Effective learning pathways provide people with the skills and knowledge needed to gain employment and manage their careers . The Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector has been set ambitious targets to increase the number of working aged Australians who have a formal qualification.
The second round of funding is for the Higher Qualification Pathways Project which offers opportunities, through targeted funding, to develop e-learning approaches to support learner pathway programs which lead to higher level qualifications and/or improved employment outcomes. The funding will provide support for learners to gain higher level VET qualifications, recognition for higher skill sets and/or entry into higher education and enable workforce development initiatives for individuals seeking to upgrade their skills.
The Higher Qualification Pathways Projects seeks expressions of interest for funding of up to $30,000 to develop innovative technology-based delivery/support models which allow individuals to gain higher VET qualifications, skills sets and/or entry into higher education.
Delivery or support models may include:
- the co-delivery of Diploma level qualifications and/or above which involve both VET and Higher Education (HE) learners
- to support learners transition from VET to HE through articulation or credit transfer pathways
- for supporting recognition of prior learning (RPL) at a Diploma level and higher VET qualification(s) or skills sets
- for enabling workforce development programs at Diploma level and higher VET qualification(s) or skills sets
- to help disadvantaged/non-traditional learners or learners with a disability progress to a Diploma level or higher VET qualification(s) and/or skills sets which support learners with a Certificate IV to progress towards a Diploma level or higher VET qualification(s) or skills set(s)
The National VET E-learning Strategy (which replaces the Australian Flexible Learning Framework) will seek co-investment to promote the growth in broadband-based training; support the adoption of industry-wide e-learning programs; develop e-literacy; and improve access to training.
Interest in the initial round of funding opportunities for the National VET E-learning Strategy for the first six months of 2012 has been high.
Information about the Higher Qualifications Pathways Project can be found at www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/NVELS-funding-opportunities-jan-jun+2012.