VSA: International Skills Fellowship in Australia

Deadline: 3-Apr-23

The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) in partnership with the International Specialised Skills Institute (ISS Institute) are offering ten VET International Skills Fellowships in 2023 valued at $13,000 each.

The Victorian Skills Authority works in partnership with the International Specialised Skills Institute by funding the VSA International Skills Fellowship. The Fellowship program focuses on developing opportunities for building quality and excellence in the VET workforce.

The Victorian Skills Authority works in partnership with the International Specialised Skills Institute by funding the VET International Practitioner Fellowships. The Fellowship program focuses on developing opportunities within the VET sector to assist in building an Education State in Victoria that produces excellence and reduces the impact of disadvantage. In addition, the program is funded to support the priorities of Skills First, including developing capacity and capability, innovative training practices and increasing teacher quality within the VET sector as well as building industry capability and developing Victoria’s current and future workforce.

Priority Areas

Those eligible are invited to apply for a Fellowship that will support the continued development of a skilled Victoria with a focus on one of the following priority areas:
- Developing quality training with deep and meaningful connections to emerging or ongoing industry needs.
- Developing educational approaches that support inclusion and increase participation.
- Developing education and training that supports the skills needed for a clean economy.

What does a Fellowship involve?

Fellows must use their Fellowship payment to undertake applied international research overseas.
Overseas Fellowship research may include meeting knowledgeable leaders, conducting interviews, observation, immersion in workplaces, undertaking specialised training or attending a specialist conference.
Fellows must manage their Fellowship funds personally to arrange their travel and international activities.
Fellows must prepare a formal Fellowship report documenting findings and recommendations for addressing the identified priority area within 12 months of receiving their Fellowship. ISS Institute will assist with the editing, design and publication of this Fellowship report.
Fellows must participate in a Fellowship induction program and will be supported by ISS Institute staff throughout the Fellowship period (and beyond).
Fellows must arrange for time off work with their employer to undertake the overseas applied research component of their Fellowship. While the Fellowship is being awarded to the individual and not their employer, it is important that the employer supports the individual’s application and will support the individual to meet Fellowship obligations.
Fellows will be supported throughout their Fellowship by the ISS Institute team.
Fellows must develop local connections with the education sector in Victoria to ensure the knowledge being gained from the proposed Fellowship is being shared and/or applied within the education and training sector as well as relevant industries.
The Fellow must complete a minimum three dissemination sessions within three months of their report being printed.
The Fellow must agree (where practicable) to participate in speaking opportunities identified by the VSA, VDC (VET Development Centre) and/or the ISS Institute.

Funding Information

Fellowships in the amount of $13,000 each.

Eligibility Criteria

Victorian Residents with Australian Permanent Residency (PR) or Citizens over the age of 18.
The Fellowships are available to members of the Victorian VET Sector who are employed within Victorian Government contracted Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), including TAFEs, private RTOs and Adult, Community and
Further Education (ACFE) Board registered Learn Local Providers (LL providers). Fellowships are also available to VSA Industry Advisory Group members and their Executive Officers.

Conditions of Entry

A Fellowship application, including the attachments (curriculum vitae, two letters of support, one employer endorsement letter) must be received by the ISS Institute by the closing date.
The duration of the overseas applied research component varies depending on the aims of the Fellowship (but generally Fellows spend between two – four weeks overseas).
Successful applicants will enter into a contractual agreement with ISS Institute to ensure that all Fellowship requirements are met.
Fellows must prepare both a brief and a detailed Fellowship report outlining their international research, findings and recommendations.
The Fellowship, including publication of the final Fellowship report, must be completed within 12 months.
Fellows agree to disseminate their Fellowship learnings, findings and recommendations to peers, industry leaders and other relevant bodies and report back to the ISS Institute about these.
The Fellows agree to be ambassadors of ISS Institute throughout their Fellowship and into the future.
The Fellows agree to take part in periodic evaluation, generally via surveys, so they can capture the impact that a Fellowship has had at a personal, professional or industry level over time.
While Fellowship applicants can be undertaking tertiary studies, the Fellowship cannot be used to gain a tertiary qualification.
The selection panel’s decision is final and binding.
Unsuccessful Fellowship applicants are welcome to reapply for a Fellowship in the future.