Victorian Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award

Category information

The Victorian Teacher/Trainer of the Year Award recognises innovation and excellence by a teacher/trainer providing nationally recognised training to students at a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), or in partnership with an RTO. Applications can be made for individuals by RTOs (or in partnership with an RTO), colleagues, professional bodies, students or through self nomination.

The winner is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria’s world-class training system. The winner may also represent Victoria at the 2011 Australian Training Awards.

Eligibility and Conditions

To nominate for the award, the applicant must:

• Be a qualified teacher/trainer employed (or regularly contracted) by a current Victorian Registered Training Organisation for all or part of the period 1 January 2010 – 31 December 2010. All applications must be endorsed by the RTO and evidence of the qualification must be submitted with the application.
• Be delivering training which leads to nationally recognised qualifications or Statements of Attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework national training system.
• Agree to the full Conditions of Entry.
• Be written by the nominee.

Preparing your application

• Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of ten (10) A4 pages plus five (5) pages in attachments (no more than 15 pages in total). Any material in excess of 15 pages will not be forwarded to the judging panel.
• The award criteria should be the focus of your application, however any relevant evidence may be provided so long as it does not exceed the required page limit.

Section A: Overview

Provide an overview of the teacher/trainer’s areas of expertise, qualifications, courses/classes taught, education and work background, a description of the environment in which the teacher/trainer operates and specific challenges which may have had to be overcome during the course of teaching/training.

Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria

• Criterion 1: Excellence and innovation
• Criterion 2: Student focus/outcomes
• Criterion 3: Professionalism and commitment to VET teaching and learning
• Criterion 4: Links with industry or community

Addressing the criteria

When developing your application against the award criteria, you may wish to take into account some of the considerations outlined below, if they are relevant to your experience. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include.

Please use specific examples demonstrating excellence and innovation in developing the application.

1. Excellence and innovation

Consider:

• contribution to the improvement of the Victorian training system, through sharing teaching practices and displaying leadership outside your own teaching department or vocational area
• contribution to a body of knowledge, through articles, speaking engagements or visits to other organisations
• results for students/clients, including unexpected results, or results having industry-wide or community-wide significance
• ability to work outside area of experience and move into different roles
• innovative methods of instruction and communication
• implementation of Information Communication Technology, for example, e-learning.
  

2. Student focus/outcomes

Consider:

• learning methodologies used to engage students, including those with special needs (if relevant) and evidence of these for a variety of student cohorts
• student engagement, including innovative methods of communication and validation
• successful student learning outcomes including data relating to results, completion and participation in a range of courses and certificates
• systems and processes for collecting information on student needs and satisfaction
• student testimonials
• actions in response to information on student needs and satisfaction.
  

3. Professionalism and commitment to VET teaching and learning

Consider:

• convening groups to support professional development
• association memberships
• referee reports
• maintaining ethical standards
• contribution to the maintenance of particular initiatives that support teaching and learning
• acting as mentor/guide for others
• personal engagement in lifelong learning in relation to vocational currency, teaching and learning practices.
• Maintaining knowledge of current issues and trends
• Detail voluntary activities undertaken relevant to professional activities
  

4. Links with industry or community

Consider:

• engaging with other VET teaching and learning professionals within and external to your organisation
• personal/professional industry engagement/testimonials for nominee relating to student achievements/outcomes
• personal/professional community engagement/testimonials for nominee relating to students achievements/outcomes

What assistance can I get to write my application?

A seminar to assist nominees to write effective applications will be held on Wednesday 6 April 2011 at 4.30pm at Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur Street.

Checklists

Nomination Checklist

When completing your application, check that you:

• Meet all of the eligibility requirements for the category;
• Use 12 point fonts only;
• Keep to 15 A4 pages, including attachments;
• Directly address the criteria in your written application;
• Read and agree to conditions of entry;
• Meet the deadline of 6 May 2011 at 5pm (date all applications need to be received);
• Submit online

Criteria Checklist

Have you answered all of the following criteria?

• Criterion 1: Excellence and innovation
• Criterion 2: Student focus
• Criterion 3: Professionalism and commitment to VET teaching and learning
• Criterion 4: Links with industry or community

2009 Finalists

Name	Training Organisation
Ken Radley	South West Institue of TAFE
Barbara Vaughan	GippsTAFE
Marko Dumovic	RMIT

A complete list of past winners and finalists can be found on the Past Awards page.