Communities VET Partnership
COMMUNITIES VET PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE
The Communities VET Partnership Initiative sits within the Strengthening Non-Government Organisations Project (SNGO) promoted by the Queensland Government since August 2005. This project involves a number of collaborative initiatives between the Queensland Government and the community and disability sectors. Each of these initiatives focus on building the capacity of funded NGOs so they can provide high-quality community services.
The SNGO Project consists of nine “key initiatives”. Workforce Development is one of them and it focuses on providing opportunities for NGOs to upskill their staff and volunteers. This upskilling task will be attainable through customised training and development programs for community and disability workers. Such programs seek to support organisations by attracting, developing and retaining a skilled workforce and also by strengthening their management practices. By developing their workforce, organisations can comply with the new Community and Disability Service Standards. To do so, the development programs will be based on six different elements, one of them the Communities – Vocational Education and Training (VET) Partnership.
WHAT IS THE COMMUNITIES VET PARTNERSHIP INITIATIVE ABOUT?
Communities VET is a statewide skills recognition and gap training program run in cooperation between the Department of Communities, Disability Services Queensland and the Department of Employment and Training and the Arts (DETA).
Its principal objective is to provide recognition of prior learning (RPL), gap training and training for critical skills, to approximately 1000 workers engaged with organisations funded by the Department of Communities, Disabilities Queensland . Additionally, this initiative also supports the strengthening of ties between NGOs and regional TAFE s.
As the philosophy of this initiative is to deliver the assessment or training in the workplace, the participant(s) will not need to attend classes at their local TAFE . Instead, an assessor from TAFE will approach the participant(s) directly at their workplace or a place nominated by the NGO. Moreover, the NGO will be able to nominate their own Workplace Assessor (if available) or their preferred assessor from TAFE .
WHAT DOES THE COMMUNITIES VET OFFER?
1. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL ) is the process of formal recognition of a person's current skills and knowledge, no matter how, when or where the learning occurred - formal or informal education and training, paid or unpaid work and general life experience. In order to get RPL, applicants must present sufficient evidence, so the assessor will be able to judge that the applicant meets the competency standards of specified accredited courses. Suitable evidence could be work samples, practical demonstrations, assessment interviews, or references from supervisors; as well as documentation such as training certificates, photos and performance reviews.
2. Gap Training is required when, upon completion of the RPL process, the participant does not satisfy one or more competencies to complete the qualification. If this is the case, the assessor/trainer will design a flexible training plan to meet the gap in the qualification being sought.
3. Critical Skills Training is customised training and learning programs delivered through local TAFE s to address skills shortages. The skills have been previously identified by the organisation as a resource to enhance workforce
capacity and to meet the required Community Service Standards.
SUBSIDIES
Subsidies are available for workers, volunteers and also NGOs participating in this program. These subsidies will be managed through the Key Account Manager (KAM) at Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE .
1. Student / Participant Subsidy : Every participant is entitled to this subsidy.
Amount : $225 max. per student
Available for : Workers and volunteers
Payable : Towards student fee
2. Organisational Backfill / Overtime Subsidy : If staff are involved in RPL assessment and / or training during their work time, as part of the Communities VET Initiative; the organisation may incur in additional costs in backfill or overtime to staff. The organisation may apply for this subsidy as compensation for these additional expenses.
Amount : $600 max. per participant
Available for : Workers only
Payable : Directly to NGO
3. Organisational Subsidy for RPL Assistance : The organisation may claim this subsidy as compensation for time and resources incurred in the gathering of evidence and other staff supervision and support
Amount : $187.50 max. per participant
Available for : Workers and volunteers
Payable : Directly to NGO
KEY CONTACTS
Carolyn Ovens Jenny Corrie Catalina Lizarazo
Senior Project Office Project Officer Administration Officer
Ph 07 3234 1701 Ph 07 3234 1713 Ph 07 3234 0324
covens@workforce.org.au jcorrie@workforce.org.au clizarazo@workforce.org.au
EXTERNAL SUPPORT
If your organisation requires additional information and support in determining the assessment and training needs of staff, the following Queensland Government program can assist:
1. Skilling Solutions Queensland
This is an innovative new training and career information service to assist the organisation in identifying skills gaps, and the individual in setting professional goals. This face-to-face service is provided by specialist consultants who take into account the training requirements of the organisation along-side the skills and background of the staff, suggesting the best career pathways and training options.
Where participants meet the appropriate criteria, Skilling Solutions Queensland offers a $500 subsidy towards the cost of enrollment for recognition of prior learning (RPL). To be eligible for this subsidy, it is essential that the participant(s) consult with Skilling Solutions Queensland, prior to enrolment . This subsidy may be used in conjunction with the Student / Participant Subsidy ($225 per participant) offered by the Communities VET Partnership Initiative.
Contact SSQ at: Ph 1300 654 687 or visit their website for more details: www.skillingsolutions.qld.gov.au
IMPORTANT LINKS
Community Door
www.qld.gov.au/ngo/careers/education/vet/
Department of Communities
Department of Disability
DETA
Education Portal
QCOSS
Resource Generator
RPL www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/client/jobs_and_careers/skills_recognition/rpl.html
Skilling Solutions
www.skillingsolutions.qld.gov.au
Skills First www.trainandemploy.qld.gov.au/partners/training_delivery/rpl/index.html
Volunteering Queensland
www.volunteeringqueensland.org.au