Category information
The Victorian VET in Schools Excellence Award will recognise an outstanding training program which delivers vocational education and training to secondary school students. The program may be coordinated by secondary schools, industry groups, or by way of partnerships between schools, industry and Group Training Organisations, Local Community Partnerships or any other variation.
The winner is awarded $10,000 and is recognised as the best in Victoria’s world-class training system. The winner may represent Victoria at the Australian Training Awards.
How to Apply
Visit the how to apply page on this site for information on applying for this award.
Eligibility and Conditions
The nominated program must be based on training packages or industry/enterprise competency standards and lead to qualifications or statements of attainment under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
You must also agree to the full Conditions of Entry found on this site.
Criteria
Preparing your application
Applications are to be in 12 pt font and a maximum of twenty (20) A4 pages including attachments.
Any material in excess of twenty (20) 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 training* program(s) including its objectives, a description of the environment in which it operates and any specific challenges which were encountered in the implementation of the training program.
*denotes nationally recognised training, ie training which is based on a National Training Package or Accredited Course and results in a formal qualification or Statement of Attainment by a Registered Training Organisation. This includes Australian Apprenticeships.
Section B: Applicants will be judged against the following criteria
- Criterion 1: Meeting student needs
- Criterion 2: Strategic planning processes
- Criterion 3: Industry and community support
- Criterion 4: Sustainability and evaluation of the program
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 organisation. These suggestions are not additional criteria, but are provided to give clarification of what may be relevant to include when writing against the award criteria.
1. How the program meets the needs of the students
Consider:
- details of specific teaching and learning environments, including any unique and/or innovative aspects
- the outcomes of the program, including qualifications achieved by students and whether they are endorsed by State/Territory Boards of Studies
- integration of on-the-job and off-the-job training, including any links with school assessment tasks
- how the program caters for all students including those with special needs, such as Indigenous students, students with disabilities, students from a non-English speaking background, students in remote areas, gifted and talented students
- any strategies in place to encourage participation by all students and support from parents and the wider school community
- Implementation of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in your training program eg e-learning.
2. Strategic Planning processes
Consider:
- details of the external environment in which the organisation operates and its relationship to State/Territory and national policies and priorities
- systems and processes for planning and communicating purpose, vision and goals, values, core business strategies, and creating alignment across the whole organisation.
3. Effective industry/community support
Consider:
- any unique and/or innovative aspects of partnerships and relationships with external organisations
- whether there are formal and informal agreements to facilitate partnerships and provide financial or in-kind contributions to the program including industry engagement
- how the needs of partner organisations and/or the community are met by the program
- any strategies underway to foster new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships, including their impact or level of success
- actions taken to raise awareness of the program in the general community and to build relationships with the general community
- evidence of recognition or acknowledgment by those involved or by third parties
- any support evident from the rest of the school community.
4. Sustainability and evaluation
Consider:
- systems and processes for continuous improvement, including evaluation and review
- capacity for further development or broader application, or replication at other sites
- any plans in place to ensure long term sustainability.
Nomination Form
Download the VET in Schools Excellence Nomination Booklet (PDF 109KB)
What assistance can I get to write my application?
For tips on how to write your application contact your nominators for guidance and download the:
Checklists
Nomination Checklist
Before you submit your nomination, make sure you check the following:
- Have you used 12 point font only?
- Is your application twenty (20) A4 pages long, including attachments?
- Has an official nomination form been filled in and attached?
- Have you read and agreed to the conditions of entry?
- Have you provided 10 copies of your application and nomination form?
Criteria Checklist
Have you answered all of the following criteria?
- Criterion 1: Meeting student needs
- Criterion 2: Strategic planning processes
- Criterion 3: Industry and community support
- Criterion 4: Sustainability and evaluation of the program
2009 Finalists