VET in Schools
Information for Schools
On Campus Programs
The TAFE Environment
Secondary school students entering the TAFE environment for the first time need to understand that they are entering an adult learning environment. Students at Swinburne have either made a conscious decision to learn about a new field of study, or to improve their employability skills. The atmosphere at Swinburne has a flavour of relaxed yet purposeful learning. Policies and procedures relating to students are located on the web at: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/index.php.
Swinburne reserves the right to exclude students from classes in situations where the student behaves in a manner that is inappropriate in an adult learning environment. There will be no refund of enrolment fees in these circumstances.
Application Procedure
Students will require counselling and recommendation for this course by their career teacher. It is important that all students indicate to their careers teachers that they have a genuine interest in their preferred vocational area. In addition the student must:
- be at least 15 years of age;
- currently enrolled in a year 10, 11 or 12 program.
Secondary schools will be notified via e-mail or fax regarding successful applications and also if any classes have been cancelled. Classes will run subject to sufficient numbers.
Successful applicants will receive a letter from Swinburne in regard to the procedures for enrolling.
Delivery Options
Swinburne has developed a variety of delivery options for VET in Schools programs. The preferred model will be listed against each course, however, secondary schools may contact the VET Co-ordinator at Swinburne to negotiate a program using a different funding model, for a group of students. Listed below is a description of the various delivery options:
Third Party Delivery: Secondary school students attend Swinburne one day per week and Swinburne delivers the entire program at a Swinburne campus/es.
Part-time TAFE/Part-time School: The student attends Swinburne one day per week and is enrolled as a part-time TAFE student (0.2). The student attends secondary school four days a week and is enrolled as a part-time secondary school student (0.8).
Blended VET in Schools: The student attends Swinburne during the school term and in addition attends Swinburne for classes during term breaks. The school is invoiced for the third party delivery component (during school term). The student is charged TAFE fees for hours delivered during the school term breaks.
Shared Delivery: Swinburne authorises the secondary school to deliver components of the course on its behalf at the school and the balance of the course will be delivered at a Swinburne campus.
Structured Workplace Learning
Structured workplace learning (SWL), formerly known as work placement, is a valuable component of the VET in the VCE program. Under the SWL arrangements outlined in Ministerial Order 55, secondary students must first have undertaken Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) training before they commence SWL. The finding and management of the SWL is the responsibility of the school unless the student is entering a part-time TAFE/part-time school arrangement.
Fee Exemptions and Refunds
If the student is accepted into a program that is listed as Part-time TAFE/Part-time school or Blended Delivery, the enrolment fee may be reduced when the student or their parents/guardians receive particular Centrelink benefits. Please discuss with the enrolling officer when fees are due for payment.
To be eligible for a refund of fees the student must have officially withdrawn from the course within four weeks of commencement of classes. If eligible for a refund, the minimum fee relevant to the course category will be charged for total course withdrawal except for when the course is cancelled by Swinburne. To receive a refund of fees the student must formally request a refund of fees by completing a Withdrawal from Course form http://www.swinburne.edu.au/studentoperations/forms/tafe.html
Hours, units or hourly rate may be changed to meet any new requirements issued by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA), Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) or Skills Victoria.
Missed Classes and Assessments
Students who miss VET in the VCE classes will be offered make-up classes when available. The VET in the VCE program often has unique units of competence or assessments which cannot be replicated in a make-up class. In this situation, there will be additional charges incurred for additional teaching/assessment involving Swinburne staff to ensure students meet their VCE requirements.
Equity and Disability
Swinburne’s Student Equity Unit ensures all students have equal access to education and also manages the Disability Support Service (DSS) and works collaboratively with the TAFE Disability Support Service.
For more information refer to: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/stuserv/disability/
However, secondary school students who currently have access to disability support or assistance at the school are expected to attend the VET in the VCE program with their designated aid or support worker.
Auspiced Programs
Swinburne TAFE is a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) and works with the Host School to ensure quality outcomes for students. Schools must demonstrate the capability to meet the requirements of the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF).
Swinburne will be responsible for quality assurance in relation to training delivery, assessment and certification and Host School trainers will require current teaching, assessing and vocational competencies.
Memorandum of Understanding
This is a signed, legal document between Swinburne and the Secondary School. Each year a new MOU will be issued for each course being conducted by the Secondary School. The document will outline the roles and responsibilities of each party to the document, including insurance that training and/or assessment services provided on Swinburne’s behalf comply with all aspects of the AQTF 2010 Essentials Standards for Registration.
Fees
Please contact VET in Schools Co-ordinator (details below) for current Auspicing Fees.
Student Withdrawal
Students must withdraw within 4 weeks of course commencement or the ‘$ per student ‘ fee will apply after that time.
Teacher Qualifications
The program teacher must have the new TAE40110 Cert IV in Training & Education (TAE) or TAA40104 Cert IV in Training & Assessment (TAA) (current until 30/6/2012) and a relevant qualification either above or equal to the course that they are delivering. If this is not the case they must be mentored until such qualifications are achieved. (Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) may be available for all or part of the course qualification – see Swinburne staff for details)
Teaching on Behalf of a Cluster
If the school is teaching on behalf of a cluster and they are not delivering the entire program (i.e. some units may be outsourced) then the details of the third party will need to be provided (i.e. qualifications, insurance, permits etc.)
Course Delivery
Secondary school to be mentored by a Swinburne representative who will supply, where possible, Training & Assessment Strategy, Competency Mapping and any other documents/advice necessary for AQTF compliant delivery of the course.
Teacher Absenteeism
School needs to have a contingency plan should the nominated teacher be absent for an extended time. Replacement teacher must have relevant qualifications. Swinburne must be notified immediately of any change.
Meetings
There will be three meetings per year. Swinburne staff will visit the secondary school to check that the program is being delivered in accordance with the MOU and AQTF guidelines. At the end of Term 3 the secondary school will attend a Swinburne campus, along with other schools delivering the same program, to complete a validation session on pre-determined units. This validation meeting will ensure consistency of delivery across schools and allow schools to share their knowledge and delivery strategies.
Student ID
Every student will be issued with a non-photo Swinburne Student ID card.
Structured Workplace Learning (SWL)
VCAA strongly recommends work placement for most programs. If students do participate in SWL them the OH&S module applicable to the course they are studying must be undertaken prior to the work placement. The school will be responsible for the management of SWL.
Scored Assessment
Some VET in the VCE courses have a study score which can contribute directly to the ATAR (formerly ENTER) as one of the students primary four scaled studies or as the fifth or sixth subject. For details of these courses please consult the VCAA website www.vcaa.vic.edu.au.
Results
Secondary Schools must enter student results on the Swinburne on-line results system (Blackboard) at the completion of each unit (training to be provided). They must also supply these results to their own co-ordinator for VASS entry.
Swinburne Certificate
Each student will be eligible for a Results Certificate for their course but only students who complete a full qualification will be eligible for a Swinburne Certificate.
Application for Auspicing
Secondary schools interested in forming a partnership with Swinburne TAFE to deliver a VET in Schools program, may contact the Swinburne VET Coordinator to discuss the process:
Ph: 9726 1646
Fax: 9726 1425
Email: sbrooke@swin.edu.au