Guest posting to voced-coord email list. Item 7 of 15:

Date: Mon, 16 Feb 1998 14:24:15 +1100
To: voced-coord@owl.qut.edu.au
From: Brigid Freeman
Subject: VocEd:Brigid Freeman (guest) Action Plan Proposals Part 2 - What to include:

Please note that the stuff that follows is really long, however, it does include a full list of everything you need to include in your Action Plan proposal - and please, if you have any comments, queries or suggestions, feel free to send a message ...

The "New ASTF kit" has all the information about developing an Action Plan proposal, but here's a summary:

Item 1 - Gather your resources:
Grab a copy of "Your Guide to the new ASTF"; the "Getting There" kit (which includes the Quality Achievement Matrix); the ASTF "Tools Catalogue: 1998"; and the Action Plan proposal checklist (the green form in the kit).

Item 2 - Assess your program:
Assess initiatives managed by your Management Committee against the Quality Achievement Matrix and accompanying Evidence Guide (from the "Getting There" kit).

Item 3 - Develop a program Action Plan:
Develop your Action Plan, including:

1. Outcomes of the self-assessment against the Quality Achievement Matrix;
   
2. A listing of proposed initiatives and associated key performance indicators to gain quality improvement (defined generally in relation to movement in depth, or up the Quality Achievement Matrix), against which progress and continuous quality improvement can be easily evaluated and measured; and
   
3. An indication of partners (such as industry) involved in your initiatives, and their respective roles undertaken in relation to management, implementation and operation of the program.

[note: milestones = measurable outcomes = key performance indicators] ...

Item 4 - Identify Measurable Outcomes and an achievement timeframe:
Identify a proposed timeframe (noting measurable outcomes which may represent proposed milestones of achievement) for your Action Plan proposal. These measurable outcomes and time-frames will be the key performance indicators of the successful implementation of your Action Plan.

When planning for more than one year, you need to keep in mind that
(1) the provision of ASTF financial support to affiliates in the longer term is dependent upon continuing funding to the ASTF from the Commonwealth!
(2) your Action Plan proposal, whilst providing a long term view/plan, should be sufficiently flexible to enable you to modify plans, following your ongoing evaluation and quality improvement process; and
(3) funding approvals will always consider milestones achieved.

Item 5 - Decide what tools you will need to achievve your Action Plan outcomes:
Provide a listing of requested resource materials and support services (ie complete the Tools Catalogue Order Form in the "New ASTF" kit).

Item 6 - Itemise an Action Plan Proposal Budget:
Prepare an Action Plan Budget(where you are requesting ASTF financial support), detailing financial and in-kind contributions gained from all sources (ie. schools; school systems; industry; students - if any; etc), and an itemised listing of financial support sought from the ASTF (including salaries; travel expenses; costs associated with contracting work; administration expenses; and any other items more than $1,000).

Please note that the ASTF generally does not provide financial support for capital expenditure (such as mobile phones, computers, data-base development, software etc.) or management committee member fees.

Action Plan Budgets should clearly specify the timeframe in question (for example, your Action Plan proposal may represent a 3 year plan, but your Action Plan Budget may only represent the first calendar year).

Item 7 - Planning for sustainability:
Include a statement documenting proposed or established/implemented strategies to address program independence in the long term (ie. a sustainability plan).

Item 8 - Provide a brief history of your program and achievements to date:
Names, positions and contact details of all stakeholders represented on the Management Committee, and an outline of partners responsibilities (with supporting documentation);

Names and addresses of all participating government and/or non-government schools;

A listing of industries (enterprises) and community organisations involved in supporting your program;

An overview of the nature and extent of employer involvement:

• How many enterprises are involved (in the whole program, not only those at individual schools)?
• To what extent do employers/enterprises provide ongoing placements (over a period of school years), or multiple placements (ie. to more than one student)?
• What level of growth (if any) is required in the number of employers/enterprises to sustain increases in the number of participating students (if any)?
• How many employers have participated in, and successfully achieved the Workplace Trainer (Category 1) statement of attainment?
• What strategies have been established to increase and sustain industry involvement in initiatives conducted?

• The number of Year 11 and 12 students participating in school-workplace learning programs incorporating workplace learning. Include the number of students in 1998 (listed by school-workplace learning program, or VET in Schools program) and include a projection for the anticipated number of students in 1999 (listed by school-workplace learning program / VET in Schools programs);

   

• Information regarding the outcomes of student destination tracking projects, where these have been undertaken;

   

• Information regarding the on-the-job / off-the-job education and training arrangements for each of the school-workplace learning program / VET in Schools program incorporating workplace learning implemented (ie. provide a listing, noting in relation to each school-workplace learning programs, how many hours/days per year students undertake workplace learning - on-the-job training; and how many hours/days off-the-job training);

   

• A listing of significant achievements to date, including outcomes of activities undertaken with financial assistance from the ASTF (where applicable).

  Action Plan proposals may be sent to the ASTF on disk (to Level 9, 76-80 Clarence Street, SYDNEY NSW 2000), by email (to hvanbeek@astf.com.au), fax (02 9299 6766) or post.
  Action Plan proposals must be received no later than 29th May, 1998.
  

  Hope the jigsaw is coming together. Any questions or comments?
  

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

  To view all of the interaction with the online guest browse the voced-coord archives from February 11 - 20, 1998.
  [back to list of guest postings][next guest posting]
  First published March 16, 1998.