qualifications Framework Council formed in 2011.

Craig holds an Executive Masters in Public Administration from the Australian National University and a Bachelor of Education (Primary) from the University of Canberra.

Afternoon Tea & Networking

Location

Plaza Terrace

Motivating Teachers to Engage with VET Outcomes and Compliance

Category

RTO Managers

Location

Rooms P1-2

Motivating Teachers to care about VET related compliance obligations can be challenging. The complexity of VET compliance and the associated paperwork can lead to difficulties with motivating Teachers and fulfilling our compliance obligations.

Thankfully, research from the fields of Social Psychology and Behavioural Economics provide valuable insights in how to influence people to engage in the workplace and motivate them to complete important, but what some might consider, mundane tasks.

Drawing on the work of Behavioural Economist, Dan Ariely and Social Psychologist, Dr Robert Cialdini we will explore several evidence-based principles for influencing and motivating people in the workplace.

Together, we will look at the (sometimes) hidden power of cognitive biases, or ‘mental shortcuts’, and how these can be leveraged to influence people and consequently motivate them to engage with and take ownership of their work.

You will leave this session with an understanding of how factors such as meaning, the need for human connection and ownership in one’s work can be used to influence motivation and engagement in the workplace.

Expect an interactive session where you will learn about research-based strategies for influencing and motivating your VET Teachers in activities such as compliance, completing administrative tasks, or achieving VET outcomes.

To get the most out of this session, please bring your internet connected mobile device.

Tony Kirton

Senior Instructional Designer & Faciltator, Engage Learning & Development

Tony Kirton is an instructional designer and workshop facilitator with more than ten years’ experience in learning and development. Founder and senior designer at resource design consultancy Engage Learning and Development (formerly DES Learning), which contracts to the public and private sector, Tony develops traditional learning programs as well as e-learning using Articulate Storyline. Tony has extensive experience in the application of learning design theory, having designed many training programs and hundreds of assessment resources.

Tony’s recent instructional projects include major programs for:

  • NSW Health - A six-module e-learning program for frontline managers
  • SafeWork NSW - Update of General Construction Induction (White Card) assessment materials and redesign of the five-day Health and Safety Representative Training, both mandated for use by SafeWork NSW
  • Australasia International School - Designing learning tools for Diplomas of Leadership and Management and Project Management, specifically for students with English as a second language.

Known for his engaging and evidence-based approach to workplace learning, Tony also facilitates training and assessment with some of Australia’s leading training providers including the Australian Institute of Management, NSW Health and SafeWork NSW.

Continuing to extend his expertise and keep up-to-date with the latest practices in learning and development, Tony recently completed a four-month leadership program with the University of Michigan. He is currently completing an Instructional Design and Technology MicroMasters program with the University of Maryland (USA).

Importance of Plain English in VET

Category

Trainer & Assessor

Location

Plaza Terrace

Let's face it - no one likes to wade through pages of waffle. Plain English is clear, concise writing, which is easy to understand - the first time you read it.  

Plain English is especially important for VET trainers. Complex training resources or ambiguous assessment questions can confuse and frustrate your readers. By using Plain English, you give your learners the best chance of success. And its not just your learners who will benefit- your colleagues and clients will also appreciate clear, readable text.  

Key topics covered: - 

  • Increased readability = higher client satisfaction
  • Engaged, happy learners = higher completion rates
  • Huge savings in time and money (fewer clarifications and complaints) 
  • Improved image - your RTO will be seen as credible, ethical and approachable 
  • More return business

Leonie Swift

Plain English Consultant

Leonie is a writing consultant and plain English trainer. She is a qualified librarian and holds a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment. She has worked in both state and local government for over 20 years in a variety of contexts including libraries, customer service and corporate communications. In all her roles, she has applied her passion for writing, training and clear communication. Leonie has always had a keen interest in language and literacy and recently developed Redland City Council’s first Adult Literacy Tutoring Program.

Leonie is an articulate speaker and a strong advocate for the use of plain English in all business and training documentation. Through her business, Plain English Matters, she provides professional development on how to apply the principles of plain English to create elegant, jargon-free documents.

Future of Micro-learning & Micro-credentialing in the AQF

Category

Future Vision

Location

Rooms P3 - 5

The way we learn, and work is changing. The way we make secondary education available to our students needs to be re-visited. Teachers need to be asking themselves if the teaching methodology, curriculum design and learning content that they are utilising is first of all responsive to the needs of learners, and secondly if they are preparing students for life and work beyond secondary education. Micro-credentials offer a range of possibilities and are already being used in secondary education across Australia.  

Key topics covered:

  • This session will provide clarity and definition on exactly what a micro-credential is,
  • This session will explore a number of case studies where secondary schools across Australia have already started to use micro-credentials as a way of delivering engaging and responsive education to their students
  • Finally, this session will help you to identify opportunities to develop and deliver micro-credentials in your secondary school

Matthew Dale

CEO, Audit Express

Matthew Dale is the Chief Operations Officer of Audit Express, Matthew is passionate about Australian training and education, specialising in organisational development, knowledge management, quality, compliance and internal audit. He has been a vocal and energetic campaigner for policy change and the reduction of regulation and red tape in the VET sector. Matthew was previously a senior policy advisor to the Victorian Minister for Skills and Training, and also publishes regularly on the topic of regulation and industry best practice. Matthew is a graduate of Monash University with his studies focussed on Adult Learning and Development, he has previously worked as an RTO Manager, and Compliance Manager for both an industry-focussed not-for-profit organisation and a large national RTO which operated in all states and territories.

Lunch & Networking

Location

Plaza Terrace Foyer

Supporting Staff with Industry Currency & Building Industry Connections

Category

RTO Managers

Location

Rooms P1-2

Industry is a fast-moving train travelling through an evolving world of local, national and international destinations.   

As a proud nation, we seek to equip our future working generations with knowledge and skills that keep them in the running across a competitive employment terrain, whilst giving them a valid ticket to ride that train!   

As conscientious RTO Managers we look to ensure our VET teachers provide the next generation of workers with knowledge and skills essentials to meet current industry expectations and the needs of future employers.   

As such, this session has been designed to provide RTO Managers with focussed currency strategies by looking at:  

  • The ‘whys and wherefores’ behind acquiring and maintaining industry currency 
  • The role of the school RTO in supporting the currency of its teachers
  • The importance of adopting and building relevant industry connections that give you, and your teachers, a higher level of control over scheduling and implementing currency activities, and 
  • The ‘how to’ of establishing and fostering positive relationships between school and industry.

Melanie Alexandra

Vocational Education and Training Consultant and Resource Developer

Melanie has held a variety of roles in both the Academic and VET sector over the past 25 years, winning awards for practice excellence in teaching and learning and outstanding leadership. As a Trainer and Assessor, Head of Faculty and Program Manager Melanie has authored and developed curriculum , delivered nationally recognised and accredited programs in schools, colleges and universities, and provided professional development workshops, webinars and online learning programs to training professionals. As an RTO Manager, Melanie has lead RTO teams and businesses from a critically non-compliant status to successful re-registration and as Head of Quality Assurance and Lead Verifier, worked extensively with regulatory bodies to ensure high standards of quality and compliance. Melanie was Senior Lead Auditor for the Queensland Curriculum and Assessment Authority, conducting regulatory audits and registrations. She is now Velg Training's VET Consultant and Resource Developer.

Incorporating Foundation Skills Into Training

Category

Trainer & Assessor

Location

Plaza Terrace

As a vocational teacher or training manager of teachers, you play a crucial role in the lives of your student. In this interactive workshop, we'll discover how a focus on foundation skills can improve training outcomes and equip your learners for today's constantly-evolving world-of-work. We'll help you identify practical ways to build learners' foundation skills through your training. 

  • Explain what foundation skills are and describe how they impact learner performance 
  • Identify facilitation strategies that  
  • Can be built into vocational training delivery 
  • Help learners develop the foundation skills needed to attain competence and meet workplace expectations

Chemene Sinson

Blackwater Projects

Chemène Sinson is a learning and performance specialist with 30+ years of experience working with diverse industry clients, both in Australia and internationally.  She draws on her experience as an Olympian, elite-level sport coach, school teacher and adult educator to help organisations develop and implement accredited or tailored learning experiences that build a culture of learning within organisations and improve personal performance.

Chemène has been actively involved in VET since 2000.  She is lead TAE trainer for numerous RTOs and has written TAE materials that more than 100 RTOs have used since their release in 2010.  She also supports experienced facilitators and assessors with their ongoing professional development and is a sought-after speaker at conferences and special events.

Chemène advocates for a strong focus on foundation skills in VET, knowing that these are key to meeting performance demands imposed by today’s world of work.

National Careers Institute Update

Category

Future Vision

Location

Rooms P3 - 5

Session Information Coming Soon!

Invited

Coming Soon!

How Does VET Scale in the New ATAR System

Category

RTO Managers

Location

Rooms P1-2

In this session QTAC will provide practical information on the introduction of ATAR in Queensland and targeted insights for VET practitioners and student advisers, including: 

  • How ATARs are calculated;
  • ATAR rumours, myths and legends;
  • VET as a pathways to tertiary study; and
  • The answers to questions that students are asking you! 

Michelle Devitt

Cheif Analytics and Technical Services Officer, QTAC

With 20 years’ experience in the tertiary education sector, Michelle Devitt is a self-professed data nerd and a strong advocate for tertiary study pathways. As Chief Analytics and Technical Services Officer, she is leading the introduction of ATAR at QTAC.

Dissecting a Unit of Competence

Category

Trainer & Assessor

Location

Plaza Terrace

As VET Teachers how often do we go back to the actual unit of competency that we are delivering to our students? A unit of competency is a description of the skills and knowledge required for the JOB or JOB FUNCTION that is defined in the unit title. Through our delivery and assessment of the unit of competency we are preparing students to be “job ready”.

A unit of competency sets a standard. It is not a curriculum or set of teaching notes or an assessment activity although it will inform each of these. In particular it defines a way of measuring and judging “competence” with regard to the specified job role or job function.

This session will answer the question: How does a unit of competence really work and how can it be linked to our curriculum and assessment activities? It will explore how the unit and its associated assessment requirements work together, what the components of each of the parts are and how they are linked to our teaching and assessment activities

Join John Dwyer for this session where he will use actual unit components and actual assessment items to illustrate points made.

John Dwyer

Senior Consultant Velg Training

John Dwyer is a national VQF/AQTF trainer/assessor and consultant with experience in education and training spanning more than 60 years. He brings extensive Registered Training Organisation (RTO) experience and has a comprehensive history in developing and delivering a range of workshops and webinars on assessment, compliance, Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), moderation and validation processes relating to VQF/AQTF compliance.

Purpose Power Passion - Understanding the psychographics of youth

Category

Future Vision

Location

Rooms P3 - 5

Keep up to date with the latest research and insights from Year13 via this break-down of exclusive data from the very latest "After The ATAR III" report (the third instalment in the After The ATAR research). 

The After the ATAR research has been focussed on looking at some of the causes of the social and economic issues that young people today are facing. The third report really identifies the lack of sense of purpose and lack of passion faced by this country's youth when it comes to the transitional journey that is leaving high school. 

In this session you will learn about what is driving your people's decisions as they finish school and plan their future. Explore their perceptions of what 'purpose' means and the impact that purpose has on their decision making process.  

You will also hear about the "4th industrial revolution" and how it will be embraced in VET, Higher Ed and the world of work. 

Don't miss this thought provoking content that could really help you shape your students' futures!

Saxon Phipps

Director, Year13

Saxon Phipps - Founder and director of the Year 13, Australia's largest digital platform for high school leavers. Saxon is a passionate leader with determination and work ethic, he is unwaveringly committed to empowering the audience of Year 13. Saxon is a creative thinker and has a natural ability to assess what the Year13 audience desires through the use of data and insights. Saxon and the team at Year 13 have been able to apply this process to develop several youth engagement strategies for the likes of the Department of Employment, Westpac, and The Department of Education & Training. He regularly speaks at events about youth employment issues, using the data from the 2017 & 2018 reports known as 'After the ATAR and After the ATAR II : Understanding how Gen Z transition into further education and employment

Morning Tea & Networking

Location

Plaza Terrace Foyer

Mental Health in Secondary Schools - My mate and I

Location

Plaza Terrace

It can be really tough to see a student you’re working with struggling, especially when you suspect there may be a mental health problem at play.  We’re in the teaching profession because we want to help develop our students fully, enabling them to be the best they can be.  

We often wonder how to do that best when we suspect mental health problems might be in the mix. Should I say something? What if saying something makes things worse? What if I’ve got it wrong? What if I don’t do anything? These are all questions we ask ourselves along the way.  

I am one of those lucky people who went to school with their best mate, right from Kindergarten to Year 12. In this keynote, I’m going to share with you our story of going through school together, and the incredible impact our teachers had on us.  

I’m going to overlay that story with some facts and statistics on Mental Health and common Mental Illnesses.  

With one in five Australians experiencing a mental health problem every year, it’s incredibly important that we become fluent in Mental Health and common mental illnesses.  

It was over 20 years ago now, but my mate was one of the ‘one in five’, and looking back with the benefit of crystal clear hindsight, there were many times along the way where I think it was clear that he was experiencing anxiety. 

As an adult I have often wondered, what could have been different for him if the teachers knew how to spot the signs, and knew what to do when they did.    

Join me as I share our story with you.  We’ll explore what it’s like for a young person experiencing mental health problems at school. I’ll show you what the signs were for my mate, and what you can do when you see them. 

We’ll definitely laugh. We might even cry. But I guarantee you’ll leave feeling empowered and confident when considering the mental health needs in your school. 

Nick McEwan-Hall

Coach & VET Specialist

An experienced VET professional, Nick has worked in roles from trainer to RTO Manager, in both not-for-profit sector and commercially oriented RTOs. It is fair to say that Nick attained his leadership experience by 'rising through the ranks'.  

Nick is currently General Manager of a small RTO focussed in the leadership and executive coaching space, and the co-founder of AVETMISS, a small compliance practice. 

Most recently, Nick has been focusing on Mental Health in the workplace and is an accomplished and accredited Mental Health First Aid facilitator, highly sought after for his ability to facilitate learning in this sensitive space.  

Known for his high quality, practical and people-focused leadership, Nick has a knack for breaking down complex scenarios and problems and implementing solutions that work. 

A skilled facilitator and speaker, Nicks sessions are fun, practical, down to earth and above all, you're guaranteed to leave with new skills you can put into practice straight away. 

QCAA Update (Invited)

Location

Plaza Terrace

Welcome Address by Velg Training and Major Sponsor - Connect 'n' Grow

Location

Plaza Terrace

Registration

Location

Plaza Terrace Foyer