January–June 2011 funding opportunities

The Australian Government and state and territory ministers have approved funding to implement the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework) for January–June 2011.

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

Business activities are set out in the January–June 2011 Framework Business Plan, which has been developed in the broader context of the 2008–2011 Framework Strategy.

The following table outlines proposed Framework funding opportunities for registered training organisations (RTOs), business and industry to participate in activities funded through January–June 2011 funding. Note: while activities are funded through January–June 2011 Framework funding, some of these opportunities will commence in the second half of 2010.

More detail about specific business activity funding can be found by following the links within the table.

Funding for successful applications will be announced according to timelines for individual business activities (see below), with outcomes to be reported from April–June 2011.

E-standards for Training business activity

E-standards for Training researches, recommends and supports the implementation of technical standards to support e-learning in the VET sector.

The E-standards Emerging Technology Trials are an important way of identifying and exploring new technologies requiring future standards support.

Further details about the trials, including the amount of funding, number of trials to be funded, and the application process, will be available here in the coming months.

• Promoted:  Date to be advised
• Applications close:  Date to be advised
• Successful applicants notified:  Date to be advised
• Information and guidelines:  http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-standards
• Contact:  e-standards [at] flexiblelearning.net.au (replace [at] with @)

E-portfolios business activity

E-portfolios aims to establish a national standards-based approach to the use of e-portfolios for managing learner information, between VET, other educational sectors and employment.

The E-portfolio’s Implementation Trials will investigate and identify the factors that contribute to the successful implementation of an e-portfolio system which supports learner transitions ie

• into VET through RPL (recognition of prior learning) or meeting minimum entry requirements (MER)
• through VET by supporting workplace training and assessment or fast tracking of qualifications
• out of VET into further education, employment, promotion or self employment.

Further details about the trials, including the amount of funding, number of trials to be funded, and the application process, will be available here in the coming months.

• Advertised:  Date to be advised
• Applications close:  Date to be advised
• Successful applicants notified:  Date to be advised
• Information and guidelines:  http://www.flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfolios
• Contact:  Allison.Miller [at] flexiblelearning.net.au (replace [at] with @)

Flexible Learning Toolboxes

Flexible Learning Toolboxes (Toolboxes) is working to expand the national collection of learning and assessment resources (Toolboxes), which directly support the implementation of industry training packages and meet state and territory e-learning priorities.

For the six month period from January to June 2011, Toolboxes will give priority to the development of high quality small self contained components of learning material (learning objects) focusing on the areas of language literacy and numeracy skills, skills for sustainable growth and the possibility of updating existing Toolboxes affected by training package changes/amendments.

Further details about the trials, including the amount of funding, number of trials to be funded, and the application process, will be available here in the coming months.

• Advertised:  Late 2010 - date to be advised
• Applications close:  Date to be advised
• Successful applicants notified:  Date to be advised
• Information and guidelines:  These will be available from the Toolboxes website in late 2010 (date to be advised): http://flexiblelearning.net.au/toolboxes

Industry Integration of E-learning

This business activity encourages selected industry sectors to develop plans for the inclusion of e-learning in overall industry-led workforce development.

This will be achieved by direct funding of industry sectors through industry (professional associations or lead employers in partnership with other employers). In all cases, there must be partnerships with RTOs and the project proposal will be based on a sound business case where there is an imperative to find an innovative solution.

A consultative approach directly engaging industry will be used so that new industry needs for e-learning can emerge. RTOs will have an important role to play in providing guidance on good e-learning design and ensuring that training meets national standards and uses e-learning infrastructure. Resources developed must comply with national standards and wherever possible be made available through LORN.

• More information:  Download the 2010-2011 Industry Guidelines from the E-learning for Industry website from Wednesday 1 September 2010
• Applications close:  Tuesday 19 October 2010 - 10.00am AEDT
• Successful applicants notified and must begin:  By end October 2010
• Information and guidelines:  http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au
• Contact:  Kerry Manikis, Phone: (02) 6207 3267, Email: kerry.manikis [at] cit.edu.au (replace [at] with @)

E-learning Innovations

E-learning Innovations works to integrate and embed e-learning into the national training system by supporting and enabling innovation in training design and delivery.

2011 E-learning Innovations funding opportunities will become available from August 2010 , reflecting the shift to a financial year Framework funding cycle.

This funding will be provided to RTOs to undertake activities that:

• invest strategically in business–training provider partnerships that address a genuine business case for e-learning, or
• support RTOs to tailor their services to a more diverse range of learner needs through the implementation of innovative e-learning practices.

Learners will benefit through an increase in pathways to employment and further education opportunities, including more control over the time, place and mode of learning.

Employers will benefit from innovations that are shaped to specific business needs which address skills shortages, apprentice retention, emerging markets and priority industry areas as identified in jurisdictional training plans.

The sector will benefit through investments in the local VET market that embed sustainable e-learning practices in workplaces and businesses, and stimulate demand for quality e-learning from individuals.

A total of $2.65 million is available in E-learning Innovations funding. The funds are offered as pro-rata allocations to states and territories as follows:

• Australian Capital Territory $129,600
• New South Wales $714,200
• Northern Territory $118,500
• Queensland $462,600
• South Australia $240,600
• Tasmania $144,400
• Victoria $556,950
• Western Australia $283,150
  

Application process

Funding timelines, information, guidelines and application processes will vary in every state and territory.

To find out more about the funding opportunity in your state or territory, click on the relevant link below:

ACT // NT // NSW // QLD // SA // TAS // VIC // WA //

For information on all E-learning Innovations activity nationally since 2008 visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/innovations

Bookmark this item