Ian Kenny

1. E-portfolios
A VET/ACE perspective

2. VET Landscape
 National training system
– Skilling workers
– Provide pathways to higher education
 National framework
– National (industry specific) Training
Packages
– Australian Quality Training Framework
(AQTF)
 Australian Qualifications Framework
– Certificate I to Advanced Diplomas
 5000 institutions (RTOs) with 1.7 million students

3. What is happening in VET in Australia?
Let‟s just say, it is interesting times...

4. New AQF
 The Australian Qualifications Framework
underpins the quality and integrity of
Australian qualifications.
 The new Australian Qualifications
Framework (AQF 2011) was introduced on 1
July 2011.

5. New VET landscape
 The AQF (2011) covers all education and
training sectors that issue AQF qualifications,
and in looking forward to an integrated tertiary
education sector, uses terminology that is not
sector specific.
 The AQF (2011) introduces a new „levels‟
structure, with 16 „types‟ of qualifications being
allocated across the ten levels.

7. New tertiary landscape
 Blurring of sectoral boundaries
 Clearer and stronger pathways for students
 Stronger focus on meeting industry needs
 More choice for students at all levels
 Challenges the traditional student journey

8. New Regulatory Body
 COAG agreed to the establishment of a
National VET Regulator in 2009
– Australian Skills Quality Authority
(ASQA)
– National Vocational Education and
Training Regulator Act 2011
– VET Quality Framework (July 2011)
www.deewr.gov.au/vetregulator

9. The VET Quality Framework
 Standards for NVR Registered Training
Organisations
 Fit and Proper Person Requirements
 Financial Viability Risk Assessment
Requirements
 Data Provision Requirements, and
 Australian Qualifications Framework.

10. Contestable Funding
 COAG agreed on a need for fundamental
reform “to ensure training is more responsive
to the needs of industry and individuals in a
dynamic economy”.
 “A more flexible and demand-driven training
system, seeking greater contestability of
funding for public training and greater
competition between providers”.
COAG Aug 19 2011

11. COAG targets
 Halving the proportion of Australians aged 20-
64 without qualifications at Certificate 3 level
and above between 2009 and 2020
 Doubling the number of higher [VET]
qualification completions (Diploma and
Advanced Diploma) between 2009 and 2020.
 Increasing the proportion of 25‐34 year olds
with bachelor level qualification or above from
32 per cent to 40 per cent by 2025.

12. COAG recommendation on USI
 COAG gave in principle support for a unique
student identifier (USI) 2009
– greater capacity for individuals to manage
their learning and skills development
– gain credit for their existing learning and
obtain transcripts of qualifications or
achievements
– improving the capacity of providers to verify
learners‟ existing achievements
– endorsed by MCTEE November 2010

13. Key themes and players
COAG
Training
Package AQF
Reform
Foundation Access and
Skills Participation
ASQA
DEEWR
Increased National
Competition Regulator
Higher
qualifications
MCTEE FLAG

14. Legacy of the Framework
2000-2004 2005-2007 2008-2011
The emphasis: Capability building Client engagement Integration
The strategy: Demonstrating and Engaging with clients Embedding
raising awareness of from key policy target e-learning in training
the potential of groups providers and
e-learning businesses
The focus: Building provider Strengthening the role of Capitalising on the
capability clients in shaping VET infrastructure and
provision to meet their knowledge created to
needs date

15. 2012-2015 National VET E-learning Strategy
Goal 1: NBN Goal 2: Workforce Goal 3: Access
Development and Participation
Develop and utilise Support workforce Expand participation and
e-learning strategies to development in industry access for individuals
maximise the benefits of through innovative training through targeted e-
solutions
the national investment in learning approaches
broadband
1.1 NBN E-learning 2.1 Industry System Change 3.1 Partnerships for
Programs Participation
1.2 New Generation 3.2 Access to Skills
Technologies for Learning
3.3 Learner Pathways
1.3 Broadband Content
Services

16. E-portfolios
E-portfolios provide a way to support successful
learning pathways by enabling learners to
manage their lifelong learning records
Curyer et al, 2007

17. E-portfolios and VELS
 Learner Pathways (3.3.1 and 3.3.2)
USI
ACE
VELS
COAG
ASQA AQF
DEEWR
E-portfolios

18. The story so far...
Research
reports & Action Community
Guidelines
Positioning Research of Practice
papers
Managing Learner Discussion Forum
Information 2009 Trials – RPL
& Fast Tracking
E-portfolios & Webinars
RPL
Concept
2010 Trials – brochures
Privacy Impact E-portfolios and
Learner
Assessment Privacy (draft)
Transitions
Blog
Verifying Learner
Info Resource Centre
2011 Trials -
Accessing Communication National
Learner Info Conference

19. VET E-portfolio roadmap
Available from: http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/content/e-portfolios-resources

20. Current activity
 Focussed on enabling a national e-portfolio
standards via the VET E-portfolio Roadmap
 Verification of learner information through USI
 Portability and access control of that
information

21. How are e-portfolios being used?
 Workplace learning & assessment for
apprentices and trainees
 RPL and e-Assessment
 Individual learning plans to help learners
achieve their goals
 Supporting continuous professional
development
 Integrating with other e-learning activities

22. What‟s happening in WA?
 Establishing a state-wide e-learning platform
– LMS (Blackboard or Moodle)
– Virtual Classroom (Elluminate)
– E-portfolio (Mahara)
– Single sign on