` ACPET AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE 2013 APPLICANT GUIDELINES
Section 1: Introduction 1.1 About the ACPET Awards for Excellence The ACPET Awards for Excellence recognise independent private providers of education and training across Australia s tertiary sector. The awards recognise the outstanding contribution made by individuals and organisations in private education and training in the tertiary sector, as well as showcasing outstanding industry initiatives. The awards acknowledge individual practitioners, students, education providers, initiatives and achievements built on relationships with industry and the broader community, which are setting the benchmark in the delivery of high quality private education and training. Education and training in the post-compulsory tertiary education sector include: Higher Education (HE) International Education (on and offshore), and Vocational Education and Training (VET). 1.2 Purpose of these guidelines The guidelines provide information for applicants applying for any of the following eight categories: Higher Education Provider of the Year Industry Initiative International Education Provider of the Year Social Inclusion Initiative Student of the Year Teacher of the Year Vocational Education Training Provider of the Year, and Workplace Coach of the Year (new category in 2013). Section 2: Requirements and conditions 2.1 Eligibility requirements institutions must be current ACPET members applicants, students and teachers must be ACPET members, either employed or have completed their qualification during the financial year of 2012-13 employers must be nominated by the institution and must provide a completed nomination form applications for Student of the Year must be nominated by the institution and must provide a completed nomination form together with the application, and individual award applications must be aged 16 years and over (there is no maximum age limit). 2.2 Completing your application Ensure that you: showcase achievements and outcomes (demonstrating innovation and best practice) address the selection criteria for the particular award you are applying for use examples, case studies or quotes to strengthen the application 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 2
read the guidelines, ensuring all eligibility requirements are addressed adhere to the word count limit of 3,000 words, which includes both electronic and visual attachments complete and submit the nomination form submit attachments in electronic form, for example: JPEG files, PDF, etc, and submit the application by the closing date. Late submissions will not be accepted. Note: you are encouraged to provide your evidence throughout the application, as attachments are not recommended, however will be accepted. 2.3 Award conditions The award is conditional upon award holders meeting the conditions outlined below should you be nominated as a finalist or the winner: the 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence relate to the financial year of 2012-13 the Student of the Year nominee must have completed their studies within the financial year of 2012-13 finalist must be available to attend the awards night, scheduled for Friday 30 August 2013 ACPET will only financially support the finalists in the Student of the Year category to attend the awards dinner, and agreement for ACPET to publish relevant components of the winners and finalists application for promotional purposes. These awards will be assessed on merit by the judging panel. The judging that will be undertaken for each category will be an application based assessment. You may however be invited to an interview, to provide further information. ACPET has the right to withdraw any of the eight award categories owing to insufficient applications being received for a given category. Section 3: Awards description and eligibility criteria 3.1 Higher Education Provider of the Year The Higher Education Provider of the Year award recognises excellence in the provision of higher education services. CRITERIA A: Overview of services Provide an overview of your higher education services. CRITERIA B: Leading practice Describe how your institution has displayed excellence through the design and development of best practice in: leadership innovative teaching and learning, and student support and services. Describe how excellence has been demonstrated in scholarly and professional development activities in actively influencing and enhancing student learning. 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 3
CRITERIA C: Excellence in staff support Describe how excellence has been displayed in fostering and maintaining a learning culture that supports the professional and personal needs of staff. CRITERIA D: Industry and community engagement or social responsibility Describe key partnerships your organisation has developed with external organisations, which add value to your students study and future goals. As part of the ongoing academic services, describe what other activities or outreach has been developed in accordance with the institutions social responsibility agenda towards staff, students and the broader community. CRITERIA E: Quality Describe how your institution has displayed excellence in quality assurance and continuous improvement arrangements. CRITERIA F: Success stories Describe how your students are taking advantage of your higher education services to gain better employment and career outcomes. 3.2 Industry Initiative The Industry Initiative award recognises leadership, outreach and collaborative activity between HE or VET providers and industry partners, including industry workforce, success in productivity outcomes and fostering of career pathways. CRITERIA A: Overview of services Provide a brief profile of your institution. Provide an overview of the registered training organisation (RTO) or higher education/industry collaboration specific to this initiative. CRITERIA B: Leading learning and teaching practice Describe how the students learn and practise their skills. Describe the innovative learning style or experiences available to the students through this industry initiative. Describe how your institution s engagement with industry encourages innovation and excellence in teaching and student outcomes. CRITERIA C: Partnerships Describe the partnership between your institution and industry partners. How and why was the partnership formed? CRITERIA D: Quality Describe how quality is maintained and demonstrated, including continuous improvement, evaluation and review of this initiative. CRITERIA E: Success stories Provide examples of students achieving success as a result of this industry initiative. 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 4
3.3 International Education Provider of the Year The International Education Provider of the Year award recognises excellence in the provision of HE, VET or English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) education to non- Australian students at in-country or offshore Australian institutions. CRITERIA A: Overview of services Provide an overview of your HE, VET or ELICOS services. Please provide a profile of your organisation, this can include: student enrolment numbers and profile the number and location of sites comparison between domestic and international student enrolments, and courses and qualification levels delivered at your organisation. CRITERIA B: Leading learning and teaching practice Describe the supportive, flexible and innovative teaching and learning environment, which your organisation has developed and maintained to meet the educational requirements of international students. Describe how program implementation has successfully catered for and overseen positive learning for all international students. CRITERIA C: Excellence in staff support Describe how excellence has been displayed in fostering and maintaining a learning culture that supports the professional and personal needs of staff. CRITERIA D: Partnerships Describe key partnerships your organisation has developed with external organisations, which add value to your students study and future goals. CRITERIA E: Quality Describe how in an evolving international education environment, your organisation has maintained and demonstrated quality in student educational outcomes. CRITERIA F: Success stories Share success stories of specific programs and/or individual students that exemplify your institutions high quality and innovative practices and outcomes for international students. 3.4 Social Inclusion The Social Inclusion award recognises successful initiatives which focus on social inclusion of marginalised people in education, particularly demonstrating success over time in building confidence and achieving career aspirations. CRITERIA A: Overview of services Provide a brief profile of your institution. Provide an overview of the social inclusion initiative, including your target audience(s). How does the initiative work and how was it formed? CRITERIA B: Leading learning and teaching practice Describe how the institution developed and sustained a wrap-around service with ongoing 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 5
support, which fostered personal growth and success of the most vulnerable students. CRITERIA C: Excellence in staff support Describe how excellence has been displayed in fostering and maintaining a learning culture that supports the professional and personal needs of staff, to provide services to the most marginalised community members. CRITERIA D: Partnerships Describe any partnerships formed as a part of this social inclusion initiative and how the partnership supported the success of this initiative. CRITERIA E: Quality Describe how quality is maintained and demonstrated, including continuous improvement, evaluation and review of this initiative. CRITERIA F: Success stories Describe ways in which this social inclusion approach has enabled students to gain sustained employment and/or further education pathways. Provide examples. 3.5 Student of the Year The Student of the Year award recognises outstanding achievement in undertaking and completion of coursework. Requirements: The selected candidate must demonstrate: a record of high academic achievement in HE or VET, leadership and community involvement outside the academic program the potential to participate fully in their profession or the wider community, demonstrating how this activity was built on and extended into leadership capabilities, and evidence of activity and leadership among the student body. CRITERIA A: Overview of the student s activity Provide a profile introduction of the student, including any barriers to education. Provide examples of leadership or self-empowerment achieved through their studies. Provide an overview of the student s academic (as appropriate), employment and other outcomes. Describe some of the challenges the candidate has had during their studies. How were these overcome? CRITERIA B: Leadership Describe how this candidate has demonstrated their leadership across the student body. CRITERIA C: Success story Provide an example of key successes of the candidate. How did they achieve their success? 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 6
3.6 Teacher of the Year The Teacher of the Year award recognises outstanding achievement of an individual practitioner in demonstrating excellence, innovation, leadership and dedication in their teaching. This may include VET trainers and assessors and higher education lecturers. CRITERIA A: Overview of the candidate Describe how the candidate has provided: leadership within the organisation and amongst peers strong commitment to their own professional development, and strong commitment to maintaining industry currency. CRITERIA B: Leading learning and teaching practice Describe how relationships between the teacher, students, industry and/or other external stakeholders supported the achievement of best practice. What have been some of the challenges for the candidate? How were they overcome? Describe some of the innovative institutional approaches implemented by the teacher. CRITERIA C: Partnerships Describe any partnerships instigated for the benefit of the institution and its students by the teacher. How are these of benefit? CRITERIA D: Quality Provide examples of student and other relevant satisfaction indicators demonstrating teaching quality. CRITERIA E: Success stories Provide examples of student success enabled through the teacher s teaching style and student support. 3.7 VET Provider of the Year The Vocational Education Training (VET) Provider of the Year award recognises excellence in the provision of vocational education and training programs. CRITERIA A: Overview of services Provide an overview of your RTO. Please provide a profile of your organisation, this can include: student enrolment numbers and profile the number and location of sites comparison between domestic and international student enrolments, and courses and qualification levels delivered at your organisation. CRITERIA B: Leading learning and teaching practice Describe the supportive, flexible and innovative teaching and learning environment which your organisation has developed and maintained to meet the educational requirements of students and industry. Describe how program implementation has successfully catered for and overseen positive learning for all students, (including those with special needs, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 7
Islanders, people with a disability, people from non-english speaking background, those residing in remote areas, gifted and talented students). CRITERIA C: Excellence in staff support Describe how excellence has been displayed in fostering and maintaining a learning culture that supports the professional and personal needs of staff. CRITERIA D: Partnerships Describe key partnerships your organisation has developed with external organisations, which add value to your students study and future goals. CRITERIA E: Quality Describe how quality is maintained and demonstrated, including continuous improvement, evaluation and review. CRITERIA F: Success stories Share success stories of specific programs and/or individual students that exemplify your institutions high quality and innovative practices and outcomes. 3.8 Workplace Coach of the Year The Workplace Coach of the Year award recognises the critical role played by workplace supervisors and mentors in supporting employees to develop new skills or to up-skill. CRITERIA A: Overview of the candidate Describe the workplace and the role of the candidate. CRITERIA B: Leading workplace practice Describe what strategies the candidate has put in place to ensure that employees complete their VET training. Describe how the candidate has provided a learning environment within the place of employment for employee(s) incorporating skill development within their jobs. CRITERIA C: Quality Describe how the candidate s commitment to quality is maintained and demonstrated. CRITERIA D: Success stories Provide examples of employees achieving success as a result of being coached by this candidate. Section 4: Application and selection process As the applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure your application including supporting documentation is submitted by the closing date. 4.1 Application dates Applications for the 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence will open on Thursday 9 May 2013 and close on Friday 21 June 2013, at 5.00pm. 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 8
4.2 Multiple applications Applicants wishing to apply for more than one award category must provide a separate and complete application for each category. Please ensure that you address the criteria for each award in the respective application(s). 4.3 Application process Application(s) should be submitted by email to: Anita Lijovic, ACPET National Communications Coordinator at anita.lijovic@acpet.edu.au Applicants will receive an email acknowledging receipt of the application, or notification of any difficulties with opening the email. Rectification of technical issues may only be resolved prior to the closing date and time. 4.4 Assessment of applications All applications submitted by the closing date will be considered by the ACPET awards judging panel to determine eligibility. Applications meeting the eligibility criteria will be considered and ranked against the selection criteria for the particular award. 4.5 Judging panel The awards judging panel will comprise four members for each category, appointed by ACPET. The panel members will include academics, industry peak organisation and government representatives. 4.6 Outcome of applicants Finalist will be notified by Friday 2 August 2013, with the winners announced at the ACPET National Conference dinner on Friday 30 August 2013, in Adelaide. 4.7 Your responsibility Applicants are responsible for ensuring the guidelines are read and understood. The award criteria provided should be used by applicants to guide the development of applications. Applicants should ensure the application meets all award eligibility requirements. It is the applicants responsibility to submit the application by the due date. If the application is not received by 5.00pm, Friday 21 June 2013, the application will not be considered. Applicants are responsible for all costs of the preparation and lodgement of the application. Section 5: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 5.1 Can an organisation or individual nominate for more than one category? Yes. An organisation (education or training provider, business or other) or individual can nominate more than one candidate for a particular award, provided all candidates/nominees meet the eligibility criteria for the respective award category. 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 9
5.2 Can a person or organisation nominate himself or herself? Yes, provided the eligibility criteria are meet. 5.3 Who can nominate candidates for an award? Nominations in all categories are welcome from: HE, VET and ELICOS providers employers and industry other organisations and groups within the HE and VET system, and individuals and the wider community. All nominators should ensure the person or organisation nominated meets the eligibility criteria for the award. The following are some examples: Student award: an employer nominates one or more apprentice(s), trainee(s) or other employees enrolled in accredited training a training provider nominates one or more of their outstanding student(s), and a school or registered training organisation nominates a school-based apprentice or trainee. Other awards: an industry association nominates an employer or a training provider for the relevant award, and a training provider, student or group of students nominates a teacher, trainer or lecturer for the Teacher of the Year award. 5.4 I am a student and I have already completed my course. Am I still eligible to apply for an award? Yes, students who have completed their course or are due to complete within the period of 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013 can apply for an award. 5.5 What do judges look for in a written nomination? the nomination must address the assessment criteria for the specific award the panel will be assessing applications against the criteria when short listing the finalists and winners candidates/nominees should outline strengths and use real and practical examples, and judges are looking for examples of excellence and innovation. 5.6 Can part of an organisation nominate? Where an application refers to the activity or initiative(s) taking place in one part(s) of an organisation, the nomination(s) must be in the name of the whole organisation. Where members have more than one campus, the nomination(s) must be in the name of the whole organisation. 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 10
Section 6: Privacy notice Information on your application is collected to administer the ACPET Awards for Excellence categories. All material provided to ACPET is accepted on the understanding that such material may only be used: to determine the finalists and winners of the ACPET Awards for Excellence categories, and to inform the public about the award outcomes, including the use of quotes or excerpts from applications. Material created by ACPET through the awards process, such as media statements, video and photographs are the property of ACPET. Section 7: Further enquiries If you have any other questions, you may contact: Anita Lijovic ACPET National Communications Coordinator Telephone: (03) 9412 5900 Email: anita.lijovic@acpet.edu.au 2013 ACPET Awards for Excellence Guidelines 11