24/08/2010

Registered training organisations (RTOs) in New South Wales can apply for a share of $714,200 in funding and support to develop innovative e-learning solutions for businesses and individuals in line with key NSW training priorities.

E-learning Innovations funding and support, provided by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), will be awarded to RTOs based on their ability to:

• support business-training provider partnerships that can drive the integration of e-learning into business and training
• develop innovative e-learning practices that target the needs of a more diverse range of learners.

NSW’s funding is part of the $2.65 million allocated for 2011 E-learning Innovations projects nationwide, provided to each state and territory on a pro-rata basis. This follows yesterday’s announcement that the Framework has received the go ahead for its activities until the end of June 2011*, opening up new opportunities for Australian RTOs, business and industry to embed e-learning as a key aspect of their business strategy and tailor training to meet learners’ needs.

Projects will need to align with key NSW training priorities including:

Empowering learners

• address barriers impeding equity groups, disengaged learners or mature age learners from completing and moving to higher level qualifications
• support young people to complete VET qualifications
• improve access and equity for a targeted group of learners
• address existing and emerging skill shortages.

Business-training provider partnerships

• provide industry with greater flexibility to support apprentices and/or trainees
• assist existing workers to up skill and gain formal qualifications within an industry area or NSW Workplace
• are client focused and assist businesses to extend their workforce capability by mapping work processes to a VET qualification
• improve language, literacy and numeracy in NSW workplaces
• support emerging NSW industries, niche markets and/or green skills
• address existing and emerging skill shortages within an industry area or NSW Workplace.

Applicants are encouraged to build on existing Framework e-learning infrastructure when developing e-learning solutions, such as Flexible Learning Toolbox (Toolbox) learning objects, e-standards, resources, guidelines and professional networks.

Since 2008, the Framework has helped 108 NSW projects embed innovative e-learning solutions. One case example is detailed below:

Bunnings, making sustainable e-choices

National hardware retailer Bunnings has established a strong partnership with TAFE NSW Northern Sydney Institute and in 2010, secured innovations funding to extend the existing program, Sustainability Solutions. The program now includes e-learning delivery strategies that integrate seamlessly with the training systems already in place within Bunnings.

The experiential, active nature of online training was found to be well suited to the task of re-skilling Bunnings' employees. The flexibility of Bunnings’ online program is allowing hands-on workers and workers with little experience in classroom learning, to re-skill at their own pace and at a time and place which suits them.

Refer to the E-learning Innovations Team Profiles to access information on all past projects.

Applications open on Tuesday 24 August 2010.

Read the 2011 NSW E-learning Innovations Guidelines for Applicants for more information on how to apply for funding in NSW.

Download an application form

Applications close at 5pm on Tuesday 28 September 2010 and the successful applicants will be notified from Friday 22 October 2010.

Information sessions will be held in September to assist you in applying for funding. This information will be made available soon at http://flexiblelearning.net.au/nsw. Please email gail.smith [at] det.nsw.edu.au (replace at with @ to use the email address) to register your interest in participating.

A national online information session will also be held:

Date: Thursday 9 September 2010
Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm AEST
Location: http://tinyurl.com/egems-2011innovations OR https://sas.elluminate.com/m.jnlp?sid=675&password=M.8831B0E4AD9F2C0338DBE968E80CB0

Registration is not required. Participants must have access to internet, headphones and a microphone and have installed and configured the Elluminate web conferencing software beforehand.

For more information contact the Framework’s NSW Innovations Coordinator, Gail Smith, by phone: (02) 9244 5290 or email gail.smith [at] det.nsw.edu.au (replace at with @ to use the email address).

*The six month allocation, to end of June 2011, will bring the Framework funding cycle in line with other funding arrangements under the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), which are based on a financial calendar year. 

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