Workforce Development
TAFE NSW is strengthening the way its services are delivered to industry, communities and customers. Innovative approaches that encourage partnerships, creativity, responsiveness and flexibility are at the core of doing business.
Workforce Development Unit
The Workforce Development Unit places importance on the staff at TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute and their capacity to perform at high levels in a rapidly changing working environment. The services provided by the Workforce Development Unit include:
Coordinate and conduct workshops and other professional development activities
A description of activities offered is shown on myLearning. These activities are offered as workshops, hot topics and conversation starters. Activities are offered face to face, online, blended approach or at the workplace. Workshop outlines, duration and resources are also available.
Each Semester a schedule of activities is posted on the professional development calendar.
Hot Topic Conversations is a regular 1 hour conversation covering a range of topics and provides an opportunity for staff to engage online (using Adobe connect).
Sunrise@SI provides the early risers with an opportunity to engage in a series of short skill development sessions (online).
Time4Learning offers a suite of professional development activities outside normal teaching weeks.
Provide consultancy mentoring and/or facilitation services to teaching sections and support units
This may involve working with a teaching section to assist staff in developing the processes and the capability to provide innovative practices in teaching and learning in the workplace, the classroom, or flexibly. This may involve needs analysis, recognition of prior learning, elearning and include a range of teaching and learning strategies.
The Workforce Development Unit will work with support units to identify the skills and capabilities required of the staff; eg a skills analysis and developing a learning plan.
Develop the Institute-wide Workforce Capability Plan
Contemporary approaches to Workforce Development incorporate planning, management, capability development and organisational culture. A Sydney Institute Workforce Development Plan, which links to the strategic directions, highlights the extent of workforce development and the importance of an integrated approach.
Manage and coordinate national, state and TAFE-wide initiates that support the capability of our workforce
Where external funding is available for projects which support our staff in developing their capability, the Workforce Development Unit offers assistance to develop submissions, and gain executive approval. Examples of these projects include:
NSW E-Learning Innovations projects|NSW E-Learning Innovations projects
COAG Recognition of Prior Learning projects
Coordinate new permanent teacher education program
New permanent full-time teachers undertake a teacher orientation program. This program provides the teachers with an overview of the services and support offered at the Institute to increase their capability as teachers. New full-time teachers have the opportunity to undertake further approved teacher education studies either at TAFE NSW - Sydney Institute or at a University. The Workforce Development Unit works with new teachers to ensure teaching standards are observed. An Individual Learning Plan is a feature of the new teacher program. This Plan assists staff in planning for their development.
Develop and implement the Workforce Development Guarantee
The Workforce Development Guarantee is a commitment to invest additional resources in staff capabilities linked to competencies from national qualifications.
The five capability areas of the Workforce Development Guarantee are:
- Delivering workforce development services to enterprises
- Using technologies to do business
- Meeting the needs of diverse learners
- Interpreting and customizing training packages
- Leadership
The Sydney Institute Workforce Development Guarantee initiative outlines the target areas for development:
- Workforce Services
- Recognition Services
- Upskilling staff
- Top Up classes
- Professional Development workshops
Coordinate leadership programs
The framework for the Sydney Institute Leadership program focuses on: Vision, Integrity and Effectiveness.
Programs focus on different target groups including executive leaders, head teachers and people in leadership roles. A reference group identifies key topic areas.
A leadership skills analysis is available for self-assessment.
Coordinate special learning initiatives
Study Assistance Scheme is an initiative that enablers staff to undertake further studies either at TAFE or university. Each Semester the Study Assistance Scheme is advertised and applications undergo a selection process. Successful applicants gain a grant to assist in the payment of course/unit fees (conditions apply).
Return to Industry provides staff with the opportunity to return to their industry area to update their skills and knowledge (conditions apply).
Learning Technology Mentors (LTM)'is an initiative that supports elearning mentors at each College. The program provides support to the mentors in developing skills in the use and application of technologies. The college LTMs provide timely and responsive service to staff at their College.
Support in using technologies to do business
Identifying appropriate technologies to achieve business results requires an analysis orf the technologies available, the need and the audience. Support is provided in determining the suitable technology for purpose, setting up the systems, training and ongoing maintenance and backup.
Promote innovative teaching and learning practices
Case studies, processes and practices relating to innovative approaches to teaching and learning are regularly featured on myLearning.
Provide resources for teaching and learning
An annotated list of resources for teaching and learning is regularly updated to support staff in keeping abreast of new practices. These resources relate to theories, principles, practices, technologies and tools.
Representation on statewide groups
Professional Development Network (Gerard Kell)
Flexible Learning Network (Paula Williams)
Capability Development Reference Group (Robby Weatherley)
TAFE NSW Teacher Education Coordinators Network (Gaby Gubbay)
Applying for a professional development activity
To apply for a professional development activity (link to Process Map and Application).
- View details of available activity - Professional Development Calendar on SydNet.
- Complete application form - Application to attend professional development activity
- Send application to Workforce Development - fax 9217 4616 or email si.workforcedevelopment[@]tafensw.edu.au
