18/01/2010

Australian registered training organisations (RTOs), business and industry can apply for more than $7 million in funding and support to help embed e-learning as a key aspect of their business strategy and tailor their training to meet learners’ needs.

The national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), is providing vocational education and training (VET) organisations with the opportunity to:

• Implement innovative e-learning solutions for business and learners through E-learning Innovations funding and support available in each state and territory ($5.3m nationally). Applications close 2 March. For more information and application guidelines, visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations

• Produce further Flexible Learning Toolboxes (Toolboxes) ($1.1m). Applications open 19 January and close 16 February. For more information and application guidelines, visit: http://toolboxes.flexiblelearning.net.au/tenders/index.htm

• Conduct trials into emerging technologies and tools that may impact on the VET sector, with support from E-standards for Training funding. A maximum of $100,000 is available for up to six trials in 2010. Applications open 1 March and close 31 March. Once the funding has opened, information will be loaded to: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-standards

• Conduct implementation trials for e-portfolios to investigate and identify the factors that contribute to the successful implementation of an e-portfolio system which supports learner transitions. A maximum of $25,000 in E-portfolios funding is available for three trials. Applications open in March and close 21 April. Once the funding has opened, information will be loaded to: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfolios

• Embed e-learning in industry-led workforce development, with support from Industry Integration of E-learning funding ($75,000* available for one new industry sector). Applications close 15 February. For more information and application guidelines, visit: http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au

In 2009, Framework funding and support created opportunities for RTOs, business and industry to develop flexible and technology-rich training solutions, equipping them to respond to the challenges of a modern economy and the training needs of Australian businesses and workers.

See the following case studies for examples of this innovative work:

E-learning Innovations

• Central Institute of Technology – social networking for PR students
• The Federal Group – e-Orientation eases training burden
• Wide Bay Institute of TAFE – E-coaching in the Workplace

Searchable profiles of all E-learning Innovations projects can be accessed at http://flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations/teamprofiles

Industry Integration of E-learning

• Dairy and stainless steel industries – flexible and cost-effective training
• Housing and child and family welfare industry sectors – e-learning to solve recruitment and retention issues

Flexible Learning Toolboxes

• Series 12 Toolboxes – available early 2010
• Series 11 Toolboxes – launched in February 2009

E-standards for Training

• Canberra Institute of Technology – virtual worlds trial
• Wodonga TAFE – new RFID software program for PDAs

E-portfolios

• Coonara Community House, Fire Protection Association Australia and TAFE NSW (Sydney Institute) – e-portfolios trials to support RPL in VET

For more information about the Framework, its products, resources and support networks, contact: (07) 3307 4700, email: enquiries [at] flexiblelearning.net.au (Please replace at with @ to use the email address) or visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au

* In addition, $575,000 is also committed for nine ongoing industry sectors funded from 2008 and 2009.

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