Study Grants for Professional Development for Careers Practitioners

What are the study grants?

The Department is offering 96 Study Grants to Victorian careers practitioners for completion of a Graduate Certificate in Career Development in 2012. The aim of the Study Grants is to increase the number of qualified Victorian career practitioners assisting young people with their career development and pathway planning. Study Grants are available for Graduate Certificate in Career Development courses at the Australian Catholic University, RMIT University and Swinburne University.

The Study Grants are part of the Improved Career Development Services suite of initiatives within the National Partnership on Youth Attainment and Transitions, a joint initiative of the Australian and State and Territory Governments. The Partnership aims to increase participation of young people in education and training, increase attainment levels, and improve successful transitions from school.

More study grants will be available in 2013.

For more information about the Partnership see Youth Attainment and Transitions National Partnership

Who can apply?

The eligibility to apply for a Study Grant in the 2012 intake has been expanded.  To be eligible for this intake, applicants must be:

• Careers practitioners from all schools (government, Catholic and Independent), ACE, TAFE and Youth Connections providers who are providing career advice and support to young people, or
• Local Learning and Employment Network (LLEN) staff who can demonstrate that completion of the course will enhance their capacity to deliver on their strategic plan and contribute to the career development agenda, or
• DEECD Koorie Engagement Support Officers KESOs (up to ten places are available to this group state-wide) or
• Staff employed in Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) who undertake career development activities with young people enrolled in courses at the RTO.

If there are any remaining places after suitable applicants from these groups have been exhausted, applications from individuals in the categories below will also be considered:

• Careers practitioners holding a Certificate IV in Career Development or training from the Australian Career Development Studies (ACDS), or
• DEECD regional office staff who are involved in work which would be enhanced by specific knowledge of career development theory and practice, or
• School Officers and Educational Consultants in Independent Schools in Victoria, or
• School Officers Level 6 and School Officers Level 7 in Catholic Schools in Victoria.

In all cases, eligible applicants will have to:

• demonstrate that they are either working directly in the career development area or will be in the near future (verified by their Principal/Organisation Manager), and
• have ongoing employment or fixed-term employment in a school/organisation beyond completion of the qualification (verified by their Principal/Organisation Manager), and
• identify how completion of the Study Grant could improve career development outcomes for young people in their school/organisation and enhance a whole school/organisation approach to career development, and
• include letters from their Principal/Organisation Manager confirming their support for the practitioner to undertake the program of study.

What support is available?

In the 2012 Study Grant intake, the Department will contribute up to $4800 towards the fees charged by the tertiary provider to complete a Graduate Certificate in Career Development. These payments are made directly to the course provider.

The Department will also pay up to $750 for the costs of replacement staff to cover an applicant’s involvement in coursework (proof of payments will be required).

Schools/organisations or participants will be expected to meet any other costs, such as additional course costs (if applicable), travel and extra replacement staff, which may be required.

Participants will be expected to meet all costs arising from any changes to enrolment, after seeking permission from the Department to modify the agreed enrolment.

How do I apply?

All applicants must attend a Study Grants information session, either in person OR online, prior to applying.

The session will include:

• information about the Study Grants and requirements
• details on how to apply online - including a username and password
• short presentations by current students outlining their experiences in the course.

This process will ensure applicants are fully aware of the requirements of the course, and will enable applicants to select the course which best suits their needs.

 

Face-to-face Study Grants information session

• Monday 5 September 2011, 4.30pm – 5.30pm
• Graduate House, 220 Leicester Street, Carlton
• To register for this information session, please email admin@ceav.vic.edu.au

 

Online Study Grants information session

• Tuesday 6 September 2011, 4.30pm – 5.30pm through Elluminate (Please note: this is the direct link to the Elluminate session, however you will not be able to connect to the session until 60 minutes prior to its scheduled start time)

For those who are unable to attend the face-to-face or online session, the online session will be recorded and accessible after the session through Career Education Association of Victoria (CEAV)

You will need a microphone headset for the Elluminate session. To prepare for the Elluminate session, see Virtual Conference Centre - Getting Started

Application forms will be available online. The applicant must provide all of the information required and obtain a signed written Statement of Support from their Principal/Manager. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants will be sent a confirmation email when a complete application is submitted.

Applications must be completed by COB Wednesday 12 October 2011.

Successful applicants will be notified by 7 November 2011.

How are applications assessed?

Applications will be assessed on three selection criteria. Applicants will have to:

• describe how their Study Grant will enhance career development outcomes for young people in their school/organisation
• describe how their Study Grant will enhance a whole-school/organisation approach to career development
• explain how they will share their learnings from the Study Grant to improve career development outcomes for young people in their school/organisation and their wider career networks.

How are study grants allocated?

A selection panel will consider all applications for the Study Grants on the basis of applicants meeting eligibility requirements and their written responses to the selection criteria in an online application form.

How do I find out more?

The 2012 Study Grant intake is administered by the Career Education Association of Victoria (CEAV). For further information contact CEAV on (03) 9810 6400 or admin@ceav.vic.edu.au

Timeline

Online applications open on Wednesday 7 September 2011 and close COB Wednesday 12 October 2011.