NSW Department of Education and Training

TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute provided professional development activities to
127 staff members in 2008. The activities focussed on awareness of African cultures,
teaching strategies for culturally and linguistically diverse students, teaching in a
multicultural classroom, provision of customer service in a multicultural context and the
recognition of overseas qualifications for study in TAFE NSW.
TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney and Western Sydney Institutes delivered Teaching in the
Multicultural Classroom to 41 and 15 staff members respectively during the year.
Institutes employed relevant staff, including 13 multicultural education coordinators
(IMECS) in five Institutes, a Student Support Officer, African Communities at Hunter
Institute and multicultural contact officers in the TAFE NSW - Riverina and North Coast
Institutes to support students from non-English speaking backgrounds. These officers
contributed to Institute planning and evaluation activities, played key roles in programs
and initiatives enhancing awareness of vocational education and training and pathways,
supported student learning, built community capacity, promoted productive partnerships
with culturally and linguistically diverse communities and provided professional learning
programs for other staff.
TAFE NSW Institutes extended first language support to students, potential students and
other clients through implementation of the Community Language Allowance Scheme
(CLAS). In 2008, 71 CLAS recipients provided support in 24 languages other than
English at a total cost of $73, 556.
Institutes updated and distributed lists of bilingual staff with the requisite knowledge and
skills in their first language to support students and clients.
The TAFE NSW Multicultural Education Unit officers delivered professional development
to 250 Institute staff members on the recognition of overseas qualifications for study in
TAFE NSW. Officers also mentored 350 assessors to assist with requests related to the
assessment of complex overseas documents.
In addition the Unit provided on-line support and developed additional resources to assist
assessors with the identification and assessment of overseas documents for the
provision of recognition of prior learning. The Unit also provided support to TAFE NSW
Institute staff on request to assist in the implementation of policies, programs and
services for people from non-English speaking background.
In 2008, in response to stakeholder feedback as part of TAFE in the 21 st Century
consultations, TAFE NSW created a Social Inclusion and Vocational Access Unit to
provide equity services to TAFE NSW students. Roles and responsibilities of the TAFE
NSW Multicultural Unit will be absorbed into this new Unit. The new Unit will be fully
operational from 2009. It will include a senior specialist position, Manager Cultural
Diversity.
Community and Migrant Education
Adult Migrant English Service (AMES) staff participated in a range of activities aimed at
promoting cultural awareness, including professional development workshops in areas
such as new and emerging communities and cross-cultural issues and celebrations
during harmony Day, activities during Adult Learners Week and World Refugee Day.
Adult and Community Education (ACE) equity programs targeting migrants demonstrated
that relevant community consultation had occurred to determine the appropriate training
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