Www.swtafe.vic.edu.au THE EDUCATION PATHWAYS TEAM © Copyright, South West Institute of TAFE 2011

www.swtafe.vic.edu.au

THE EDUCATION PATHWAYS TEAM

© Copyright, South West Institute of TAFE 2011


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South West TAFE



A changing environment

Two significant drivers:•Victorian Training Guarantee

•Changes to the way TAFE’s are funded

What does this mean

•Increased importance on the student’s experience

•Increased fees for some students

•Complexity of the information that a potential student needs to make a decisions about enrolling

•Enrolment process requires increased information to be gathered to enable fee calculation to occur.



The Victorian Training Guarantee

From January 2011, training places within the Vocational Education and Training environment changed to have eligibility criteria applied. Eligibility applies to ALL applicants at ALL AQF levels including Foundation.

• Applicants must FIRST meet citizen / residency requirements

THEN:

• Applicants over 15 and under 20 years are eligible for a Government subsidised place at all AQF levels (linear education does not apply).

or

• Applicants seeking enrolment in a Foundation course are eligible

or

• Apprentices (not trainees) are exempt from linear education requirements

or

• Any applicant seeking a higher qualification than the highest qualification already held (linear education)



Eligibility Flowchart



Value Stream Mapping

Student Life Cycle



2011 Structure – Centre for Student Support



Why change?

BEFORE

• Course advice vs career advice

• Primary focus was links to secondary schools and “walk ins”

• No eligibility requirements

• Different funding environment

• Low monitoring of why students were disengaging

• Had a “finance” approach to debt management



Why change?

NOW

• Need to have clear and concise information

• VET FEE HELP requirements

• Changing demographic of our student cohort – increase in youth

• Improving the student experience – in a very changed world

• Keeping students in their course of study is essential (for both)

• Overall student debt is managed by the Centre for Student Support

• Case management – holistic approach to student support



How has the Institute responded

• Information sessions – are key in the provision of information to our clients. They have replaced the typical “Open Day” held by other TAFE providers and Universities.

• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – the ability to be able to gain credit for skills and knowledge acquired on the job. Have absorbed the SkillsStore concept into our every day practices.

Focussed support for students once they are enrolled

• Student Engagement Team – study skills support, Student Advisor, Koorie Liaison Officer, Youth Worker

• Disability Services Team – supports available for students with a disability (long and short term)

• Education Pathways Team



Education Pathways Team

The Education Pathways team has been established to provide advice to clients on career opportunities, education pathways and fee payment options including determining eligibility for government funded places.

The positions are •a point of contact for detailed course information and entry requirements•assist clients to identify appropriate study pathways•act as a key resource in the Institute’s intervention strategy for retaining students at risk of withdrawing from their chosen course of study.•key links in working with students who have difficulties in making fee payments.



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GETTING TO SEE AN EDUCATION PATHWAYS OFFICER

Referred By Issue

Customer Service team Education Pathways AdvisorStudent Engagement Team

• Any Standard Payment Plan or Centrepay above a nominated limit

• Any requests for an Individual Payment Plan• Anyone requesting change of Payment plan• Anyone not eligible for a government funded place –

including those who upon completing an enrolment form are able to apply for a Linear Eligibility exemption.

• A general course enquiry where the client has no set idea on course.

• A VET FEE HELP query or if a student’s understanding is not clear

• Student Withdrawing from a Course (not unit) – reasons need to be explored and documented. Possible alternatives identified.

• Existing student wanting to explore the “next step”

Teacher or a teaching Team Leader

• Anyone not eligible for a government funded place – including those who upon completing an enrolment form are able to apply for a Linear Eligibility exemption.

• Advises at risk of WNA/ fail / not completing• Teacher advises not on roll ie: not enrolled.• Existing student wanting to explore the “next step”




DATA COLLECTION

Data reports are being collated on a monthly basis reporting on the immediate previous month’s activity.

Data being collected includes:•Type of enquiry, issue and/or advice given•Payment status and method of payment and/or funding options being used•Change in student debt levels•Time spent with individual clients•Conversion Rate : enquiry to enrolment•Retention rate: potential withdrawals who re-engage•Referrals from job network and other support agencies•How many people we are managing – case management load•Referral to internal support services•Data breakdown by campus, course, AQF level, age.•Outcome and reason•Numbers by week/month when impacted the most.•Eligibility issues



So far....

• The approach does work

• Seen drop in amount of debt being held by the Institute

• Been able to re-engage students

• Been able to keep students

Challenges:

• Internal culture – understanding of process

• The structure of the Centre is not quite right

• The team requires administrative support



Contact Details

Janene O’ConnorManagerCentre for Student SupportSouth West Institute of TAFETimor StreetWarrnambool 3280

Phone: (03) 5564 8743Mobile : 0417 051 492Email: [email protected]

Website:www.swtafe.vic.edu.au


mailto:[email protected]

http://www.swtafe.vic.edu.au/

Documents

Www.swtafe.vic.edu.au THE EDUCATION PATHWAYS TEAM © Copyright, South West Institute of TAFE 2011