Guest posting to voced-coord email list. Item 13 of 15:

Date: Fri, 20 Feb 1998 15:45:55 +1100
To: voced-coord@owl.qut.edu.au
From: Brigid Freeman
Subject: VocEd: Brigid Freeman (guest) - Common questions about the Matrix:

Dear all,

I've listed some of the common questions and answers about using the Quality Achievement Matrix ...

Question?
What if there are some Criteria which our initiatives do not yet meet?

For example, you may have given a score of 0 or 1 for the initiatives conducted to date when you looked at criteria 5.3 - 'Students are matched to workplacements'.

Does this mean I should stop, and not keep going up the Focus Areas?

No - while the Quality Achievement Matrix is hierarchical to some extent, the criteria are interconnected. It is very likely that program strengths are not evenly distributed across the criteria. It could easily be the case that your program scores low in, say "Foundation Criteria", but has some high scores in the "Building Criteria".

Wherever a continuous improvement process is established, it follows that initiatives will be evaluated; future challenges will be identified; and quality development processes will be established.

Question?
How was the Quality Achievement Matrix developed?

The Australian Quality Council (AQC) developed the Quality Achievement Matrix for the ASTF through consultation with more than 10% of ASTF Program Co-ordinators/Management Committees.

Question?
Does this mean that the Quality Achievement Matrix will remain the same, or be updated as programs develop further, and are entrenched into the local community?

The Quality Achievement Matrix will be reviewed - it needs to keep up with the quality improvements brought about by committed activity at the local level.

Question?
What about years 9 and 10? Is the Quality Achievement Matrix relevant?

The Quality Achievement Matrix was developed specifically for those partners implementing school-workplace learning programs / VET in Schools programs incorporating workplace learning, for students in years 11 and 12. However, there are many aspects of the Matrix that are relevant to consider, particularly the seven Focus Areas, in developing any quality program or organisation.

Question?
What about the quality assurance processes established by the state systems, and state training authorities?

All systems and state training authorities have established quality assurance processes relating to accredited VET in Schools programs. To implement effective programs, schools and their industry partners are clearly required to meet these 'systemic' quality assurance processes (for example, professional development requirements; assessment requirements etc).

The Quality Achievement Matrix has been endorsed by MCEETYA "as a guide to achieving best practice in workplace learning programs". State and Territory school sectors have been encouraged to use the Matrix.

Question?
If I have suggestions, how do I make them, and to whom?

Feel free to make comments and suggestions to the VECO discussion list. Review of the Matrix will involve a survey of users later in the year.

Question?
So who are the Australian Quality Council anyway?

The Australian Quality Council (AQC) is a membership based, not-for-profit organisation, recognised by the Commonwealth and industry as the peak body for the strategic development and deployment of Quality principles and practices to achieve sustainable organisational excellence. Question?
How do we use the outcomes of the 'self-assessment' process.

See message on Developing an Action Plan and, of course, the Your Guide to the New ASTF booklet.

Regards, Brigid Freeman
Australian Student Traineeship Foundation
Level 9, 76-80 Clarence Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 626 839 (toll free) / 02.9299 5899