Learning to work, working to learn • Thursday, May 6, 2010
A PD day for Work Related Skills (WRS) teachers and work experience coordinators
- Can’t think of innovative ways to deliver WRS?
- Not sure how to make the most out of your students’ work experiences?
- Want to know about resources to teach OHS?
Then come along to this great PD day and help your students prepare for work and learn from work.
Sessions include:
- Dealing with workplace bullying and harassment
- OHS resources to engage young workers
- Helping your students prepare for group interviews
- Why alcohol and drugs and work don’t mix
Register or get more details
SAFE-T1 News
 Term 1 T-shirt competition – deadline extended to 30 April
There are a few more T-shirts to give away to students who answer 5 easy questions from information available on the SAFE-T1 website.
But get in quick – competition closing 30 April.
Learn more
OR get ready for the Term 2 • SAFE-T1 T-shirt competition
Get your students think of slogans to make young workers aware of workplace health and safety. Students should email their best slogan to jan@vala.asn.au
The best slogans will win a T-shirt and be used on the SAFE-T1 website.
More information
 2010 SAFE-T1 Small Grants – up to $500 available
Your students can still apply for one of the SAFE-T1 2010 Small Grants to develop a resource about workplace health and safety. Guidelines and Application form are available at http://www.vala.asn.au/smallgrants.htm
 New resources @ SAFE-T1
New resources are being added to the SAFE-T1 Resource centre on a regular basis.
Check out:
Other news
National Professional Standards for Teachers – DRAFT for consultation
The Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs is seeking feedback on the draft Standards.
The draft Standards describe what is required of teachers at four levels - Graduate, Proficient, Highly Accomplished and Lead across three domains: professional knowledge, professional practice and professional engagement.
Submission deadline now extended to Friday 21 May, 2010
The draft standards are available at http://mceecdya.edu.au/mceecdya/
2010 Consumer Stuff Challenge Competition - Have your students entered?
Consumer Affairs Victoria’s popular student competition is NOW OPEN. More information www.consumer.vic.gov.au/consumerstuff
Victorian Training Awards - Applications are now open
The Victorian Training Awards reward outstanding achievements and innovations in vocational education and training in Victoria. There are over 10 Awards including Victorian School-based Apprentice of the Year Award and Victorian VET in Schools Excellence Award.
Applications due 13 May 2010. Find out more about the awards and how to apply. http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/events/victorian-training-awards
Young people getting a good wrap
Young people too often get a bad wrap in the media and the community. But, young people around the country are doing fantastic things that need to be recognised. In the lead up to National Youth Week 2010 you and your students are being asked to send positive messages about young people. More information http://youngpeoplegettingagoodwrap.blogspot.com/
2010 Mission Australia survey of young Australians
Mission Australia is currently undertaking its ninth annual National Survey of Young Australians.
The survey gives young people (11 – 24 years) an opportunity to comment on a range of issues, including what they value, what concerns them and what they think should be done about those concerns. The responses provide valuable information for anyone concerned about the wellbeing of young people.
The survey can also be completed on line at www.missionaustralia.com.au/youthsurvey
HEAT program
HEAT (Hospitality Employment and Training) is currently taking referrals for the next program starting May 10th 2010. HEAT is a 14-week hospitality program, which is aimed at 16 to 22 year olds who are unemployed and/or not engaged in education and training. For more information visit www.heat.org.au
Opportunity to be involved in the democratic process
The Victorian Electoral Commission needs to appoint over 18,000 additional staff for the State election. Roles range vary from being involved only on election day to working in election offices prior to the election.
People who are between 16-18 years are eligible to work as voting centre assistants. Voting Centre assistants help with the unfolding of ballot papers, and the pack up of the voting centre.
All workers will receive some training and positions are paid.
This is a great opportunity for your students to get a closer look at democracy in action.
To register interest in being an election official during the State election visit www.vec.vic.gov.au/Appointments
Resources
Are you ready to ROC? A serious game that lets young people test drive life
Reach Out Central is an online role-playing game designed to help students to learn and improve skills for life such as communication, problem solving and optimistic thinking in a virtual setting using real life scenarios. Students take on the role of a character that is new in town. It is up to them to work out how to settle in, make new friends and find their way around the place. Students make choices online, see the consequences of their choices and learn from those choices.
To read more about ROC and how it can be used in your work check out the blog here. http://teachers.reachoutpro.com.au/blog/2010/3/5/are-you-ready-to-roc.aspx
 Passport to democracy
With the State election this November and a Federal election on the cards, 2010 is set to be a big year for democracy in Victoria. If you haven’t already run the VEC’s program Passport to Democracy in your school this year is a great time to sign up.
Participating schools receive - for FREE - a fantastic kit of resources and in-class support from our experienced Outreach Officers. Email education@vec.vic.gov.au to request a sample kit of the materials or visit http://passporttodemocracy.edublogs.org for more information.
VET Research messages 2009
This publication brings together the key messages from all research reports published last year by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) together with a concise overview. It aims to assist with the understanding of key trends from the latest vocational education and training (VET) sector research. To download a copy of Research messages 2009, please visit www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2226.html
Australian vocational education and training statistics, VET in Schools, 2008
Provides a snapshot of the vocational education and training (VET) activity undertaken by senior secondary schools students.
To access a copy of Australian vocational education and training statistics, VET in Schools, 2008, please visit www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2230.html
Events
 Knit One Save One
Just by knitting a 20cm square you can help to save a life. 80,000 squares are needed – enough to make 5,000 blankets for children in countries that need a helping hand.
100% wool preferred because it is more fire retardant than acrylic. There is no limit to the number of squares you can knit, colours or patterns you can use. Let your creativity go wild.
Send your squares to:
Knit One Save One
Save the Children
Level 6, 50 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Professional development opportunities
Innovative ways of working with migrant and refugee young adult migrants - a VALBEC Regional Twilight Forum
27 April 2010 @ 6pm to 8pm • Education Centre Conference Room, Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE, Fryers Street, Shepparton
Teachers from the YAMEC course (Young Adult Migrant Education Course) at NMIT will present an overview of the course and partnership projects that demonstrate innovative ways of working with migrant and refugee young adults. These students are aged from 15-26 years of age and usually have not completed secondary schooling. Their experiences as refugees and a range of resettlement issues impact on their engagement in education to develop further English language and literacy skills.
This event is free but will require registration info@valbec.org.au
More
Inquiry based learning for VCAL – discount for VALA members
May 7 2010 • Brighton Beach
Facilitated by Dr Adrian Bertollini, this workshop will enable you to find out how to use inquiry based learning with your VCAL students. Dr Bertolini has been training individuals, businesses and schools around Australia in inquiry-based learning for the past 11 years.
More information
Building Resilience for Young Learners
May 19, 2010 • Victoria University Convention Centre, Sunshine
Consumer Affairs Victoria and the Office of Gaming and Racing are holding an all day conference for educators on the theme of building resilience in young learners.
There is no cost to attend and registration is easy.
More information
VISTA Residential Conference - VET (Vocational Education and Training) – The Invisible Sector?
23-25 May 2010 • Silverwater Resort, San Remo
More information
VALBEC 2010 Conference – I learn ... YOU learn ... WE learn ...
June 4, 2010 • William Angliss Conference Centre
More information
VETnetwork Conference: Creative Futures: The changing landscape
15-17 September 2010 • Adelaide
More information
ePortfolios Australia Conference 2010
3-4 November 2010 • Melbourne
The conference will showcase current e-portfolio practices and the ways e-portfolios support learners to transition between education and training, employment and industry areas.
To register to receive regular updates about the ePortfolios Australia Conference 2010, and details on the call for presentations, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/FN8K9VJ
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