Heading home

It was with sadness that we farewelled the Fellows early on Saturday morning. They are all heading home but the project continues during the next few months while the Fellows implement their projects. We will be holding a post project evaluation workshop and workplace visits in Feb/March 2011.

Week 3 - Adelaide

We set off to Adelaide on Monday 13th September to attend a week of engagements. We started at NCVER on Tuesday morning. Thanks Phil Loveder for a comprehensive overview of the work that NCVER do. A number of Fellows plan to follow up with NCVER and continue the relationship.

In the afternoon we visited the new offices of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework SA Team. What a team! Thanks, Annie, Stephan, Kim, Marlene, Melanie, Alison, Seema and Elena. We had a really informative overview of what possibilities there are with flexible learning tools. Watch this space as a number of the Fellows are keen to trial some things back in their workplaces.

On Wednesday,Thursday and Friday we attended the VETNetwork 2010 Biennial Conference
We met and heard from many inspiring speakers.

Week 2 - Official Welcome Dinner

The official welcome dinner for the Fellows was held on Monday 6th September at the Hunter TAFE Hamilton Campus. It was fantastic to see the work by TAFE students, including preparation of the beautiful meal, international students serving the food and students from Kurri Kurri Campus Floristry section who prepared stunning arrangements of Australian wildflowers for the tables. Mick 'Didge' Davidson provided a fascinating performance of the didgeridoo.

An official welcome was provided by our hosts, the Vice Chancellor of the University and the Director of Hunter Institute. His Excellency Mr Mauritz Lindeque from the South Africa High Commission also spoke about the importance of collaboration and working together.

It was a wonderful night. Thanks to all involved!

Week 2 - Professional Placement

Week 2 began with a professional placement at TAFE NSW Hunter Institute. An overview of the structures of the Institute was provided as well as a tour of the Newcastle Campus. In the afternoon the Fellows attended a presentation on teacher qualifications and professional development. During the week there were opportunities to meet with a range of Hunter Institute staff. All the Fellows agreed that all the staff they met during the week were so helpful and shared their knowledge so willingly. There were opportunities for each Fellow to visit teaching sections, learn about student recognition processes, establishing partnerships with industry and developing effective student support systems. It was a good but very full week!

Week 1 - Hard at work

Here are some comments from the Fellows about the first week of activities.

"It was good to get an idea of the national structure and how VET works in Australia"

"I have learned about the strong industry/learning connections here in Australia. The group training idea is new to us"

"We are keen to develop industry partnerships with our colleges"

"I have learned that we can cater for diversity in learning and different ways of assessing a learner"

"It's been great to interact with so many different stakeholders who are all so experienced in VET"

Week 1 - VET Issues Workshop

During the first week a 2 day workshop was held on a range of current issues related to VET. The workshop provided an excellent opportunity to open up discussion around a range of topics including, national structures, policy, literacy and numeracy issues, strategies for inclusiveness and equity, teacher professional development and the opportuniy to hear from senior VET executives here in Australia.

Week 1 Australia

Week 1 was very busy for everyone!. The Fellows arrived rather weary after their long flight.

We did start off the first day with some orientation to the wildlife of Australia - our gorgeous koalas and other animals who live at Blackbutt Reserve right in the middle of Newcastle. We are so lucky to have this beautiful place to show our international visitors.