Access & Equity
The Victorian Government is committed to providing access for all members of the community to participate in vocational education and training (VET).
Access and equity seminars
TAFE Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Coordinators seminar
Skills Victoria facilitated the TAFE Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Coordinators seminar to provide coordinators with an opportunity to discuss programs, resources and information relating to CALD students. Coordinators gained an insight into the role of the Victoria Police’s Multicultural Liaison Unit and the provision of a TAFE Community Engagement Model that is successfully engaging the CALD community in the Dandenong region. The seminar was held at Chisholm Institute of TAFE in October 2009.
Presentations
- Access and Equity - TAFE CALD Coordinators Forum Successful transition for Equity Groups presentation (PPS 427.0 kb) Presentation on access and equity tranisition for culturally and linguistically diverse groups.
- A Community Engagement Model for CALD Communities presentation (PPS 1.6 mb) Presentation by Chisholm Institute of TAFE on a community engagement model for CALD communities.
- The refugee experience implications, practice and transitions presentation (PPS 2.0 mb) Presentation by the Victorian Foundation for Survivors of Torture, Foundation House on the refugee experience, implications, practice and transitions.
For more information on the Victoria Police Multicultural Advisory Unit visit the 'Victoria Police' website.
TAFE Equity Program Managers seminar for learners with disabilities
Skills Victoria coordinated an all day seminar and workshop for the TAFE Equity Program Managers for learners with disabilities. The discussions focused on TAFE institutes’ Disability Action Plans and institutes’ programs for learners with disabilities. The institutes shared their experiences on disability action Pplans and how to effectively achieve cultural change, and include people with disabilities into an institute’s core business. The seminar was held at Box Hill Institute of TAFE in October 2009.
Presentations
- Successful transition for Equity Groups presentation (PPS 419.0 kb) Presentation by Skills Victoria on successful transition for equity groups.
- A Skills Victoria Access and Equity project presentation (PPS 1.5 mb) Presentation by Box Hill Institute of TAFE on a Skills Victoria access and equity project on learning disabilities.
- Overview of the Disability Action Plans presentation (PPS 1.2 mb) Presentation by the Office of Disability, Department of Planning and Community Development on Disability Action Plans.
- Skills Victoria Project presentation (PPS 161.5 kb) Presentation by Kangan Batman Institute of TAFE on the support and management of disability transition models.
- Overview of the legislative framework around disability presentation (PPS 329.0 kb) Presentation by Skills Victoria on the legislative framework around disability.
- The National VET Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC) presentation (PPS 2.6 mb) Outlines the National VET Equity Advisory Council (NVEAC) roles and responsibilties. For more information on NVEAC visit their website.
Equity showcase
Skills Victoria funds a diverse range of innovative projects to improve access and outcomes for disadvantaged learners from various equity groups.
The equity groups targeted by this initiative were:
- Indigenous
- disengaged youth
- mature age
- disability
- culturally and linguistically diverse.
The program enables TAFE Institutions and private registered training organisations to develop and trial new and innovative programs.
Vocational, education and training practitioners share their knowledge and resources on good practice and innovative approaches to working with equity groups in detailed project reports.
For more information, see the Equity Project Reports on this website.
Access and participation publications
There are a number of government publications available that detail the strategies in place to increase diversity and participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with disabilities, cultural and linguistically diverse people, and cross equity groups.
Diversity publications
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006
Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 ensures basic human rights including economic, social and cultural rights. These include rights to basic living standards, such as access to food, housing, social security, education and health.
This is available from the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website.
A Fairer Victoria – The Victorian Government's social policy action plan
A Fairer Victoria sets out actions that will improve access to services, reduce barriers to opportunity, strengthen assistance for disadvantaged groups and places, and ensure that people get the help they need at critical times in their lives. The actions comprise new initiatives and reforms to the delivery of services.
A copy of this publication and a report on the progress are available from the Department of Premier and Cabinet website.
Choice, participation, outcomes: Women in VET 2003
Choice, participation, outcomes: Women in VET 2003 is a consultation report that draws together the research and consultation undertaken between April 2002 and February 2003 to inform the process to refine the National Women's Vocational Education and Training Strategy (1996-2000).
A copy of this report is available on the RMIT University website.
Publications to increase access and participation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
Victorian Indigenous Affairs Framework
The Victoria Indigenous Affairs Framework describes how the Victorian Government will improve opportunities (including education and training) for indigenous Victorians.
This is available from the Department of Planning and Community Development website.
The Wurreker strategy
The Wurreker Strategy released in July 2000, is a Victorian Government partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated to improve outcomes for Koories participating in the TAFE sector.
This strategy is available from the Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated website.
Partners in a Learning Culture
Partners in a Learning Culture and its Blueprint for implementation are the national strategy and plan of action for increasing VET access and outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Visit the Australian Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website for copies.
Publications to increase access and participation for people with disabilities
Bridging Pathways
Bridging Pathways and its Blueprint for Implementation are the national strategy and plan of action for increasing opportunities in VET for people with a disability.
Copies of these publications are available from the Australian Government's Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations website.
Navigating TAFE: A Guide for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students
NMIT - The Center of Excellence for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (CEDHH) provides information and advice for students who are deaf and hard of hearing. The Centre was established in 1993 as a result of funding from Skills Victoria, and the funding enabled CEDHH to produce an interactive DVD, Navigating TAFE: A Guide for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Students.
To order a copy of the DVD, please contact the Centre of Excellence for Students who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing.