VET Innovation for Schools

The VET Innovation for Schools Award recognises excellence in schools that are developing innovative and new mechanisms for encouraging VET pathways in their schools so that their models and programs can be publicised and shared with schools across the state.

Please note this is a South Australia-only award category. Nominees are encouraged to consider submitting a direct entry to the Australian Training Awards in the School Pathways to VET Award category.

Eligibility criteria

Your organisation must:

  • have delivered VET programs to secondary school students within the past two years
  • have delivered VET programs based on national training packages or accredited courses that lead to qualifications or a Statement of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework
  • ensure VET programs are also be based on the SACE Board register of accredited training for use in schools.

Collaborative ventures between schools and other VET stakeholders (including public and/or private RTOs and Group Training Organisations) are encouraged. One application will be accepted for collaborative ventures of this nature.


Preparing your nomination

Section A: Overview

Provide a brief description of your program, including the reasons why you are applying for this award.

Limit: 500 words

This information will not be considered or used for judging purposes, but it may be used as your summary throughout the Awards process.

Section B

Applicants will be judged against the following criteria:

Describe the training and include consideration of:

  • your teaching and learning environments, including any unique aspects
  • integration of VET within the general school learning environment, and how you ensure this links with recognised training as well as employment opportunities
  • development of vocational skills as well as foundation skills
  • innovative structure, content, delivery and assessment of your VET programs that sets you apart from other schools and training organisations
  • capacity to share and replicate your VET program (and the systems you have developed to enable this) with other schools and training organisations across the state.

Limit: 800 words

Describe how your school plans, coordinates and resources VET; include consideration of:

  • the extent to which you consider state and national labour market needs and industry skills requirements
  • flexible curriculum and timetabling that allows for structured workplace learning and flexible vocational pathways
  • engagement with ongoing VET policy reform at both national and state levels
  • the breadth of resources used for VET and how you acquire and manage those resources
  • processes implemented to ensure the sustainability of your VET programs.

Limit: 800 words

Describe how your school measures the success of VET; include consideration of:

  • how VET programs are leading to successful outcomes for students in further education, training and skilled careers
  • the collection and analysis of data on student progress, transition and completions
  • identifying and meeting the training requirements and professional development needs of your staff
  • the impact of your VET programs on students, including any who may (in some way) be marginalised
  • your review of the effectiveness of your VET programs to ensure continuous improvement at both a program and school level.

Limit: 800 words


Describe the impact of your VET programs on local employers and the broader community; include consideration of:

  • the collaboration you have developed to ensure students have ease of transition to earning or further learning
  • the support your VET programs have received from local employers and the broader community
  • the expansion of available training pathways, in particular for the broader community
  • promotion of VET and student outcomes (both internally and externally)
  • the change in attitude towards skilled careers among the schooling sector and broader community.

Limit: 800 words


Attachments

Up to ten single A4 page attachments to be provided at a 100 per cent ratio, with one document per page.

All attachments need to be referenced in the nomination.


Key dates

  • 25 March - Nominations open
  • 24 May - Nominations close
  • June—July - Judging process
  • August - Awards finalists announced
  • 25 September - South Australian Training Awards Gala Presentation
  • November - Professional Development workshops for individual winners in preparation for the Australian Training Award
  • 6 December - Australian Training Awards, Canberra