eVALBEC May 2009
This is the electronic newsletter of VALBEC, the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council, and is sent to about 850 practitioners on the first of each month (other than January). It is also available in the ‘News’ section of our web site http://www.valbec.org.au
Disclaimer: The activities, goods and services mentioned in eVALBEC are not endorsed by VALBEC in any way. People should make their own judgment about the suitability of each item.
How to submit items:
http://www.valbec.org.au/05/news.htm
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IN THIS ISSUE OF eVALBEC:
1. ‘Navigating Laneways’ 2009 VALBEC Conference
2. Book launch ‘Reading The Fine Print’
3. Fine Print 2009 Teachers’ and Students’ Writing Issue
4. AGM & Twilight Forum
5. New Group - CGEA Champions
6. Deputy Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence now  open
7. Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in LL&N  
8. Review of TAA40104 Certificate IV Training and Assessment
9. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
10. Unsubscribe?
11. Contact VALBEC
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1. ‘Navigating Laneways’ 2009 VALBEC Conference
William Angliss Conference Centre, 555 La Trobe St Melbourne.
Thursday May 7 Preconference sessions 3.00 – 5.30pm
Friday, May 8 full day program 9.00 am – 5.00pm
Details and registration at http://www.valbec.org.au/conf09/reg.htm
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2. Book launch ‘Reading The Fine Print’
Thursday May 7, 6 pm at the William Angliss Conference Centre
Details at http://www.valbec.org.au/booklaunchinvite.htm
Rosie Wickert will launch 'Reading the Fine Print: A history of the Victorian Adult Literacy and Basic Education Council (VALBEC) 1978 – 2008' by Beverley Campbell.
The book will be on sale at the launch for $30
After the book launch you can pay and order online at www.valbec.org.au (live after the book launch)
Pre-payment or purchase order is required
Cost: $30 plus $10 postage and handling (in Australia)
Overseas and bulk purchase - email us for a price
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3. Fine Print 2009 Teachers’ and Students’ Writing Issue
The Fine Print editorial committee wants to celebrate the learning and insights of ALBE students and to celebrate the work of teachers through publishing their writing.
Students, we ask that you use the broad theme of “memory’, as an inspiration. This theme could include memories of people, places, life turning points, precious objects, holidays, emotions, or any significant event that you want to write about.
Both poetry and prose are welcome.
Teachers, we ask you to write about how you help your students with not only the processes and mechanics of writing but also how you inspire, build confidence, and help your students find a voice.
Submission Guidelines
Electronic texts only
Word limit for students 250 words
Word limit for teachers: between 250 and 500 words
Please include a title for the piece, your name, learning institution, and place where you live.
The editorial committee will select pieces that best fit the guidelines and represent a diversity of learners and teachers.
Please email all contributions to VALBEC at info@valbec.org.au
Deadline: June 19th, 2009
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4. AGM & Twilight Forum
Victoria University, Flinders Street Campus
Thursday June 18th 2009, 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Members and friends of VALBEC are invited to the Annual General Meeting of the Council that will be preceded by a Twilight Forum
Victoria University, City Flinders Campus,  300 Flinders Street, Level 9  Room C9.15
Map: http://www.vu.edu.au/campuses/city-flinders
A light supper will be provided
Twilight Forum
"Community Wide Study Circle Programs - Dialogue to Change"
Mark Brophy was awarded a Ph.D. from Victoria University for research into Swedish study circles, then under a Fulbright  visited Everyday Democracy in the US who use study circles to address issues such as race, terrorism, educational reform and interfaith tensions; often with hundreds and even thousands of participants. Mark consequently founded the Australian Study Circles Network which builds upon Swedish and US models.
Annual General Meeting
Reports on the 2008 VALBEC year will be presented and the new Executive committee will be elected.
The VALBEC committee is a dynamic and collaborative group who meet once a month to discuss, plan and take action on behalf of members and the ALBE field.
New members are welcome.         
Nomination forms http://www.valbec.org.au/05/docs/AGMnomforms.pdf
RSVP by June 14th 2009 info@valbec.org.au
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5. New Group - CGEA Champions
The CMM General Studies and Further Education has formed a group of ‘CGEA Champions’ to facilitate the capacity of providers to be involved in the implementation and review of the CGEA through the provision of professional development opportunities. The convenors of the group are Stephanie Goetze-Thies from Daylesford Neighbourhood Centre and Tim Morris from RMIT. Projected activities for the group include participation in a CGEA panel session at the upcoming VALBEC conference, review of the curriculum document, validation of assessment tools, and preparation for an ACFE funded CGEA Assessment PD Day to be held in September (Date TBC). For more information on any CGEA matters please contact the CMM – Nadia Casarotto and Liz Davidson sicmm.generalstudies@vu.edu.au Phone 9919 8327 (Liz) or 9919 8347 (Nadia).
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6. Deputy Prime Minister’s Awards for Excellence now  open
Minister for  Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, the Hon. Julia Gillard MP,  has opened the nominations for the 2009 Minister’s Awards for Excellence for  employers of apprentices in 22 regions across Australia.
The awards, supported by Skills  Australia, profile employers working in positive ways to retain employees;  particularly significant in times of economic difficulty. The awards also  demonstrate the commitment to investing in people and can position  organisations as innovators in a rapidly changing world.
Application forms http://www.australianapprenticeships.gov.au/
Applications close 11 May  2009.
Each regional winner receives $5000 prize money, a certificate and a  trophy. Enquiries to ministersawards@deewr.gov.au
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7. Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in LL&N
Two new qualifications- a Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diploma in LL&N are being developed by the Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) for LLN practitioners  delivering  to adults in and beyond the VET sector. The qualifications will be additions to the Training and Assessment Training Package (TAA). The Vocational Graduate Certificate has a teaching design and delivery focus and the Vocational Graduate Diploma a policy and research focus.
For a full explanation of Vocational Graduate Certificate and Vocational Graduate Diplomas in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) please visit http://www.aqf.edu.au/vgc_vgd.htm
IBSA is keen to gather feedback on the qualification structures and unit content which are now available for viewing at http://www.ibsa.org.au/content/currentprojects/Voc_Grad_LLN.html  until May 30 2009.
To provide feedback on the IBSA feedback register please select Review & Feedback Register on the IBSA page listed above.
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8. Review of TAA40104 Certificate IV Training and Assessment
A paper from Innovation & Business Skills Australia reviews the fitness for purpose of the Certificate IV in the TAA04 Training and Assessment Training Package and makes a series of recommendations as to ways in which it might be improved are outlined in the paper.
Proposed model for the entry level qualification and how to get involved in the consultation process at http://www.ibsa.org.au/content/currentprojects/TAA40104_Review.html/
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9. Subscribe to eVALBEC?
Click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Subscribe> and we’ll put you on the list to receive this monthly enewsletter.
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10. Unsubscribe?
Just click this link <mailto:info@valbec.org.au?subject=eVALBEC_Unsubscribe> (no typing required!) and hit Send or, send an e-mail with the word Unsubscribe in the subject.
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11. Contact VALBEC
eVALBEC is the monthly electronic newsletter of (VALBEC) the Victorian Adult Literacy  and Basic Education Council.
E-mail:
info@valbec.org.au
Web: http://www.valbec.org.au
Postal: Box 861 Springvale South VIC 3172
Ph: 03 9546 6892
Fax: 03 9546 0421