Services
The services provided to members include:
Governance Advice
Victoria's TAFE Institute Boards have been vested with significant autonomy and accountability. To help Boards adopt and maintain world best practice in this area the VTA has published two detailed best practice manuals, Excellence in Governance (PDF version only), and A Guide to the Responsible Governance of Victoria's TAFE Institutes.
Click here to go to the Governance Resource Manuals page.
Workforce Relations Advice
The VTA is able to offer valuable support to Members in the human resources area. We assist Institutes with specific issues and provide advice and help to develop employee relations strategies. Related services include advice on staff contracts and staff development, strategic advice on industrial relations matters, and assistance in negotiating with unions and dealing with unfair dismissals.
Regular HR Network Meetings and HR Seminars are part of the Associations professional development program. Workshops are designed to meet the individual needs and concerns of our Members.
The Manual for Best Practice in Employee Relations provides Institute Councils, CEO's, Human Resource staff and line managers with an invaluable tool to implement best practice employee relations/industrial relations practices.
Please see Links for Workforce Development & Employment Relations.
Industrial Relations Advice and Representation
The VTA is recognised for its accomplished advocacy before the Australian Industrial Relations Commission and its skills in the resolution of industrial disputes at Institute level. We offer a flexible approach that ensures that the needs and interests of Members as a whole are met, while allowing for the specific needs of individual Institutes.
Education Projects/Research Work
As the peak employer body for members, the Association represents members in a variety of educational settings. In particular the VTA provides advice in relation to the development of courses relevant to the TAFE professional workforce, initiates reforms to improve educational outcomes in VET and seeks to link members to educational opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. The VTA Secretariat is guided by the members in initiating discussion papers and position papers for circulation to the broader educational community.
Government Liaison and Representation
The VTA is called on to respond to reviews of current educational policy, legislative frameworks and procedural matters. The VTA responds to relevant Parliamentary committees both at the State and Federal levels.
Professional Development
The Victorian TAFE Association conducts regular events,
seminars, meetings and conferences throughout the year. Regular meetings and
seminars are part of the VTA's professional development program. All of our
meetings and seminars are designed to meet the individual needs and concerns
of our Members and are held at venues in Melbourne and regional areas. They
are held exclusively for our Members.
Media Relations
The Association maintains contact with education editors and writers with the major daily newspapers and 'Campus Review', the national tertiary education newspaper, as well as with local and regional radio, providing comment on topical TAFE/VET matters as they arise.
Meeting Room Availability
The VTA has large boardroom and small meeting room facilities available for members' use. There is also an e-linked office. We can offer members a central and 'neutral' meeting & office facility to ensure your time in the CBD can be efficiently and fruitfully spent. Please contact the VTA on 03 9639 8100 for further information or to make a booking.
You are welcome to call into our office, which is open Monday to Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm.
Important: Institute membership fees cover each of these services (a small Registration Fee is payable for some seminars). Unlike many other employer associations, no additional fees are charged for employee and industrial relations services.
Page reviewed 15 January 2009