It gives me great pleasure to intoduce Richard Sweet who has kindly agreed to be our first online guest. Richard wears two main hats - one as research coordinator for Dusseldorp Skills Forum and the other as Adjunct Professor in Vocational Education at the University of Technology Sydney.

Richard has been with DSF since 1989 and has been heavily involved in many aspects of the development of VET in schools programs particularly the development of TRAC. He writes extensively in a research capacity, is on the Council of ACER, is a member of NREC, which funds vocational education research through NCVER, and has worked with the OECD. His current research includes State comparisons of approaches to school-industry programs, employability and a study of early school leavers. He has a wealth of experience and expertise which informs his role in the research, the developmnent of policy and as an advocate for workplace learning programs.

As our online guest he will focus on "20 reasons why schools and teachers should get involved in workplace learning programs" and the introduction of VET in Schools at grade 9 and 10 level. He will do this by posting short pieces of writing to the list and inviting questions and debate.

ASKING QUESTIONS OR RESPONDING TO ONLINE GUESTS:
Please send your responses to the list address
voced-coord@owl.qut.edu.au
As the subject, simply 'reply' or use the subject: Richard Sweet (guest).
This will help keep the thread of Richard's discussions separate from other traffic to the list.

Richard will be our online guest for the two weeks: June 16 - June 27. Please make him welcome!

regards
Janine
____________________________________________
Janine Bowes
Project Officer: Voc-Ed Co-ordinators Online
A project of Australian Student Traineeship Foundation (ASTF)
in partnership with Aussie Schoolhouse (http://www.ash.org.au)
telephone: 03 6245 9099
mobile: 0417 350956
fax: 03 6249 1984
international: +61 3 6245 9099
E-mail: boweja@asgard.clare.tased.edu.au ___________________________________________