2011 Community and Industry Report

2011 COMMUNITY & INDUSTRY REPORT

INSTITUTE DIRECTOR’S MESSagE

It is with great pleasure that I present

the 2011 Community and Industry

Report for TAFE NSW – South

Western Sydney Institute (SWSi).

2011 was a busy and rewarding year for SWSi,

and our successes included:

�� Expanding our partnerships,

�� Signing up to offer Higher Education at

Liverpool,

�� Launching a new brand and website and,

�� Developing SWSi strategy 2015.

All activities that we undertook in 2011 were

focused on the future and on achieving the

best possible outcomes for our students,

industry partners and the community, and on

remaining sustainable into the future.

This report provides an overview of some of

our achievements during 2011, and highlights

the outstanding outcomes achieved by staff

and students across the Institute, under our

two key themes of ‘Innovate’ and ‘Educate’.

I would like to thank all SWSi staff and

students for their contributions to such a

successful and productive year.

South Western Sydney is one of Australia’s fastest growing and most culturally diverse regions, and has demonstrated both steady population growth and business innovation. SWSi has built a reputation for responding effectively to the needs of industry through innovative partnerships and quality education and training. This enables SWSi, its students and the wider community to capitalise on the opportunities available in this dynamic region.

SWSi has nine colleges and eight faculties, and approximately 73,000 student enrolments each year. SWSi provides a comprehensive range of education and training services - from educational access courses to degree pathway and industry specific programs. SWSi remains an integral part of the region by keeping courses relevant and up-to-date through strong collaborative links with community and industry partners.

SWSi training reaches beyond regional boundaries to engage individuals, communities and businesses across NSW, Australia and the world. SWSi ensures that the needs of this diverse client base are met through a flexible range of delivery options. This includes the use of emerging technologies to deliver effective education and training in innovative learning environments that facilitate student engagement, such as purpose-built facilities, simulated or real workplaces and community settings.

SWSi: a kEY PlaYER IN ThE SOUTh WESTERN SYDNEY REgION

TaFE NSW - SOUTh WESTERN SYDNEY INSTITUTE SWSi.EDU.aU 1

2 SWSi.EDU.aU TaFE NSW - SOUTh WESTERN SYDNEY INSTITUTE

The SWSi Strategy 2015 was developed through consultation with industry, community and staff, and outlines the Institute’s response to a reformed, expanded and customer-driven vocational education and training marketplace.

SWSi has a critical role in supporting Australia’s economic and social prosperity, which is underpinned by:

�� growing the skills of the workforce

�� increasing employment prospects and employee productivity, and

�� supporting the capacity of our communities to be resilient and adaptable to change.

SWSi has many examples of innovative and responsive engagement with the community, employers, those in the workforce and those seeking to enter it. Our continued success rests on becoming increasingly externally focused, and on measuring achievement through the success of all our stakeholders.

The SWSi Strategy 2015 builds on our significant strengths and existing relationships with staff, students, industry and the community. It is being used to ensure that we continue to deliver programs and services that will maintain our role as a leading tertiary education provider in a changing market.

PURPOSE

To be recognised as an innovative and responsive provider of education, training services and solutions that enable people and organisations to optimise their capacity for success.

DRIVINg PRINCIPlE

Supporting our customers to develop skills, build community capacity, enhance job growth and increase productivity.

kEY FOCUS aREaS

�� Drive investment to enable innovation.

�� Build networks and partnerships to support economic prosperity.

�� Capitalise on the region’s unique strengths and diversity.

�� Be a leading provider of tertiary education.

�� Support our region’s adaptation to climate change.

TRaNSFORMaTIONal STRaTEgIES

�� Client focused strategies integrate Institute initiatives across the Key Focus Areas to deliver a customer driven approach to services, program delivery and revenue generation.

�� Enabling strategies strengthen Institute capability to deliver on the Key Focus Areas.

SWSi STRaTEgY 2015


2011 PERFORMaNCE: ENROlMENTS aND COMPlETIONS


STUDENT ENROlMENTS

646 Trainees

748 AQF Certificate III and above (Indigenous students)

1,969 Indigenous students

7,826 Apprentices

34,506 AQF Certificate III and above (all students)

38,209 Non English Speaking Background students

72,722 Total student enrolments


COURSE COMPlETIONS

127 AQF Certificate II and above for (Indigenous students aged 16-24)

6,912 AQF Certificate II and above (students aged 16-24)

13,149 AQF Certificate III and above (all students)

31,997 Total course completions

77.2 %

87.8 %

79.1 %

65.7 %

77.3 %

Total unit completions

AQF Certificate III and above (all students)

Indigenous students

Apprentices

Trainees

UNIT COMPlETIONS

INNOVaTE_PaRTNERShIPS

At SWSi, being innovative means:

�� working with our partners to create training that helps grow industry and produces work-ready employees

�� working with the community to secure the long term future of the South Western Sydney region

�� ensuring that we use the latest technology for both teaching and training, and

�� developing facilities that offer students the opportunity to learn in engaging and authentic environments.

Following are examples of how we innovate in our work with external partners, through our staff and as educators.

Our partnerships run through all aspects of what we do. These partnerships allow SWSi to meet the needs of industry and the community, and to offer pathway opportunities for our students via other education providers.

In 2011 SWSi continued to maintain and develop partnerships with employers, community groups and other education providers at a regional, national and international level.


SWSi hElPS kEEP WORkERS IN ThE DISabIlITY SECTOR

The disability sector has a long history of skills shortage and high staff turnover. To help address this, SWSi worked with the Australian Foundation For Disability (AFFORD) on effective training models for new entrant traineeships. To minimise disruption to the workplace, programs are planned in consultation with the employer and given in advance to allow timetabling of staff. Employers can start trainees on the Certificate IV in Disability simultaneously with their work placement and at three or four intervals throughout the year. The model has also been adopted by the Lorna Hodgkin’s Sunshine Home for their 17 existing trainees and five new entrant trainees.

COOkINg aCaDEMY aT DOOlEY’S OFFERS YOUNg SChOOl lEaVERS a RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

SWSi, together with Dooley’s Catholic Club, developed a six-week Cooking Academy pilot program, a pre-apprenticeship style course designed to capture young school leavers who are interested in working in the hospitality industry. Participants learnt commercial cookery skills in a real kitchen environment, completed units of competency that can be credited towards apprenticeship training, and had job placement opportunities at the end of the course.

MaNagEMENT DEgREE PaThWaY PROgRaM

SWSi students can now take a direct pathway into a Bachelor of Applied Management, thanks to a new partnership between SWSi and the University of Ballarat. The pathway gives Advanced Diploma students a guaranteed placement into the third year of the degree following successful completion of their TAFE studies. The first cohort in this program began their studies at SWSi early in 2012.

DESIgNINg IkEa

Thirteen SWSi Diploma of Interior Design and Decoration students completed a two month work placement with international home decorating specialist IKEA. The “Ready, Steady, Decorate!” program also saw students complete an intensive one-week block with the IKEA Interior Design team to transform the IKEA showroom.

DEVElOPINg ChINa’S TEaChERS

SWSi provided training and practicum to a group of Business and English teachers from the TAFE offshore program at Wuxi Institute of Technology. The training gave the teachers an understanding of Australian VET and TAFE courses, improved understanding of TAFE teachers’ roles and responsibilities, built connections with local mentors and improved skills in delivering TAFE programs and complying with AQF standards. The training also helped to reinforce the excellent quality of our offshore program delivery and strengthened our partnership with Wuxi Institute of Technology.


aUTOlINER laUNChES TEChNOlOgY CaMPaIgN aT SWSi

Autoliner Australia, a supplier of collision repair equipment, donated world-class automotive equipment to Campbelltown College to launch its leading edge technology campaign. The donation included a $70,000 Spanesi 106 Bench with One Touch electronic measuring system. Principal of Autoliner, Terry Dickey said “As a long-time resident of Campbelltown, I wanted to give back to my community something that would also help our industry.”

aWaRD-WINNINg agED CaRE PaRTNERShIP

SWSi’s Sport and Recreation section at Macquarie Fields College and Carrington Aged Care Centre won the 2011 Better Practice Award for ‘Resident Lifestyle’ from the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. The award is recognition for the ongoing ‘Resident Health and Fitness Initiative’, through which SWSi teachers and students work closely with the Carrington Lifestyle and Leisure team to tailor one-on-one and group exercise programs for Carrington residents. Students studying the Certificate III,

IV and Diploma in Fitness also complete their work experience placements at Carrington. This successful community partnership benefits residents, students and staff. It has improved the overall health and wellbeing of residents, decreased the number of falls, and promoted meaningful interactions between the old and the young in the Camden community.


INNOVaTE_EDUCaTION

Innovation in education is essential to remaining relevant to students, industry and the community.

SWSi innovates in a number of key areas, including:

�� partnerships

�� facilities

�� technology

�� product development, and

�� staff

MaCaRThUR bUIlDINg INDUSTRY SkIllS CENTRE (MbISC) OPENINg

MBISC is a specialist industry training centre that delivers a range of pre-employment programs for young people and specialist training for high risk licences in the building industry. MBISC was opened by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations, Senator the Honourable Chris Evans. The purchase and refurbishment of MBISC was funded by the Australian Government as part of the Educational Investment Fund.

RENaUlT aUSTRalIa DRIVES TRaININg

Renault Australia presented SWSi Granville College with a brand new Renault Laguna, ‘GEN 111’, as part of the Automotive Training Australia (ATA) donation scheme. The car is being used as a learning tool, providing automotive students with an opportunity to learn more about the very latest in automotive systems.

aUSlaN TRaININg FOR INDIgENOUS PEOPlE

SWSi is leading the way in Aboriginal education with an innovative, one-of-a-kind program specifically for Deaf Aboriginal people. The Signing Art program addresses the need for customised, culturally appropriate training for Aboriginal people. It is the first of its kind in Australia to use mixed delivery of online, distance and residential block classes delivered entirely in Auslan.


SWSi STaFF ExCEllENCE aWaRD RECIPIENTS

Excellence and Innovation in Leadership

Jennifer Harding Manager, Workplace Capability and Development Unit

Excellence and Innovation in Industry and Community Partnerships

Nina Walker Institute Correctional Centre/ Juvenile Justice Liaison Officer, Social Inclusion Unit

Excellence and Innovation in Building Capacity in the Workforce

Peter Beacham Acting Contracts Administration Officer, Regional Finance Unit

Jennifer Cundasamy Institute Customer Service Coordinator, Student Administration Centre

Excellence and Innovation in Customer Service

Eileen Phillpott Clerical Assistant, Child Studies

Excellence and Innovation in Teaching and Learning Practice

Lisa Armstrong Teacher, Business Studies

Excellence and Innovation in Environmental Sustainability

The Wetherill Park College Environmental Committee

Wetherill Park College

Our staff are the heart of SWSi. They represent the face of our organisation and are the key interface between us and our students. We are proud of the many staff achievements of 2011, and present a small sample here.

Business Management teacher helen geale received a 2011 Quality Teaching

award from the NSW Minister for Education and Training and the Australian College of Educators NSW.

Dr Chandrika Subramaniyan, a legal programs teacher, won the

Women lawyers’ association of NSW highly Commended award for her commitment to helping women pursue a career in the legal profession.

Janine loves won VET Teacher of the Year (Southern Sydney Region) in

the annual NSW Department of Education and Communities (DEC) Regional Training Awards.

INNOVaTE_STaFF


ExPaNDINg OUR PaRTNERShIPSOFFERINg hIghER EDUCaTION aT lIVERPOOlNEW bRaND aND WEbSITE laUNChDEVElOPINg SWSi STRaTEgY 2015

aChIEVINg ThE bEST POSSIblE OUTCOMES FOR OUR STUDENTS INDUSTRY PaRTNERS aND ThE COMMUNITY REMaININg SUSTaINablE INTO ThE FUTURE

bankstown College has been providing vocational education and training for over 50 years. It is a major trainer for the banking industry and has simulated office environments to teach business and administrative skills. The college also has hairdressing and beauty salons and a child care centre for practical training.

Courses offered include: accounting, banking and bookkeeping; business administration; business studies (including management, human resources and marketing); communication skills; animal studies; applied sciences; community, health and children’s services; electronics and electrical engineering; events management; general education; hairdressing; HSC studies and tertiary preparation; language and interpreting; literacy, numeracy and study skills; skills for work and training; multicultural education; work, health and safety; English for speakers of other languages.

Campbelltown College is a major training facility in its local area and includes digital media training, an Exhibition Gallery and state-of-the-art vehicle painting and repair facilities. The college also has a popular operational training restaurant that is open to the public.

Courses offered include: animal studies; applied science; art, design and digital media; automotive (mechanical, vehicle repair and refinishing); business administration and management; carpentry; community, health and children’s services; engineering (mechanical trades); hospitality (including commercial cookery); tourism; general education; horticulture and floristry; HSC studies and tertiary preparation; information and communications technology; language and interpreting; literacy, numeracy and study skills; skills for work and training; transport and logistics.

granville College was established in 1884, and in 2011 approximately 15,000 students were enrolled. Granville houses specialists centres in refrigeration and air conditioning, bricklaying and butchery.

Courses offered include: accounting, banking and bookkeeping; business administration (including management, human resources and marketing); applied sciences; architectural technology; automotive; building, construction and carpentry; communication skills; community and health; engineering (mechanical trades, electronics, electrical and engineering services); hairdressing; hospitality (butchery); HSC studies and tertiary preparation; information and communications technology; language and interpreting; legal services; literacy, numeracy and study skills; real estate and property services; refrigeration and air conditioning; skills for work and training; transport and logistics.

abOUT US


SWSi delivers training and education through 11 sites. The Institute also delivers off-shore training in partnership arrangements with local public and private educational institutions and business organisations.

Our nine colleges and two specialist centres are:

lidcombe College is home to the state centres for training in telecommunications, furniture design, plastering, glass and glazing, polymer processing and the furnishing trades. It also hosts the Photonics and New Technologies Training Centre, in partnership with the Biometrics and Photonics Institute. Lidcombe is also a CISCO Regional Academy and the only college in TAFE NSW that is authorised to offer the globally recognised Certified Internet Webmaster suite of qualifications. It has two campuses, one at Lidcombe, the other at Chullora.

Courses offered include: building, construction, cabinetmaking and carpentry; communication skills; engineering (mechanical trades, electronics and electrical); engineering services; English for work and study; general education; information and communications technology; literacy, numeracy and study skills; telecommunications; upholstery.

liverpool College is housed in heritage buildings designed by the convict architect Francis Greenway, and has on-site hairdressing and beauty training salons open to the public. It also includes a state-of-the-art Education and Training Centre (ETC) that delivers courses to domestic and international students as well as providing education, training and consultancy to industry. The ETC also includes the TAFE International Education Centre, which delivers intensive English courses for international students.

Courses offered include: accounting; business administration, marketing and management; applied sciences; communication skills; English for work and study; general education; hairdressing and beauty; HSC studies and tertiary preparation; information and communications technology; language and interpreting; legal services; literacy, numeracy and study skills; skills for work and training.

Macquarie Fields College is home to specialist Sports and Recreation training facilities and a massage training centre that is open to the public. Since 2010 the College has also included the Macarthur building Industry Skills Centre (MbISC), a specialist centre providing trade training to the building industry. MBISC students learn in an integrated program in which several trades work together to complete full size building projects.

Courses offered include: aged care; beauty; building and construction (tiling, painting and decorating); business administration; community services and health; English for work and study; fitness, sport and recreation; information and communications technology; literacy, numeracy and study skills; skills for work and training; soft furnishing; telecommunications; wall and floor tiling; carpentry; signage.


Miller College is the only SWSi college to offer training in Auslan, asset maintenance, library and information services and music industry skills. It is also home to a Centre of Excellence in Stonemasonry, and offers the only TAFE stonemasonry courses in NSW and the ACT.

Courses offered include: Auslan; building construction, plumbing, carpentry and stonemasonry; business administration; children’s services; digital media; engineering (electronics, electrical and mechanical trades); English language and literacy; information and communications technology; legal services; library and information services; manufacturing and welding; retail management; music.

Padstow College is the home of a Centre of Excellence for Horticulture and the Sydney metropolitan Aero Skills Training Centre, one of Australia’s largest trainers of aircraft engineers. The college also has a popular operational training restaurant that is open to the public.

Courses offered include: aeroskills; applied sciences; automotive; business administration; digital media; English for work and study; general education; horticulture and floristry; information and communications technology; literacy, numeracy and study skills; tourism and hospitality; skills for work and training.

Wetherill Park College is the state centre for training in heavy automotive trades, and is NSW’s largest provider of training in the repair and service of heavy vehicles. The college also has a popular operational training restaurant that is open to the public.

Courses offered include: accounting, banking and bookkeeping; aged care; automotive (vehicle repair and refinishing, body building, mechanical and electrical); business administration and management; community services, nursing and health; digital media; information and communications technology; tourism and hospitality; transport and logistics.

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Our students are a reflection of our organisation. In 2011 our students achieved an outstanding array of awards in a broad range of fields locally, nationally and internationally.

INDUSTRY aWaRDS aND SChOlaRShIPS

Melissa borg was awarded the annual De lorenzo hair and Cosmetic Research award for topping the state in her Certificate III in Hairdressing.

Advanced Diploma of Electrical Technology student leanne Nguyen won the abC Women in broadcast Technology Scholarship. The scholarship is aimed at launching the careers of young women engineers in broadcast technology, and provides $1000 and four weeks paid employment in the technical areas of the ABC.

anna Yu, a student on the Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Specialising in Chemical and Forensic Testing), won two science awards in 2011, the International Year of Chemistry. She won the Crown Scientific Pty ltd award for achieving the highest mark in the unit ‘Apply Complex Instrumental Techniques’, and the Ed krajniak Memorial award for her outstanding achievement in the course.

2011 INSTITUTE aChIEVEMENT aWaRDS

Thirty five outstanding students were honoured at the 17th annual Institute Achievement Awards. The Awards acknowledge the outstanding achievements of both students and staff, and showcase the highest standards of teaching and learning and student success stories as well as promoting our relationships with industry partners.

2011 NaTIONal COMPETITION WINNERS

Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design and Communication student Melinda Williams won a Silver Medal and her class mate, kimberly Mifsud, received a Commendation for their entries at the 2011 Southern Cross Packaging awards. Both students, work was entered in the Juice or Dairy Shrink Sleeve Label category. The Awards are a national competition in which students from TAFEs, universities and industry based RTOs compete.

A team of SWSi horticulture students won first prize for their Xeriscape garden display at the inaugural TaFE NSW Sydney Royal Easter Show landscape Challenge. The display was judged by a panel of experts including TV gardening personality Jody Rigby.

EDUCaTE_STUDENTS

Our core business of education and training is carried out to ensure the best possible outcomes for all involved. We:

�� work with our students to ensure they are able to reach their full potential and meet the life and career goals they have set for themselves

�� work with industry and the community to ensure access to education

�� develop our staff to ensure that we are able to offer the best possible education we can.



2011 STUDENT aChIEVEMENT aWaRD RECIPIENTS

Apprentice of the Year and Institute Director’s Medal Brendon Hillsley Certificate III in Meat Processing (Meat Retailing)

Trainee of the Year Jessica Fowler Certificate III in Hospitality

Vocational School Student of the Year Selina Riva Certificate II in Hospitality (Kitchen Operations)

International Student of the Year Aira Ballesteros Advanced Diploma of Accounting

Institute Student Associations’ Student of the Year Aeman Eid Certificate III and IV in Business Administration

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year Jasper Luckhurst Certificate III in Stonemasonry (Monumental/Installation)

Automotive, Aeroskills, Transport and Logistics Award James Ripa Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport)

Building and Construction Award Nathan Cardwell Certificate III in Furniture Making (Cabinet Making)

Business and Finance Award Hawanatu Wanda Koroma Advanced Diploma and Diploma of Financial Services (Banking)

Community, Health and Personal Services Award Father Challita Al Boustany Diploma of Children’s Services

Employment Preparation Award Martha Roy Certificate II in Skills for Work and Training (Teachers’ Bridging)

Engineering, Manufacturing and Environmental Sciences Award Li Yan Yu Diploma of Laboratory Technology (Specialising in Chemical and Forensic Testing)

Information and Communications Technology and Design Award Marlo El-Khouri Diploma of Information Technology (Website Development)

Tourism, Hospitality, Primary Industry and Arts Award Nicole Warren Diploma of Hospitality

Vocational Access Award Lachlan Scott (Posthumous) HSC Studies (TAFE Statement)


2011 STaTE MEDal WINNERS

Ezequiel Cortez Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design and Communication

Maja Jakonic Diploma of Legal Services

Barbara Koller Certificate III in Horticulture (Wholesale Nursery)

Michael Koorey Diploma of Interactive Digital Media

Mark Labas Diploma of Building and Construction (Building)

Peter Laurens Diploma of Disability

Troy Leedham Diploma of Horticulture

Regina Lehnen Advanced Diploma of Management

Alia Nehme Advanced Diploma of Interior Design

David Newton Advanced Diploma of Telecommunications Networks

Leanne Ngyuen Advanced Diploma of Electrical Technology

Megan Potts Diploma of Human Resources Management

James Ripa Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology (Heavy Vehicle Road Transport)

Brad Schmitzer Certificate III in Automotive Electrical Technology

Tram Tran Advanced Diploma of Product Design and Innovation

Rachel Vella Certificate IV in Small Business Management

Li Yan Yu Diploma of Laboratory Technology, specialising in Chemical and Forensic Testing

Third year Certificate III in Landscape Construction students Matthew Clarke and kurt Dessmann won First and Third place respectively in the Regional WorldSkills 2011 Landscape Construction competition.

Lidcombe telecommunications students, Jiri george Vasek, Mitchell hokin and andrew heffernan (standby), beat other Australian competitors, including university teams, to win the national heat of the CISCO NetRiders 2011 championship. The team went on to represent Australia at the Asia Pacific final of this annual competition, in which teams from across the Asia Pacific test their theoretical and practical networking skills. Two other teams from Lidcombe College placed third and fifth nationally.

alex lee, a product design student, was one of only 15 finalists selected to exhibit his latest product design piece in the launch Pad 2011 exhibition. Launch Pad is a program designed to nurture and celebrate innovative design pieces by emerging Australian designers. Alex exhibited his unique chair prototype, ‘Belt Chair’, a chair with black belts on a steel frame. Fellow student Tram Tran was also shortlisted for the exhibition.


NSW REgIONal TRaININg aWaRDS

Central and Northern Sydney Region Apprentice of the Year and Runner-up, NSW apprentice of the Year

Ben Cooper Certificate III in Cabinetmaking (Furniture Making)

Western Sydney Region Apprentice of the Year and NSW apprentice of the Year Brendon Hillsley Certificate III in Meat Processing (Meat Retailing)

Western Sydney Region Vocational Student of the Year Nicole Warren Diploma of Hospitality

South Western Sydney Region Apprentice of the Year Dean Woodward Certificate III in Engineering (Fabrication Trade)

South Western Sydney Region School Based Student of the Year Michael Smith Certificate III in Automotive Mechanical Technology

South Western Sydney Region Vocational Student of the Year Lisa Hammersley Diploma of Hospitality

Southern Sydney Region Peter Brice Memorial Encouragement Award Hanawatu Wanda Koroma Diploma of Financial Services

Southern Sydney Region VET Teacher of the Year Janine Loves

2011 STaTE aWaRDS aND aChIEVEMENTS

State Medal Winners

State Medals represent the highest achievement across TAFE NSW and are presented to 150 students across selected categories every year. SWSi students received 17 State Medals in 2011.

hSC high achievers

Three SWSi students were named on the 2010 HSC Honour Roll for achieving an ATAR of over 90. Student lachlan Scott (Posthumous)

achieved this feat for the second year in a row and was named Top achiever in New South Wales.

NSW TRaININg aWaRDS

The NSW Regional Training Awards and the NSW Training Awards are run annually by the NSW Department of Education and Communities and recognise the outstanding achievements of staff, students and organisations in the vocational education and training sector.

In 2011 SWSi won eight regional awards including three Apprentice of the Year awards:

�� Central and Northern Sydney Region ben Cooper, Western Sydney Region brendon hillsley and South Western Sydney Region Dean Woodward,

�� in addition SWSi student brendon hillsley won the overall NSW Training Award for Apprentice of the Year.


2011 INTERNaTIONal COMPETITION WINNERS

Three SWSi students travelled to London with the Australian ‘Skillaroos’ team to compete in the prestigious WorldSkills 2011 international competition. Cabinetmaking apprentice ben Cooper and Painting and Decorating apprentice gus asciutto were each awarded a Medallion of Excellence for achieving an overall score of more than 80%, and Campbelltown College student kye Szeniak won a Silver Medal in the Car Painting category, making him the second best car painter in the world.

SWSi graduate and local arborist Mark hartley received the prestigious International Society of arboriculture (ISa) award of Merit. The award is the society’s highest honour, and is given in recognition of outstanding service in advancing the principles, ideas and practices of arboriculture.

Our partnerships with industry not only ensure that SWSi training and education programs are relevant and appropriate to the needs of students, but also enable our industry partners to deliver specialised on and off-site training programs tailored to the needs of their existing workforces.

SWSi RESPONDS TO TElCOS Call

In a joint venture with Telstra Operations, SWSi developed and delivered a Technical Career and Qualification program. This program enabled Telstra employees to gain a Diploma and/or Advanced Diploma of Telecommunications Network Engineering, developed to meet Telstra’s work practices and processes. The qualification was mapped to Telstra’s day-to-day work activities and job roles in order to recognise and refresh the existing skills and experience of Telstra’s technical workforce, while also providing employees with a valuable nationally recognised qualification. This partnership strengthens our position in industry as a provider of high level skills development for telecommunications

employees.

ENERgISINg QUalIFICaTIONS WITh aUSgRID aND ENDEaVOUR ENERgY

SWSi partnered with Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy to offer a unique commercial qualification in Electricity Supply Industry (ESI) Power Systems to their staff. The program used the Enterprise Based Productivity Places Program (EBPPP) funding to develop an Advanced Diploma in ESI Power Systems, which was offered to existing and new staff. The program is delivered through remote learning, block release and face-to-face training to fit with workplace commitments.

TakINg QaNTaS STaFF TO NEW hEIghTS

SWSi partnered with Qantas to train existing staff to address gaps in the workforce resulting from internal changes and skills shortages. Existing staff completed a Certificate IV in AeroSkills (Aircraft Maintenance Engineering) as part of Qantas’ upskilling program, which was completed through a combination of skills recognition and customised gap training.

EDUCaTE_INDUSTRY

As a part of our local community, we work with those around us to ‘give back’ to the community through initiatives that not only promote the value of education and training, but also encourage better life choices.

PROMOTINg hEalThY lIFESTYlE ChOICES

Diploma of Events students from Campbelltown College organised the ‘Keep it R.E.A.L’ (which stands for Relax, Eat and Lifestyle) event, aimed at raising community awareness about healthy choices and healthy living. Event visitors were treated to canapés on arrival, a healthy two course sit-down meal, live fitness and food demonstrations and information stands on how to implement healthy living choices. Guest speakers included Eat It Work It Move It™ Program Manager, former Australian softball player, Mark Long, and ex-Olympic swimmer Sarah Ryan, who shared their experiences and knowledge of making healthier choices.

RSPCa DOgS gO baRkINg MaD FOR SWSI kENNEl

SWSi donated a prize-winning kennel to the RSPCA Yagoona Shelter to help raise much needed funds. The ‘Beach House’ kennel was constructed by Lidcombe cabinetmaking student Tim Massey and finished by painting and decorating students from Granville College. The kennel won the Bunnings Award in the TAFE Doghouse Challenge, a competition that gives students skill building and mentoring opportunities.

RESPONDINg TO ThE EDUCaTION aND TRaININg NEEDS OF abORIgINal PEOPlE

SWSi signed a Regional Partnership Agreement with the Mil-Pra Aboriginal Education Consultation Group (AECG) and South Western Sydney Region (SWSR) that will ensure schools and TAFE colleges are responding to the education and training needs of Aboriginal people in the region. The agreement recognises our formal commitment to strengthen our consultative and collaborative relationship with local schools and Aboriginal communities and to meet the educational needs of Aboriginal

learners.

SWSi OPENS ThE DOOR TO ThE FUTURE

SWSi responded to requests from the Warwick Farm community for training at a local level by developing an innovative community course, Doorways to the Future. The course was open to any Warwick Farm residents and provided social, academic and employment preparation skills. Partners in the course included Warwick Farm Neighbourhood Centre, the Salvation Army and the Department of Health.

lOCal STUDENTS gET ThE DRIVE TO lEaRN

In 2011, the first group of participants celebrated their graduation from the U-Turns for Youth Program. The six-week program was a collaboration between SWSi, Bankstown and Canterbury city councils, government agencies, local police and community groups, and was designed to reduce motor vehicle crime in the Bankstown/Canterbury area. The program received $100,000 funding under the Proceeds of Crime Act, and the pilot program achieved positive results by changing participants’ attitudes to further education.


EDUCaTE_COMMUNITY


SWSi hElPS VOlUNTEERS TO gaIN a QUalIFICaTION

SWSi developed a new partnership with Australian parenting organisation Karitane to recognise the work of volunteers in the ‘Talking Realities – Young Parenting Program’. The volunteers are young mothers who visit schools in their communities as peer educators to share their stories with teenagers. The volunteers, work has been mapped to National Units of Competency from the Certificate III in Community Services, allowing them to gain a Statement of Attainment in Community Services. The program is funded by the Federal Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), and is run by Karitane Trainers and Assessors. SWSi provides quality assurance for the program.

lOCal ENTERPRaISE ClIENTS gRaDUaTE FROM PaDSTOW COllEgE

SWSi trained 13 students for EnterPRAise, a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Australia community business that provides structured and supervised employment under the Commonwealth Disability Employment Assistance Program. The 13 students graduated successfully with a Certificate II in Horticulture, and are now equipped with the skills to work in parks and gardens and continue their studies with the Certificate III in Horticulture.

SWSi IPROWD STUDENTS gRaDUaTE aND aIM TO JOIN NSW POlICE

2011 saw the twelfth group of Aboriginal students graduate from the 18-week Indigenous Police Recruitment Our Way Delivery (IPROWD) course. The program enables students to meet the entry requirements of the Associate Degree in Policing Practice offered by Charles Sturt University at the NSW Police College. The six Aboriginal men and women in the SWSi class of 2011 were supported by assistance and mentoring from Police Officers from the Campbelltown Local Area Police Command, who worked collaboratively with SWSi teachers. The state-wide program, which provided opportunities for 180 students in 2011, is a joint project of TAFE NSW, the NSW Police Force, Charles Sturt University and the Australian Government, and has proven to be a successful pathway giving Aboriginal people the confidence, skills and knowledge to join the NSW Police or become employed in a variety of other roles.

DECEMbER 2012 MC12/193

2011 COMMUNITY & INDUSTRY REPORT

Documents

2011 Community and Industry Report