2009 ACFE Board Purchasing Package
Part One Investment Model
Part Two ACFE Board Funding
Part Three Delivery Plans
Part Four Evidence Guide
Part Five Appendix
The Purchasing Package and application templates are available on the
ACFE website at www.acfe.vic.gov.au
Message from the ACFE General Manager
Adult Community Education is an important part of the Victorian Government’s new skills agenda.
The Premier and Minister for Skills and Workforce Participation launched Securing Jobs for Your
Future – Skills for Victoria in August heralding the Government’s objectives to:
increase the number of Victorians undertaking training in the right skill areas and levels
required by the economy and our communities;
ensure the training system engages more effectively with individuals and businesses;
increase provider responsiveness to Victoria’s industry and workforce; and
create a culture of lifelong skills development across the State.
Over the next four years a number of reforms will be rolled out across Victoria’s training system.
The Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board is working to ensure that these
reforms are successfully implemented across the community education sector. Reforms will be
progressive, building upon one another. This will ensure that by the time Securing Jobs for Your
Future is fully implemented in 2011/12, ACE providers can capitalise on their strengths and be in
the best position to operate in the new skills environment.
This 2009 ACFE Board Purchasing Package reflects this goal.
From 2011 ACE providers delivering at the pre-accredited level will continue to have a purchasing
relationship with the ACFE Board. However from 2011 onwards, providers delivering accredited
government supported training will operate within the contestable training market.
ACFE Regional Council staff will be available to directly answer queries providers may have about
the detail of the 2009 ACFE Board Purchasing Package.
Resources and further information are available on the ACFE website http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au.
SANDY FORBES
ACFE General Manager
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Contents
Message from the ACFE General Manager ......................................................................... 2
Contents .............................................................................................................................. 3
Context ................................................................................................................................ 4
Part One - ACFE Board Investment Model .......................................................................... 6
Part Two - ACFE Board Funding 2009 ................................................................................ 7
1. Purchase of Pre-accredited Training ............................................................................ 7
2 Purchase of Accredited Training ................................................................................... 8
3 Youth Programs ............................................................................................................ 9
4 Delivery Support Fund ................................................................................................ 10
5 Other Funding ............................................................................................................. 12
Part Three - Delivery Plans Guide ..................................................................................... 14
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................. 14
2. Completing the Pre-accredited Delivery Plan template............................................... 15
3 Completing the Accredited Delivery Plan template ..................................................... 16
Part Four - Evidence Guide ............................................................................................... 18
Part Five - Appendix .......................................................................................................... 19
Key Documents .............................................................................................................. 19
Key References .............................................................................................................. 19
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Context
Legislative and Governance Context
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006
This Act establishes the governance arrangements for the provision of Adult, Community and
Further Education (ACFE) through the establishment of the ACFE Board, Regional Councils of
ACFE and two Adult Education Institutions (AEIs) – the Adult Multicultural Education Services
(AMES) and the Centre for Adult Education (CAE). It stipulates the powers and responsibilities of
the Minister, the ACFE Board and the relationship with Regional Councils of ACFE. The Act can be
obtained from http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/
Role of the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board
The role of the Adult, Community and Further Education (ACFE) Board is to advise the Minister on
the provision of education and training programs and services for adults in community based and
Adult Education Institution settings, in order to build capability of individuals and capacity of
communities to meet the objectives of Government.
Further information on the ACFE Board and Regional Councils of ACFE can be found at
http://www.acfe.vic.gov.au/
Role of Regional Councils of ACFE
The Education and Training Reform Act 2006 identifies the functions of Regional Councils of
ACFE. The functions include making recommendations to the ACFE Board about funding and
resource allocation for adult, community and further education provision. Accordingly, the Regional
Council negotiates the purchase of education and training on behalf of the ACFE Board from
providers.
The function of this Purchasing Package is to provide information and guidance to Regional
Council and Providers to assist them negotiate appropriate purchasing arrangements for education
and training delivery in 2009 that reflect ACFE Board policies and objectives.
Policy Context
(a) The Skills Reform Statement Securing Jobs for Your Future – Skills for Victoria issued in
August 2008 has restructured the way in which Government invests in skills training.
The goals of the Skills Reform are to:
Increase the number of people undertaking training in the areas and at the levels where
skills are needed for Victoria’s economic and social development
Develop a training system that engages more effectively with individuals and businesses
and is easier to navigate
Ensure that the skills system is responsive to the changing needs of Victoria’s industry and
workforce, and
Create a culture of lifelong skills development.
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(b) Ministerial Statements
In June 2004 the Minister for Education and Training launched the Statement Future Directions
for Adult and Community Education. In Securing Jobs for Your Future, the Minister for Training
and Workforce Participation announced that a new ACE Statement will be prepared and launched
in early 2009 to better align the Skills Reform Agenda with Adult Community Education priorities.
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Part One - ACFE Board Investment Model
Key Features of the ACFE Board Investment Model
The ACFE Board Investment Model aims to assist ACE Providers transition to the Skills Reform
training environment of 2011.
The ACFE Board will purchase accredited and pre-accredited student contact hours to contribute
to Vocational Education and Training provision in Victoria.
A minimum delivery purchase of 500 SCH will be maintained in 2009.
Accredited student contact hours will be purchased at Foundation, Skills Creation and Skills
Building levels. The ACFE Board will purchase Skills Deepening level student contact hours until
30 June 2009.
ACFE will continue to provide support to ACE organisations through access to a range of non-
delivery support programs and funding.
ACFE Board registration is a prerequisite of ACFE Board funding.
ACE Providers must be able to demonstrate the viability of their businesses at the point of contract
using the annual Business Viability Assessment.
The ACFE Board’s 2009 target group remains adult learners who have not yet achieved year 12 or
equivalent educational qualification.
Delivery Plans will be used to identify courses/ programs being purchased and will be agreed with
the Regional Council.
The Evidence Guide provides a planning framework that informs purchasing discussions between
Regional Councils and ACE Providers.
ACFE Board payments will be linked to the valid and timely reporting of training activity according
to the Victorian Student Statistical Data Guidelines (AVETMISS).
ACE Providers must implement Ministerial Directions on Fees and Charges.
From 2011 ACE providers delivering at the pre-accredited level will continue to have a purchasing
relationship with the ACFE Board. However from 2011 onwards, providers delivering accredited
government supported training will operate within the contestable training market.
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Part Two - ACFE Board Funding 2009
1. Purchase of Pre-accredited Training
The primary purpose of pre-accredited delivery is to provide vocational education and training
(VET) opportunities that engage and initiate vocational pathways for the most educationally
disadvantaged learners. Pre-accredited delivery has an emphasis on those learners who have not
achieved year nine or an equivalent qualification. It addresses the particular needs of reluctant
learners who find it difficult to undertake accredited programs as their first step into VET.
Pre-accredited delivery is counted by Victoria as part of its training effort in the statistical reporting
of VET to the Commonwealth.
In the context of accessing the Pre-accredited funding budget, Pre-accredited delivery must satisfy
the following criteria consistent with the Victorian statistical data guidelines (AVETMISS):
Subject-only programs including
Locally designed program; or
Unit of competency from a Training Package; or
Module from a nationally recognized accredited course.
Module or units of competency reported without a course code form part of Pre-accredited training.
ACFE Profile Pre-accredited Delivery
Funding from the ACFE Board Profile budget is available for the purchase of student contact
hours for pre-accredited delivery.
Programs will have a minimum duration of 20 program or course hours.
50% of the total student contact hours will be purchased at $6.23 per hour and 50% will be
purchased at $7.19 per hour.
Regional Council may request evidence of a pre-accredited quality framework. The use of the
A-Frame is highly recommended in 2009.
Pre-accredited programs are described in terms of the following ACFE Program categories:
Adult Literacy and Numeracy
Training for adults in literacy and numeracy skills including teaching English language to people
from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, for example English as a Second Language
(ESL).
Employment Skills
Training in basic skills to support work or further learning, such as communications, teamwork and
problem solving, job search skills.
Vocational Programs
Vocational education that assists people with skills acquisition required for specific occupations to
start work, return to work or to change jobs.
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2 Purchase of Accredited Training
Accredited training means training associated with a Training Package Qualification or a nationally
recognised accredited course.
Accredited delivery will include any activity reported under a Training Package Qualification or
nationally recognised accredited course code, whether or not the student enrols in the full course.
Module or units of competency reported without a course code form part of Pre-accredited training.
ACFE Profile Accredited Delivery
Funding from the ACFE Board Profile budget is available for the purchase of student contact
hours for accredited delivery
50% of the total student contact hours will be purchased at $6.23 per hour and 50% will be
purchased at $7.19 per hour.
Accredited Training Levels
In 2009, the skill level framework identified in Securing Jobs for your Future will apply to accredited
training purchased by the ACFE Board.
The categories are:
Comprising literacy, numeracy and
Foundation Skills
language skills
Skills Creation Certificate levels 1 and 2
Skills Building Certificate levels 3 and 4
Skills Deepening Diploma and Advanced Diploma
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3 Youth Programs
Youth Pathways Program (YPP) funding will continue to approved ACE providers for delivery to
learners aged 16 – 19 years of age who have left school without completing year 12 or an
equivalent qualification. YPP courses should be included and identified on the Accredited Delivery
Plan and coded Z99.
Funding for other Youth Programs will be negotiated through separate processes outside this
purchasing round.
VCAL Support will continue to approved ACE providers.
Youth Guarantee funding will continue to approved ACE Providers in line with the 2008 – 2009
Youth Guarantee Guidelines,
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4 Delivery Support Fund
The objective of the Delivery Support Fund is to provide additional support to ACE providers to
sustain delivery to learners.
Application
The Delivery Support Fund will be submission based and competitive. ACE Providers will be able
to submit for funding of up to $4,000.
Applications will be submitted to the Regional Council using the prescribed application template.
An application template is available below and an electronic copy of the template is available from
the ACFE website at www.acfe.vic.gov.au
Applications for Delivery Support Funding must identify activities that address:
maintenance of business viability and compliance with conditions of registration; and/or
maintenance of student data systems that support timely and accurate reporting of delivery
activity; and/ or
support for delivery in rural and remote locations; and/or
other activities that prepare the Provider for transition to the Skills Reform environment of
2011.
Applications will be assessed against these criteria.
Delivery Support Fund grants cannot be used for:
delivery of SCH;
duplication of programs or services already in operation or planned;
the employment of staff;
projects that have recurrent cost implications;
the purchase of furniture or equipment.
Due Date
Delivery Support Applications must be submitted to the Regional Council by 21 November 2008.
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NOTE: this template is available electronically from the ACFE Board website.
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5 Other Funding
The ACFE Board has a range of other funding sources. Details about each area including
application procedures, templates and reporting requirements are available from the Funding and
Resources section of the ACFE Board website www.acfe.vic.gov.au
Funding sources in 2009
Source Description
Commonwealth
New Guidelines to be released
Equipment
Fee Concession
ACE Providers are required to implement the Ministerial Directions on
Contribution
Fees and Charges when enrolling learners in an ACFE Board funded
program. The fee concession contribution paid to ACE providers by the
Government acknowledges the fees foregone by the Provider when they
grant fee concessions to learners in accordance with Ministerial Directions.
Providers will be paid in two instalments in 2009 for the reported delivery
of ACFE Board funded education and training in 2008. Evidence for
determining each year’s allocation is drawn from statistical reports
supplied by training providers during the previous year and is automatic
based on that data.
ACE Providers must comply with both the Ministerial Direction on Fees
and Charges and statistical reporting requirements relating to concessions
and fee exemptions. Compliance with these two elements is included in
annual audit procedures to monitor entitlement to supplementary funds.
Community ACE organisations apply for CLP funds in an annual funding round.
Learning Applications are evaluated at a regional level using a standardised
Partnership (CLP) evidence-based approach which allocates all eligible applications to one of
four levels. Regional evaluations form the basis of recommendations for
funding submitted to the ACFE Board.
State Equipment The 2009 State Equipment Grant has been allocated.
ACE Capacity The Skills Reform package provides $10.8 million to build the capacity of
Building Projects the ACE sector. The initiatives are:
Technology for Teaching - $2.7 million over 4 years to support
continuing access to the ACFE Microsoft Agreement.
Building Business Skills for a Contestable Environment – $3.7 million
over 4 years in two key areas:
ACE Business Models –to expand the ACE Sustainable Community
Businesses and ACE Business Models frameworks and workshops.
Shared Services Pilot - over two years to establish shared service centre
demonstration projects for smaller ACE providers particularly, to help them
gain a better position to compete for funding and respond to increased
demand.
Capacity of the ACE workforce to provide quality responses to the
educational needs of hard to reach clients - $4.4 million over four years
in three key areas:
Responding to Hard to Reach Learners - to improve the quality of the
learning experience, the professional capacity of ACE teachers and
outcomes for learners in hard to reach markets using a model based on
the Circles of Professional practice and related ACE strategies.
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Improving the quality of pre-accredited delivery - to expand and strengthen
the use of the A-Frame and other strategies to improve the quality and
outcomes delivered through pre-accredited training.
Responding to specific learner cohorts – CALD/ESL - to an AEI to provide
sector wide leadership that builds the capacity of ACE providers to deliver
ESL and education services to CALD learners, particularly in areas of new
settlement, rapid growth and to new CALD groups.
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Part Three - Delivery Plans Guide
This section is a guide to completing Delivery Plan templates.
1. Introduction
Approved Delivery Plans are a part of the ACE Providers’ contract with their Regional Council of
ACFE. There are two Delivery Plans – accredited and pre-accredited. ACE Providers proposing
to deliver ACFE Board funded education and training must complete the relevant Delivery Plan/s
and submit them to the appropriate Regional Council.
Variations to the Delivery Plan
ACE Providers proposing to vary the delivery of programs from the contractually agreed Delivery
Plan must negotiate the variation and obtain prior approval from the Regional Council.
Scope of Registration
An ACE Provider needs to ensure that the accredited courses it plans to deliver are within its
Scope of Registration or deliver the courses with a delivery partner that has the courses on its
Scope of registration.
Regional Council Role
As part of the annual Delivery Planning process, Regional Councils of ACFE will monitor
progress against the contract delivery (SCH) targets on behalf of the ACFE Board, including
comparing the ACE provider’s approved delivery plan approved by the Regional Council and the
actual reported delivery.
Templates
Delivery Plan templates are available in electronic form as Microsoft Excel spreadsheet files from
the ACFE Board website www.acfe.vic.gov.au. Further information about the purchasing process
can be obtained from Regional Councils of ACFE.
Due Date
Delivery Plans must be finalised with the Regional Council by 21 November 2008.
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2. Completing the Pre-accredited Delivery Plan template
Section A
Region Identify the Regional Council of ACFE with whom the Provider is seeking a contract to
deliver ACFE Board funded education and training. This field has a drop down list.
Date the Plan is completed
ACE Provider Current Provider name as it appears on your ABN
TOID Training Organisation Identifier
ABN Australian Business Number
Contact Person Name of the person with whom the Regional Council of ACFE can discuss the
content of the Delivery Plan
Contact Phone / E-mail Contact person’s e-mail and telephone number
Delivery Plan Version Delivery Plan version 1, or a revision i.e. version 2, 3 etc.
Summary by ACFE Program Categories
This section will calculate automatically from data entered in Section B. ACFE Program
Categories used in the Pre-accredited Delivery Plan are discussed in Part One 3.4
Section B
1. Module Code Module/Unit of Competency code.
2. Module Name Module/Unit of Competency name.
3. Field of Education (FoE) for the Program/Module or Unit of Competency
This field has a drop down list. The FoE should be based on the intent of the program. If the
module or unit of competency belongs to an accredited national course or a training package
qualification, use the FOE listed in the course training package documentation
4. ACFE Program Category
This field is automatically populated, depending on the Field of Education chosen for the
program.
5. Learning Outcomes including Pathways
Learning outcomes of the pre-accredited program should reflect the intent of the Ministerial
Statement on Adult and Community Education which is to provide learners with a further study
or employment pathway.
6. Local Government Area (LGA) of Delivery
Choose the appropriate LGA from the drop down list
7. Program Scheduled Hours
Total number of time tabled scheduled hours per student (minimum 20 SCH)
8. Number of Students
Number of students to be enrolled in the Module/Unit of Competency.
9. Total Scheduled Student Contact Hours (SCH)
This field will calculate automatically from data entered in previous fields.
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3 Completing the Accredited Delivery Plan template
Section A
Contains the following fields:
Region Identify the Regional Council of ACFE with whom the Provider is seeking a contract to
deliver ACFE Board funded education and training. This field is a pull-down list.
Date Date the Plan is completed
ACE Provider Current Provider name as it appears on your ABN
TOID Training Organisation Identifier
ABN Australian Business Number
Contact Person The name of the person with whom the Regional Council of ACFE can discuss
the content of the Delivery Plan
Contact Phone / E-mail Contact person’s e-mail and telephone number
Delivery Plan Version Delivery Plan is version 1, or a revision i.e. version 2, 3 etc.
Summary of Purchased Contact Hours, Skill Level Summary Tables
These sections are automatically calculated from data entered in Section B.
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Section B
Any codes entered in this Delivery Plan must be reported unchanged in AVETMISS.
1. Funding Source Code
This field has a drop down menu. Choose ‘P’ for Profile delivery or choose ‘Z99’ if the funding
source is Youth Pathway Program.
2. Course/Qualification Code
Accredited course or training package qualification code as listed on the scope of registration.
3. Name of Course or Training Package Qualification Name
This field is self populating.
4. Module/Unit of Competency Code
Use this field only if modules are selected from an accredited course or training package
qualification.
5. Module or Unit of Competency Name
This field must contain the accredited or local Module/Unit of Competency name.
6. Skill Level
This field will calculate automatically from data entered in previous fields.
7. Learning Outcomes including Pathways
The learner outcomes of the accredited program need to reflect the intent of the Ministerial
Statement on Adult and Community Education which is, in general, to provide learners with a
further study or a pathway to employment.
8. Delivery partner name
Delivery partner name if applicable. Accredited Courses delivered in partnership with another
organisation must be delivered by a training organisation that has RTO status and has the
course/module on their Scope of Registration.
Partnership arrangements involve a formal agreement between Providers to deliver programs.
If applicable, include a copy of the proposed partnership arrangements with your Delivery
Plan submission to the Regional Council.
9. Local Government Area (LGA) of Delivery
Choose the appropriate LGA from the drop down list
10. Scheduled Course Hours
Total number of time tabled scheduled hours per student
11. Number of Students
Number of students
12. Total Scheduled Student Contact Hours (SCH)
This field will calculate automatically from data entered in previous fields.
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Part Four - Evidence Guide
Since the Ministerial Statement was issued in 2004 the ACFE Board has focused its purchasing
on specific learner groups. This approach continued the fundamental role of the Adult Community
Education (ACE) sector, which is to provide adult and community education to individuals from a
diverse range of backgrounds, particularly those who require preparation for employment and
further education.
The ACFE Board’s specific learner cohorts for the last four years include many people who will be
eligible for Government funded education and training from 2011 in the emerging Skills Reform
environment as part of the Victorian Training Guarantee. Continued use of the Evidence Guides
to inform a learner centred approach to training places ACE providers in a good forward planning
position.
The 2008 Evidence Guides, which draw on information from the 2007 reported student data and
from the 2006 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Census, identifies the performance of ACE in
meeting ACFE Board purchasing priorities of delivering education and training to particular
cohorts of people.
The ACFE Board purchases education and training from ACE Providers and Adult Education
Institutions to achieve outcomes for learners that result in improved employment outcomes,
increased vocational skills and the capacity to move on to further education and training. Entry
level courses are considered to be the core purpose of ACFE Board funded programs.
To access the Evidence Guide on the ACFE website click on the relevant section below:
Section I-III
Section IV Regional Evidence Guide
Regional Population and data summary by LGA
Evidence Guides inform Regional Council of ACFE - ACE Provider negotiations for purchasing
2009 ACFE Board funded education and training.
Evidence Guides contain information that identifies who are potential Government funded
learners, for example prior qualifications of potential learners, and where they live. It also contains
summary information about industry skill development needs.
This information is made available to assist Providers transition towards a Skills Reform
environment that is learner centred.
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Part Five - Appendix
Key Documents
Securing Jobs for Your Future – Skills for Victoria
This policy statement outlines the government’s reforms for the vocational education and training
sector announced on 26 August 2008.
http://www.skills.vic.gov.au/corporate/directions/skillsreform
Growing Victoria Together
A statement that expresses the Government’s broad vision for the future and balances economic,
social and environmental goals to 2010. www.growingvictoria.vic.gov.au
A Fairer Victoria
Through this policy, the Victorian Government is making it a priority to work with people and
organisations at a local level, to find practical ways to strengthen communities and use local
knowledge and expertise to solve local problems.
http://www.dvc.vic.gov.au/Web14/dvc/rwpgslib.nsf/GraphicFiles/A+Fairer+Victoria+new+2007/$fil
e/070406_a_fairer_victoria_fa2_web.pdf
Key references
Pre Accredited delivery
The A-Frame – an ACE Framework for Pre Accredited learning is available to guide planning of
ACFE Board funded Pre Accredited delivery see www.acfe.vic.gov.au. For advice and support on
planning delivery contact the relevant Regional Council of ACFE or the CAE on (03) 9652 0636.
Accredited delivery
For information on becoming a Registered Training Organisation or extending your scope of
registration see www.vrqa.vic.gov.au.
For information on the range of nationally accredited qualifications and Training Packages see
www.ntis.gov.au.
Further Education course summaries and curriculum are available from the Training Support
Network (TSN) website at http://trainingsupport.otte.vic.gov.au
Advice and support on planning accredited Further Education programs can be obtained from the
General Studies and Further Education Curriculum Maintenance Manager (CMM) located at
Victoria University.
Email sicmm.generalstudies@vu.edu.au; phone (03) 9919 8375 or (03) 9919 8327.
Ministerial Fees and Charges
The Ministerial Fees and Charges are currently being updated to reflect the new Fees and
Charges as detailed in Securing Jobs for Your Future – Skills for Victoria. These will be updated
on the website prior to the commencement of 2009.