The 2012-2015 National VET E-Learning Strategy offers funding opportunities for innovative projects enhancing vocational education and training through e-learning, with amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000. Applications are open to Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) and partnerships, with strict deadlines and requirements for applicable, accessible, and learner-focused solutions. The funding aims to improve access to pre-vocational skills and support pathways to higher education within the vocational training sector.

1. The 2012-2015 NATIONAL VET E-LEARNING STRATEGY
CO-INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
2012/2013

2. This presentation will cover…
• What's this all about?
• Where does this money come from?
• Are we eligible to apply?
• What do we need to know?
• What's involved in running a project?
• Are there different types of project?
• What would be expected of us?
• What is a ‘good application’?

4. 1. Emerging Technology Trials
2. E-learning for Participation & Skills
• Pre-Vocational
• Vocational
• Pathways to Higher Education

5. Emerging Technology Trials

6. Emerging Technology Trials…
in a nutshell….
Amount: Up to $20,000 (+ GST)
Purpose: To fund trials of new and emerging
technologies which will increase VET sector
capacity to facilitate new ways of learning using
technology.
Who can apply: Business, Community & RTO’s
(must have an RTO as a partner)
Applications close: August 10th 2012 (5pm AEST)

7. Trials must be….
• Innovative and emergent
• Must demonstrate innovative use of new technologies…not currently or widely
implemented in the VET sector.
• Learner focused
• Must aim to improve learning outcomes, and must include a trial with a learner
group.
• Applicable and re-usable
• Needs to have potential benefits and application for the wider VET sector
• Accessible and deployable
• Technologies trialled must be widely available (or expected to be soon), and
either comply with national accessibillity standards or the scope of trial includes
investigation of the means to make it accessible.

8. Examples
• e-assessment
• eBooks (especially EPUB)
• mobile technologies, including apps and app development
methods
• guidelines for training organisations addressing the practice of
teachers and learners bringing their own devices (BYOD)
• application of advanced multi-touch technologies eg gesture-
based, smart/interactive TV, large screens and tables etc
• Other…providing the technology has potential educational
benefits for the wider national training system

9. What has been
funded before?
Where are the Guidelines and
Application form?

10. E-learning for Participation & Skills

11. E-learning for Participation & Skills…
in a nutshell….
Amount: Between $25,000 & $50,000 (+ GST)
Purpose: To deliver e-learning projects and
strategies which improve individuals’ access to
gain pre-vocational skills, skills in priority
employment areas or to pursue educational
pathways to gain higher qualifications.
Who can apply: RTOs (in partnership)
Applications close: August 15th 2012 (5pm AEST)

12. Project streams
Applications are invited for the following
streams:
• Pre-vocational
• Vocational
• Pathways to higher qualifications

13. Pre-vocational
Target:
Learners currently excluded or marginally attached to
work and learning; allowing them to gain access to
training and skills needed to participate in meaningful
and sustainable work.
Previous projects: (Partnerships for Participation)
http://pfp2012.wikispaces.com/
Example on next slide….

15. Pre-vocational
Refer:
The National VET Equity Advisory Council
www.nveac.natese.gov.au

16. Vocational
Target:
E-learning projects/strategies to improve access to
recognised training in priority training areas, such as
critical skills and specialist occupations; to maximise
workforce participation and meet current and future skills
needs.
Previous projects: (Access to Skills)
http://accesstoskills.wikispaces.com
Example on next slide….

18. Vocational
Refer:
Skills Australia Skilled Occupation List can be found at:
www.immi.gov.au/skilled/sol/

19. Pathways to Higher Qualifications
Target:
Develop e-learning approaches which support learner
pathway programs which lead to Cert IV or higher VET
qualifications, recognition for Cert IV level to higher skill
sets, entry into higher education and / or enable
workforce development initiatives at Cert IV level or
higher. (E-portfolios had a strong presence in the last
round of projects, e.g. Mahara, PebblePad)
Previous projects: (Pathways to Higher Qualifications)
http://bit.ly/J-J2012HQPP

21. Applications (Online)
• Closes midnight AEST 15 August
2012
• Applications submitted online
http://www.participationandskills.net.au
• Funding between $25,000 and
$50,000 (ex GST) for projects, plus
co-investment
• Submitted by RTO as Lead Agent

22. Milestones Date
Online applications close 15 August 2012
Advice to successful applicants 7 September 2012
Induction events held in jurisdictions 10-14 September
Project contracts completed 17 September
Monthly online meetings and wiki updates Oct 2012-May 2013
Collect and collate baseline data from projects November 2012
Business Manager monitors or visits project teams Feb and March 2013
Participation in end of project National Showcase 24 May 2013 (TBC)
In Melbourne

23. What you need to know…
• It’s about delivery and engagement…not creating new content.
Re-use and repurpose existing material where possible.
• Include a minimum of 10 learners.
• Partnerships are strongly encouraged.
• Co-investment is required (can be in-kind).
• Must support delivery of training for components of a VET
qualification or skills set – www.training.gov.au
• Take place Sept ‘12 – June ‘13

24. Answers to these questions and more at:
Broadband is not available in my region, can I still apply for funding?
Do I have to complete delivery of a full qualification as part of the project?
If my learner group is unable to use or access the internet, can I still apply for funding?
Can I save my online application and go back to it later?
What is the role of the lead agent?
What about intellectual property? How can I test my broadband connection speed?
Can I copy and paste from Word into the online application?
What is high speed broadband? Which industry areas are being targeted?
Is the amount of the co-investment important? Who can submit an application?
Does the co-investment need to be cash?
If my RTO is in one state and learners in the other, which state will my application be
assessed in?
What is e-learning readiness? Can I submit more than one application?

26. In a Utopian world, the Government would provide money where there was a need…
But the reality is…it is not about what you want to do. It’s about what the funding body wants
to achieve (which is the reason for the funding). Write your application with this in mind. 
You

27. Characteristics of previously
successful applicants
• They had a clear explanation (no
jargon or ‘in-house’ language)
• Linking to national and state
priorities (not just their own)
• A strong justification, identifying
needs of the learners & stakeholders
• Evidence of research/understanding
• Strong leadership with relevant skills
and experience
• Sustainable & shareable

28. Project Manager $45,000
Sundry expenses $5,000
$50,000

29. http://tinyurl.com/6rlaq9u

30. Where to now?
• Become familiar with the Guidelines
• Gather support from colleagues, managers, partners etc
• Do your research!!!!!
• Talk to me about your ideas:
– Marlene Manto (SA E-learning Coordinator)
– Phone: 8226 1673
– Email: marlene.manto@sa.gov.au
• Write a successful application! 