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In 2024, there are 8 general award categories with a total prize pool of up to $84,000.
For learners
In 2024, the learner awards have been categorised into a ‘Skills for study and life’ and a ‘Skills for work’ award. Each award category is open to Victorian Learn Local pre-accredited learners aged between 18 and 67 years old.
Both awards focus on the key outcomes achieved by the learner, and whether they have proceeded into further study, volunteering or paid employment opportunities.
The eligibility and selection criteria have been modified to reflect the specific themes highlighted in each award category, so please make sure you read this information carefully before making a nomination.
Learner categories
Overview
This award recognises the achievements of adult Victorians who have developed the core skills they need for study and/or life.
The award will go to a learner who has achieved at least one of the below, as a result of their participation in one or more ACFE Board funded pre-accredited programs (Learn Local courses) in 2023:
- developed the literacy, numeracy and/or English language skills they needed to participate more fully in the community and/or to enter further study
and/or
- developed the literacy, numeracy, English language and/or digital skills they needed to successfully complete accredited training they were already undertaking.
The learner will have established pathways for themselves into further education and/or volunteer roles.
They will have demonstrated a high level of engagement with their learning and will have been actively developing new skills and enhancing their knowledge.
The learner will demonstrate a commitment to continuing their learning journey and be a role model for other people to show what can be achieved by participating in a Learn Local course.
The winner of this award will receive $5,000. Up to 3 remaining finalists for this award will each receive $1,000.
This award category is named in honour of Ro Allen, who is Australia’s first Gender and Sexuality Commissioner and was the former chairperson of the Adult, Community and Further Education Board from 2009 to 2015.
Other awards you may be eligible for
If the courses you are studying focus on developing skills needed for work, check out the Pre-accredited Learner (Skills for work) Award.
Eligibility
To apply for this award category, the nominee must:
- be aged between 18 and 67 years
- have completed at least one ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program (Learn Local course) between 1 January and 31 December 2023 that was focused primarily on developing core skills for study and/or life. Core skills are literacy, numeracy, English language, employability and digital skills
- have completed the above Learn Local course at a Learn Local provider that is currently registered with the ACFE Board.
Nominees will be asked to provide these details at the start of the nomination for on Award Force, but this will not count toward the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must also agree to the Conditions of Entry.
What you’ll need to apply
There are 3 parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit (includes a brief introduction – who you are, your course and where you studied). The Overview does not form part of the judging process or contribute to the word limit of your application.
- Responses to the selection criteria – 300-word limit for each response
- Supporting evidence - documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the learner’s achievements. Attachments may include training certificates, brochures, learner, trainer/teacher or volunteer testimonials or images. There is a limit of 10 pages of supporting evidence allowed per nomination.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than 5 minutes) to support your nomination. The video can be shot on a mobile phone or a computer.
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for clear and relevant examples of the learner’s achievements in their learning. You are welcome to use dot points to offer precise and factual examples of challenges faced and overcome through learning. Testimonials from other learners, trainers/teachers, and the Learn Local provider can help support the nomination.
The nomination should tell a story about the nominees learning journey, it will highlight where they have come from and what they are hoping to achieve in their future because of their learning.
Providing evidence of going ‘above and beyond’ can also improve the nomination, so include achievements that highlight qualities such as teamwork, communication, and showing initiative.
For nominators, it is important that the learner’s personal reflections and experiences are highlighted throughout the nomination. Here are some of the judging comments from last year’s Awards. These may help you prepare your nomination.
Judges’ comments from previous years that may help you prepare your nomination:
'...A transformational story, which has empowered the learner to establish themselves and succeed, inspiring them to make future goals that will enrich the community.'
'It would have been good to see some more reflections from the learner directly about their community connections, and the things that have helped inspire their journey.'
'A really well-evidenced narrative about their learning journey, with strong illustrative examples of the ways that his opportunities to learn were enhanced by the provider.'
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Learning achievements
Tell us about:
- the core skills you have gained as a result of participating in the pre-accredited program/s (e.g. literacy, numeracy, English language, employability and/or digital skills)
- how your new core skills have given you opportunities to achieve further education or other outcomes
- how you have demonstrated a high level of engagement with and passion for your learning.
Criterion 2: Enhanced personal skills, attributes and goals
Tell us about:
- the interpersonal skills and attributes you have gained as a result of participating in the pre-accredited program/s (e.g., communication skills, leadership, teamwork, goal-setting, resilience, problem-solving and other social skills)
- how the learnings gained as a result of participating in the pre-accredited training have influenced further development of your personal skills, attributes and goals for study and life
- what plans and goals you have over the next year in relation to further training, employment and volunteering.
Criterion 3: Other achievements
Tell us about:
- personal lessons that you have learned because of your studies in the pre-accredited program/s – think about how your studies have taught you lessons that you can apply in parts of your personal life or work life
- how you have engaged and become more involved with the community (either formally or informally) and some of the results of this involvement
- If you have taken up any leadership or mentoring roles since you started your pre-accredited program/s.
Overview
This award recognises the achievements of adult Victorians who have developed the core skills they needed for work.
The award will go to a learner, who has achieved at least one of the below, as a result of their participation in one or more ACFE Board funded pre-accredited programs (Learn Local courses) in 2023:
- developed the employability and digital skills, and/or the literacy, numeracy and English language skills they needed to get a job
and/or
- reskilled and/or upskilled (including within their current workplace/job), as workplace requirements change, and to keep pace with innovation, disruption and industry transition.
The learner will have established pathways for themselves into employment (including within their current workplace/job).
They will have demonstrated a high level of engagement with their learning and will have been actively developing new skills and enhancing their knowledge.
The learner will demonstrate a commitment to continuing their learning journey and be a role model for other people exemplifying what can be achieved by participating in a Learn Local course.
The winner of this award will receive $5,000. Up to three remaining finalists for this award will each receive $1,000.
Other awards you may be eligible for
If the courses you are studying focus on developing skills needed for study and life, check out the Ro Allen Award – Learn Local Pre-accredited Learner (Skills for study and life).
Eligibility
To apply for this award category, the nominee must:
- be aged between 18 and 67 years
- have completed at least one ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program (Learn Local course) between 1 January and 31 December 2023 that was focused primarily on developing core skills for work. Core skills are literacy, numeracy, English language, employability and digital skills
- have completed the above Learn Local course at a Learn Local provider that is currently registered with the ACFE Board.
Nominees will be asked to provide these details in response to several eligibility questions at the start of the nomination for on Award Force, but this will not count toward the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must also agree to the Conditions of Entry.
What you’ll need to apply
There are three parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit (includes a brief introduction – who you are, your course and where you studied). The Overview does not form part of the judging process.
- Responses to the selection criteria – 300-word limit for each response.
- Supporting evidence - documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the learner’s achievements. Attachments may include training certificates, brochures, learner, trainer/teacher or volunteer testimonials or images. There is a limit of 10 pages of supporting evidence allowed per nomination.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than 5 minutes) to support your nomination. or a computer.
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for clear and relevant examples of the learner’s achievements in their learning. You are welcome to use dot points to offer precise and factual examples of challenges faced and overcome through learning. Testimonials from other learners, trainers/teachers, and the Learn Local provider can help support the nomination.
The nomination should tell a story about the nominee’s learning journey, it will highlight where they have come from and what they are hoping to achieve in their future because of their learning.
Providing evidence of going ‘above and beyond’ can also improve the nomination, so include achievements that highlight qualities such as teamwork, communication, and showing initiative.
For nominators, it is important that the learner’s personal reflections and experiences are highlighted throughout the nomination. Here are some of the judging comments from last year’s Awards. These may help you prepare your nomination.
Judges’ comments from previous years that may help you prepare your nomination:
'...A transformational story, which has empowered the learner to establish themselves and succeed, inspiring them to make future goals that will enrich the community.'
'It would have been good to see some more reflections from the learner directly about their community connections, and the things that have helped inspire their journey.'
'A really well-evidenced narrative about their learning journey, with strong illustrative examples of the ways that his opportunities to learn were enhanced by the provider.'
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Learning achievements
Tell us about:
- core skills you have gained as a result of participating in the pre-accredited program/s (e.g., literacy, numeracy, English language, employability and/or digital skills)
- the employment pathway you are aiming to follow and any employment you have gained following your participation in the pre-accredited program/s
- how you have demonstrated a high level of engagement with and passion for your learning.
Criterion 2: Enhanced personal skills, attributes and goals
Tell us about:
- interpersonal skills and attributes you have gained as a result of participating in the pre-accredited program/s (e.g., communication skills, leadership, teamwork, goal setting, resilience, problem-solving and any relevant social skills).
- how your training experience has included your work pathway outcomes e.g., networks etc.
- learnings you have developed based on your studies which you can apply to work life (understanding of workplace dynamics, ways of communicating in the workplace, notworking etc.)
Criterion 3: Other achievements
Tell us about:
- personal lessons that you have learned because of your studies in the pre-accredited program/s – think about how your studies have taught you lessons that you can apply in parts of your personal life or work life
- how you have engaged and become more involved with the community (either formally or informally) and some of the results of this involvement
- any leadership or mentoring roles you have taken up since you started your pre-accredited program/s.
For trainers and leaders
There are two award categories for trainers and leaders in 2024.
The Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Trainer Award is specifically focused on Learn Local staff (paid) who are directly teaching an ACFE Board-funded pre-accredited program in the classroom (virtually or face-to-face).
The Victorian Learn Local Leadership Award recognises the great contributions of Learn Local coordinators, program managers, and other staff involved in the administration, planning and coordination of ACFE Board-funded training and/or programs.
Trainer and leader categories
Overview
This award recognises the outstanding contribution that all Learn Local trainers* make to support learners in developing their skills for study, work and life.
The award will go to an individual who taught an ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program (Learn Local course) at a registered Learn Local provider in 2023.
The winner will demonstrate a strong commitment to the Learn Local sector and an ability to engage people in learning (in the classroom, online or both). They will have strategies and techniques in place that enable them to provide or support quality training to meet different learner needs and establish pathways for them to further education and/or employment (paid or unpaid).
This individual will be a role model for colleagues and exemplify the dedication of Learn Local trainers.
The winner of this award will receive $5,000. Up to three remaining finalists for this award will each receive $1,000.
*For the purposes of these Awards, ‘trainer’ is the term used for any paid employee that teaches ACFE Board-funded pre-accredited programs at a registered Learn Local provider. The individual may also be known as a tutor, teacher, practitioner or educator.
Eligibility
To apply for this award category, the nominee must:
- be employed (paid) at a Learn Local provider that is currently registered with the ACFE Board.
- have taught an ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program (Learn Local course) between 1 January and 31 December 2023.
Nominees will be asked to provide these details in response to several eligibility questions at the start of the nomination for on Award Force, but this will not be included in the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must also agree to the Conditions of Entry.
What you’ll need to apply
There are three parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit (includes a brief introduction, your professional background, what brought you to the Learn Local sector and a description of the ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program/s that you taught during 2023). The Overview does not form part of the judging process.
- Responses to the selection criteria – 300-word limit for each response.
- Documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the trainer’s achievements. Attachments may include curriculum, A-Frames, course plans, learner or other trainer testimonials or images. There is a limit of 10 pages of supporting evidence allowed per nomination.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than 5 minutes) to support your nomination. The video can be shot on a mobile phone or a computer.
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for clear and relevant examples of the nominee’s commitment to engaging people in learning. Identifying techniques, strategies and factual examples of their teaching practice in action will help the judges as they review the nomination. Testimonials from learners and colleagues may also help support your nomination.
Providing evidence of going ‘above and beyond’ can also improve the nomination, so include achievements that highlight qualities such as teamwork, collaboration, leadership, communication, and showing initiative.
For nominators, it is important that the trainer’s personal reflections and experiences be highlighted throughout the nomination.
Here are some of the judging comments from last year’s Awards; these may help you prepare your nomination.
'...has succeeded in establishing many Learner Pathways to employment and further study by the way in which they have designed and delivered the program. Excerpts from student feedback reinforce the evidence of the program’s success.'
'...[the applicant’s] teaching and learning is clearly relevant to building capability in students for work and further study.'
'...is very learner centred, and their teaching techniques are designed to encourage to not only enhance the learners’ digital skills but explore possibilities for their lives.'
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Successful professional practice
Tell us about:
- how you have created opportunities for learners and your successful strategies to engage a particular group or groups of learners in ACFE Board funded pre-accredited programs or the activities in the organisation
- how you have engaged with other professionals to improve the standard of service or support provided to learners
- how you support the growth and sustainability of your organisation: how have you supported other staff and their peers? This response could include the development and sharing resources to assist with the delivery or ACFE Board funded pre-accredited programs.
Criterion 2: Positive outcomes achieved by learners that can be attributed to the nominee
Tell us about:
- learner pathways you have developed or improved, including your role and your actions in making these improvements which can be considered exemplary
- positive learning outcomes resulting from improvements you have contributed to. This response could include how you address barriers to participation, how you have inspired students to change in their attitudes and learning performance, and how you support learners to connect with community, further education and employment opportunities.
Criterion 3: Knowledge sharing, coaching and/or partnerships
Tell us about:
- how you have contributed to sharing knowledge, mentoring and coaching of other colleagues in your organisation (or wider) which have had a positive influence on creating enhanced learner experiences of pre-accredited training
- how you have developed any partnerships or networks that have helped to establish or contribute to positive outcomes for learners in your organisation.
Overview
This award recognises the outstanding leadership and contribution of Learn Local coordinators, program managers and other staff to the Learn Local sector.
This award will go to an individual involved in the administration, planning and/or coordination of an ACFE Board funded training and/or program/s* in 2023.
The winner will demonstrate strong leadership skills and their willingness to go above and beyond to ensure learners develop the skills they need for study, work and life. Their contribution may be a new innovation, a new or revised ACFE Board funded training and/or program, a new approach to engaging learners or to improve professional practice deemed to be ‘above and beyond’ the everyday, with a significant and positive impact on the learner/s. The contribution may also have a long-lasting impact within the Learn Local provider, their local community and/or the Learn Local sector.
This individual will be a role model for colleagues and exemplify the dedication of Learn Local coordinators, program managers and staff.
The winner of this award will receive $5,000. Up to three remaining finalists for this award will each receive $1,000.
*ACFE Board funded training and/or program/s includes pre-accredited training, Learner Engagement A-Frame Program, Family Learning Partnerships, Skills for Work and Study Pilot Programs and Adult, Literacy and Numeracy Practitioners Program.
Eligibility
To apply for this award category, the nominee must:
- be employed (paid) at a Learn Local provider that is currently registered with the ACFE Board
- have been involved in the administration, planning and/or coordination of an ACFE Board funded training and/or program/s (i.e., pre-accredited training, Learner Engagement A-Frame Program, Family Learning Partnerships, Skills for Work and Study Pilot Programs and Adult, Literacy and Numeracy Practitioners Program) between 1 January and 31 December 2023.
Nominees will be asked to provide these details in response to several eligibility questions at the start of the nomination for on Award Force, but this will not be included in the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must also agree to the Conditions of Entry.
What you’ll need to apply
There are three parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit (includes a brief introduction – your professional background, what brought you to the Learn Local sector and a description of the ACFE Board-funded training and/or program/s that the nominee was involved in during 2023). The Overview does not form part of the judging process.
- Responses to the selection criteria – 300-word limit for each response
- Supporting evidence - documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the nominee’s achievements. Attachments may include learner, trainer or volunteer testimonials or images. There is a limit of 10 pages of supporting evidence allowed per nomination.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than 5 minutes) to support your nomination. or a computer.
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for clear and relevant examples of the nominee’s commitment to learners and achieving positive outcomes within the community. You will need to describe the ACFE-Board-funded program or project that you have supported through a planning, management, or coordination role. Testimonials from learners, trainers, colleagues, and Learn Local providers may also help support your nomination.
Providing evidence of going ‘above and beyond’ can also improve the nomination, with qualities such as collaboration, leadership, and showing initiative all highly regarded by the judges.
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Leadership
Tell us about:
- how you have had a have a positive influence on the development and delivery of ACFEB funded training and/or program/s
- how you have supported the development and delivery of ACFE Board-funded training and/or programs
- how you believe you make a difference through your leadership.
Criterion 2: Significant contribution
Tell us about:
- contributions you made to the Learn Local sector in 2023 and the positive impacts that these contributions had on learners
- how you go ‘above and beyond’ to ensure learners develop the skills they need for study, work and life
- any new innovations, new or revised ACFE Board-funded training and/or programs, new approach to engaging learners or improving professional practice
- any long-lasting impacts of your contributions within the Learn Local provider, the local community and/or the Learn Local sector.
Criterion 3: Positive outcomes achieved by learners that can be attributed to the nominee
Tell us about:
- positive outcomes achieved by learners which can be attributed to the leadership of the nominee. How will this leadership continue in the next 12 months?
Guiding questions:
- Describe the type of learner outcomes this person has helped create and lead.
- How do they support learners to connect with community, further education, or employment opportunities which demonstrate strong leadership.
- Describe how this person exemplifies being a ‘role-model’ for the sector.
For Learn Local programs
There are four award categories for Learn Local programs in 2024.
- Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Award (For small providers)
- Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Award (For large providers)
- Victorian Learn Local Innovation Award
- Victorian Learn Local Partnership Award
Learn Local program categories
Overview
These two awards recognise the outstanding ACFE Board-funded pre-accredited programs (Learn Local courses) that are delivered by the Learn Local sector. Each of the two awards celebrates a Learn Local provider depending on their size. The two awards share eligibility criteria, nomination requirements and selection criteria.
The winning Learn Local program will be a pre-accredited program that can demonstrate the creation of pathways for learners to further education, training and/or employment (paid or volunteer), because of their participation in the program.
The program will demonstrate the calibre of programs that the Learn Local sector delivers and its expertise in supporting learners to engage or re-engage with learning and develop the core skills they need for study, work and life.
It will be an exemplar of an approach to program development, design and/or delivery that reflects the particular pedagogy and approaches that characterise the work of the Learn Local sector.
The winner of this award in both the small and large provider categories will receive $10,000. Up to three remaining finalists for this award in both the small and large provider categories will each
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for clear and relevant examples of the pre-accredited program. A key emphasis of this award is pathways to further employment, study, or volunteer work, so these should be clearly referenced and quantified with precise data.
Nominations are encouraged to use precise language: short, succinct and factual statements with dot points to provide evidence. Testimonials from learners, trainers and other community partners or organisations can help support your nomination.
Make sure you tell a positive story about your organisation and the program being delivered and how it supports learners to find pathways to further opportunities.
Here are some of the judging comments from last year’s Awards. These may help you in preparing your nomination.
'Highly individualised to respond to learners needs.Positive outcomes are evident and showing success of the bespoke design flexibility.'
'…lacking important information about what the learners did to engage in a meaningful way in their community.'
'Supports vulnerable cohorts to re-engage and succeed. Redesigning the program based on previous feedback on course length and content has helped identify new pathways for learners.'
Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Award – For small providers Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Award – For large providers To apply for this award category, the nominated program must:
- be an ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program (Learn Local course)
- have delivered a substantial amount of the program between 1 January and 31 December 2023
- have been delivered by a small Learn Local provider that is currently registered with the ACFE Board. For the purposes of this award, a ‘small provider’ is defined as a registered Learn Local provider that was allocated fewer than 10,000 pre-accredited training delivery hours in 2023 (as of 31 Dec 2023*) AND also has an organisation total income/revenue of $750,000 or less.
To apply for this award category, the nominated program must:
- be an ACFE Board funded pre-accredited program (Learn Local course)
- have delivered a substantial amount of the program between 1 January and 31 December 2023
- have been delivered by a large Learn Local provider that is currently registered with the ACFE Board. For the purposes of this award, a ‘large provider’ is defined as a registered Learn Local provider that was allocated more than 10,000 pre-accredited training delivery hours in 2023 (as of 31 Dec 2023) AND also has an organisation total income/revenue of $750,000 or more.
Note: If you are applying for one of these sub-categories, please attach a copy of your most recent Annual Financial Report. An online link is also suitable.
The program can be run in partnership with other organisations but must be led by the nominated Learn Local provider.
Nominees will be asked to provide these details in response to several eligibility questions at the start of the nomination for on Award Force, but this will not count toward the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must also agree to the Conditions of Entry.
*Allocated pre-accredited training delivery hours data for 2023 (as of 31 Dec 2023) will be used to check eligibility of nominations throughout the judging process.
What you’ll need to apply
There are three parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit.
- brief introduction
- when the program was delivered in 2023
- how long the program was been running
- how ACFE Board funding contributed to this pre-accredited program
- the program’s main activities
- the learner group(s) the program targets
- how many learners in total participated in the program.
- Responses to the selection criteria – 500-word limit for each response.
- Supporting evidence – up to 10 pages. Attachments may include:
- documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the nominee’s achievements
- curriculum
- A-Frames
- course plans
- learner or trainer testimonials or images.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than five minutes) to support your nomination.
Selection criteria - Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Awards
Criterion 1: Supporting learner pathways
Tell us about:
- How the provider has developed learner pathways through successful program activities and training approaches, ensuring success for learners
- The outcomes learners have achieved because of the program, whether in further education, paid employment or volunteer roles. Be specific in your response, providing numbers to quantify outcomes.
- At least two examples of pathways learners have developed through their participation in the program. This can be done by outlining the learner’s journey.
Criterion 2: Effectiveness of teaching and learning
Tell us about:
- How the provider has developed learner pathways through successful program activities and approaches, ensuring success for learners.
- How the provider’s use of creative activities and approaches has supported learner pathways. The provider can also reflect on how it has adapted strategies implemented elsewhere to achieve solutions locally.
- What aspects make the program exemplary?
Criterion 3: Linkages and partnerships
Tell us about:
- The program’s connections beyond the classroom and how these connections have contributed to creating strong learner pathways.
- organisation, external organisations, business, and industry (whether individuals or groups).
- How the program engages with the community and supports learners to engage with the community.
Overview
This award recognises innovative solutions that have been developed by a registered Learn Local provider in response to a local training challenge or community need. The innovative solution could be a new or revised ACFE Board funded program, project or activity*.
The innovative solution will demonstrate how the Learn Local sector provides flexible, innovative, quality, and tailored training that meets the needs of learners in their community. It will highlight how Learn Local providers think laterally and innovatively to enable learners to develop their skills for study, work and life.
The innovative solution will be learner focused and may have required the Learn Local provider to change the way they usually worked to ensure they could meet the local training challenge or community need.
Examples of this local training challenge or community need may include, but are not limited to, natural disasters like bushfires or floods, remote and rural learning, or other relevant challenges.
The winner of this award will receive $10,000. Up to three remaining finalists for this award will each receive $1,000.
The main difference between this award category and the ‘Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Award’ category is that the innovative solution developed for this award category must have been in response to a local training challenge or community need. The emphasis of this award category is on how the organisation developed and implemented the innovative solution to benefit their community and the corresponding impact.
*‘Activity’ includes all other ‘appropriate activities in support of pre-accredited training’ as listed in the Learn Local Guidelines for Pre-accredited Training Funding and Delivery for Term 2, Term 3 and Term 4 2023.
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for a clear description of the local training challenge or community need that led to the innovative solution’s development. The judges will pay regard to evidence of how you came up with the innovative solution and its impact on learners.
Using precise language, short succinct factual statements, and dot points to provide your evidence is advised. Testimonials from learners, trainers and other community partners or organisations may also help support your nomination.
Here are some of the judging comments from last year’s ‘Victorian Learn Local Creating Local Solutions Award’. These may help you in preparing your nomination.
'This is an outstanding program meeting the complex and considerable learning needs of the women participants. It is innovative, practical, learner focused with significant outcomes for the women involved.'
'Two very strong features of this program are the comprehensive structure of the program and the level of engagement of the partners. Each of the program components reflects the research done initially about the needs of the industry.'
'…it is not clear why this training is best delivered through pre-accredited provision… the scale or scope of partnership other than through location is well explained.'
Eligibility
To apply for this award category, the nominated innovative solution (i.e., new or revised ACFE Board funded program, project or activity) must:
- be funded by the ACFE Board (i.e. pre-accredited training, Learner Engagement A-Frame Program, Family Learning Partnership, Capacity and Innovation Fund project or other ‘appropriate activities in support of pre-accredited training’ as listed in the Learn Local Guidelines for Pre-accredited Training Funding and Delivery for Term 2, Term 3 and Term 4 2023.
- have delivered a substantial amount of the innovative solution during 2023 and the Learn Local provider must have been registered with the ACFE Board at the time it was delivered.
- have been developed or modified in response to a specific training challenge or community need that occurred during 2023.
Nominees will be asked to provide these details in response to several eligibility questions at the start of the nomination on Award Force, but this will not count toward the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must agree to the Conditions of Entry.
What you’ll need to apply
There are three parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit includes a brief introduction:
- the name of the innovative solution (this can be a name made up for the purposes of this award nomination)
- when it was delivered in 2023
- how ACFE Board funding contributed to this innovative solution.
- Responses to the selection criteria – 500-word limit for each response.
- Supporting evidence – up to 10 pages. Attachments may include:
- documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the nominee’s achievements
- curriculum
- A-Frames, course plans
- learner or trainer testimonials or images.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than 5 minutes) to support your nomination. or a computer.
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Responding to a local training challenge or community need
Tell us about:
- the local training challenge or community need
- how the LL program, project or activity was developed, for example how it identified the local training challenge or community need, and what steps the provider took to create and then implement the innovative solution.
Criterion 2: Commitment to learner needs
Tell us about:
- how the innovative solution has a core focus on learners
- how learners have been affected by the local training challenge or community need
- which learners and learner groups are involved in the innovative solution
- how the innovative solution involves learners, meets their needs, and prioritises their engagement in and/or completion of an ACFE Board funded training program.
Criterion 3: Outcomes and achievements
Tell us about:
- what the innovative solution has achieved, including evidence of these outcomes and achievements
- how many learners in total were positively impacted by the innovative solution
- plans that are in place for the innovative solution for the next 12 months
- in what ways will the innovative solution influence future decisions across the rest of the organisation?
Overview
This award recognises a partnership between a Learn Local provider and at least one other organization, which has resulted in improved learner pathways from ACFE Board funded pre-accredited training to accredited training and/or work.
By working together to achieve a shared goal, it is anticipated that some of the collaborating parties will have changed the way they usually work to ensure the success of the partnership, leading to demonstrable achievements and training impacts.
The sustainability of the partnership will be evident from the plans that are in place for the future as well as an indication of how the partnership could be replicated or adopted in other settings.
The partnership will demonstrate how Learn Local providers and other organisations/sectors can work together to improve pathway opportunities for learners.
The main difference between this award category and the ‘Victorian Learn Local Pre-accredited Program Award’ and the ‘Victorian Learn Local Innovation Award’ categories is that the emphasis of this award category is on the partnership between the Learn Local provider and other organisation/s, not a particular project or program.
The winner of this award will receive $10,000 (to be shared by all parties). Up to three remaining finalists for this award will each receive $1,000 (to be shared by all parties).
What the judges are looking for
The judges are looking for a clear and well-referenced description of the way two or more organisations are working together to deliver improved pathways through training.
Make sure you tell a positive story of the partnership, why it was developed, how it continues to function and what the future holds for the partnership. A good nomination will give equal weighting to the contributions of each partner.
Using precise language, short succinct factual statements, and dot points to provide your evidence is acceptable. Testimonials from learners, trainers and other community partners or organisations also help support your nomination.
Here are some of the judging comments from last year’s Awards. These may help you in preparing your nomination.
'What is impressive is the ways that the value proposition of working together seems to be demonstrated by different kinds of voluntary participation by different stakeholders.'
'Very well structured with a formal MOU and responsive to local changing needs. Very good understanding of mutual benefits that all organisations seek.'
'This is a really strong collaboration initiative that meets an obvious gap in pathway support for young adults with a disability, and the variety of initiatives under way to create new learning and work environments, and the offer to share with other Learn Locals, is impressive.'
Eligibility
To apply for this award category, the nominated partnership must:
- include one or more
aLearn Local provider/s currently registered with the ACFE Board and at least one other organisation (e.g., a TAFE institute, a business etc) - have been developed to improve pathways from ACFE Board funded pre-accredited training to accredited training and/or work.
The nominated Learn Local provider does not have to have been the lead on the partnership (if there was a lead).
Nominees will be asked to provide these details in response to several eligibility questions at the start of the nomination for on Award Force, but this will not count toward the word count of their responses to the selection criteria.
Nominees and nominators must also agree to the Conditions of Entry.
What you’ll need to apply
There are three parts to your application:
- Overview – 100-word limit (includes a brief introduction – the name of the partnership (this can be a name made up for the purposes of this award nomination), how and why the partnership began and if it has ended, who is involved in the partnership, how ACFE Board funding contributed to this partnership, and evidence of a Memorandum of Understanding, or other documentation which highlights the partnership between the Learn Local provider and other organisation/s).
- Responses to the selection criteria – 500-word limit for each response
- Supporting evidence - documents and/or letters of reference as evidence of the nominee’s achievements. Attachments may include curriculum, A-Frames, course plans, learner or trainer testimonials or images. There is a limit of 10 pages of supporting evidence allowed per nomination.
Optional
- You may also include a single video (less than 5 minutes) to support your nomination. or a computer
Selection criteria
Criterion 1: Approach to the partnership
Tell us about:
- how all parties involved make sure they are working together and contributing significantly to improve pathways from pre-accredited training to accredited training and/or work and achieve any other shared goals of the partnership
- how the Learn Local provider has adopted new ways of working and collaborating for the partnership to be a success and how it has translated these new ways of working into other parts of the organisation’s work
- if there were any risks that came up as a result of the partnership and, if so, how they were managed appropriately.
Criterion 2: Achievements and training impacts
Tell us about:
- ways in which the partnership has accomplished its objectives, especially in relation to addressing key barriers/obstacles/challenges (e.g. for learners, for partners etc.)
- the benefits to enhancing/developing training approaches achieved through the partnership
- how learners and other parties involved (e.g., the community and industry) have benefited from the training outcomes of the partnership
- any other broader positive impacts of the partnership.
Criterion 3: Sustainability of the collaboration
Tell us about:
- the plans that are in place for the partnership for the next 12 months.
- how the partnership could be replicated or adopted in other settings.
- any other ways that the partnership is sustainable (even if it has ended).
- include one or more
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