|
LLENS are concerned over negative implications of the withdrawal of VCAL coordination funding.
The Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network is concerned that the axing of funds for VCAL program coordination will hinder the education options of local students.
Skills Minister Peter Hall has flagged that $12 million set aside for schools to co-ordinate the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning [VCAL] program would be axed as the purpose of the cash roll-out was redundant.
CEO of the Central Ranges LLEN Boyd Maplestone said this was based on the notion that the program was now established, had gained some stability and did not require coordination funding.
However, Mr Maplestone said the program required more funding, not less, and that the withdrawal of the planned $12 million would have negative implications for students in the Central Ranges region.
Although VCAL is now an established part of the provision of senior secondary education in Victoria, with 70 per cent of government schools delivering VCAL programs, it is still very labour intensive and if anything, requires additional funding, not less. Mr Maplestone said.
VCAL is a great option for students who are interested in trades and is an alternative pathway to the more academic VCE in senior school. Over the past eight years it has grown in popularity and in credibility,≈ he said.
In 2006 there were about 8,600 students enrolled in VCAL courses offered by 280 government providers, in 2010 12,386 were enrolled with 281 government providers. In total, including the non government sector, 2006 enrolments were 12,386 with 401 providers, and in 2010, 18,748 with 429 providers.
Mr Maplestone said this increase was reflected in the Central Ranges region where the VCAL program had prepared hundreds of students for the workforce. There has been a 105% increase in VCAL enrolments across the Central Ranges since 2003. This decision will also impact on satellite VCAL programs such Kyneton Community Based VCAL which has successfully supported 106 of the most vulnerable young people in the community in completing VCAL courses.
Our VCAL teachers say that each year is different, and that coordination capacity is critical to success of our students and the continuity of the program, he said.
It is already a program that challenges schools to be creative, flexible and link strongly with the needs of employers. The program increases options for our young people, provides a more hands-on learning that addresses the needs of business and industry with a workplace learning component. In this age of skill shortages and an ageing population, why would we withdraw support for this?
Victoria currently has the highest Year 12 attainment by age 20-24 years of any state in Australia and is the only state to offer the Certificate of Applied Learning (see ABS Education & Work).
Posted by Boyd Maplestone on 25 August 2011; 11:38:27 AM
from the School Education, The CEO, The Macedon Shire Committee, The Mitchell Shire Committee, The Murrindindi Shire Committee, Vocational Education and Training dept.
|
Annual General Meeting 2011
Are you interested in becoming involved in a network that identifies opportunities for you to work with other agencies to support disengaged young people within Macedon Ranges?
The Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network Incorporated, [CRLLEN Inc.] conducted its [8th] Annual General Meeting on Tuesday the 11th May at Trackside, Kilmore. 
The Interim Report of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission is available in three on-line versions, in addition to the Executive Summary.
The Kyneton Education Plan, involving the proposed merger of Kyneton Primary School, Kyneton Secondary College and Lady Brooks Kindergarten in a K-12 school (that also includes early childhood and allied health services) took another step closer to fruition last night with the delivery of a detailed report into the feasibility of the proposed sites and buildings.
The Board of the Central Ranges LLEN is pleased to see the start of the 2009 Macedon Ranges Community Based Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning [MRCBVCAL].
The third meeting of the Kyneton Education Plan Steering Committee took place at the Kyneton Primary School between 7:30pm and 10:00pm
on Tuesday 13th of November. In attendance were representatives from school councils, local government, community agencies, Australian Education Union, and other education and training providers as well as the LLEN. 
Ms. Marcia McGrath, coordinator of the Macedon Ranges Community Based VCAL was presented with a scholarship of up to two thousand dollars to contribute towards her further studies in to adolescent health and well-being, at the Kyneton board meeting of the Central Ranges LLEN on Thursday 25th of October.
Google Map for Environment Expo 
Richard Donker, CRLLEN Board member and Macedon Shire committee member, informed the Board of the high honour received by the 
Attending the community reception at the Gisborne Golf Club on behalf of the Central Ranges Board and its members, was immediate past-chairperson Mr. Gerard Hard, [The Apprenticeship Factory] Board Member and Macedon Shire resident, Mr. Andrew Hocking [IBM Australia] and LLEN CEO, Bill Coppinger. 
The Honourable Fran Bailey, Minister for Small Business and Tourism and Member for McEwen was guest speaker at the ‘Adopt-A-School’ Industry Forum held at Braemar College on Thursday 5 May. The evening was hosted by Braemar College and the Central Ranges Local Learning and Employment Network (CRLLEN) with the support of the Federally Funded Local Community Partnership [LCP].
Sr. Mary Moloney, Principal of 
Students from the Macedon Ranges Community Based VCAL hosted community members, instructors, business partners and other supporters of their successful VCAL programme for a celebratory luncheon today at the Kyneton RSL. The programme was originally launched at Maloa House, 
