Guest posting to voced-coord list

Item 7 of 8: Final Comments

Date: Fri, 01 Aug 1997 16:27:39 +1000
To: voced-coord@owl.qut.edu.au
From: Mike Frost
Subject: VocEd: Mike Frost (Guest) - Final Comments

Dear VET Co-ordinators
Thanks for the feedback to some of my comments, particularly on the New Apprenticeships. I'm interested in any ongoing issues in relation to that and any others for that matter.

Can I put in a plug for VETNETwork? VETNETwork is a national network with around 700 members, not just teachers and coordinators, but industry trainers, private training providers, peak bodies like the ASTF, education systems people, TAFE and Skillshare and Group Training Companies.

It is gradually emerging as one of two or three bodies with a genuine national perspective on vocational education in schools. I'd include the ASTF and the MCEETYA Task Force on VET in Schools as others. Increasingly that national perspective is being put to use. Let me give you some examples:
1. TasVETA's inaugural conference in Launceston next week, "Celebrating Best Practice" has drawn a national response with participants from all states. Its main speakers are national. All of this was networked through VETNETwork.
2. Likewise Queensland's Post Compulsory Association's conference in May drew national interest and participation partly because of our publication and assisting in a national mail-out.
3. The Vetnetworker is being consistently used to contact other practitioners. I had a phone conversation yesterday with a conference planner from SA on strategies for involving industry in educational PD. He had been stimulated by something he had read in The Vetnetworker.
4. We are being regularly contacted for information on speakers, national policy, other publications and so on where a national perspective is needed.
5. Increasingly we are being asked to assist with the dissemination of material to a national audience.

VETNETwork complements the work of other agencies and organisations by communicating information, best-practice, PD and the like. We are helping to create a national learning community with VET in schools as a particular focus.

VETNETwork is open to, indeed is dependent upon, people joining it. It is unique in this respect because it is a membership-driven organisation. If you would like to join simply email us or you can even download an application form from our website at http://info.rosny.tased.edu.au/vetnet/vetnet.htm. If you are currently a member we will be seeking your renewal in November this year.

Mike Frost
Executive Officer
VETNETwork - Vocational Education and Training Network
Mailing Address: VETNETwork PO Box 424 Rosny Park TAS 7018
Ph 0362 449254
Fax 0362 449299
Mobile 0412 053738
Email mfrost@info.rosny.tased.edu.au