Annual Report 2006 - TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute

Our Customers – Exceeding ExpectationsOutcomes and Initiatives for Students with a Disability(SWD)NSI recruited two new teacher consultants, specialising inhearing impairment and psychiatric disability, to furthersupport students and help the growing number of studentsreporting serious psychological difficulties.In 2006 NSI teacher consultants expanded a project thatfocused on ‘hidden disabilities’. The consultants developed aDVD and online resources to help teachers provide learningand assessment strategies for students with mental healthissues. They also trained customer service staff, providingthem with appropriate strategies to meet the needs ofthese customers.In 2006 NSI developed and delivered the Mental Health FirstAid Course, a program to help staff to support students andcolleagues who may have metal health issues.NSI teacher consultants provided training workshops forinstitute managers, teachers and non educational staff,focusing on removing the attitudinal, communication andphysical barriers that impact on students with a disabilityand the development of skills to help these customers. Astaff-development resource titled the ‘NSI Note-TakersManual’ was updated to include strategies for use withstudents who have psychiatric or learning disabilities.NSI conducted workshops for students with AutismSpectrum Disorder, focusing on developing communicationand social skills.Outcomes and Initiatives for the Unemployed andMature AgeNSI commenced delivery of a Certificate II in ComputerApplications through the VET Priority Places Program, whichis designed to increase VET opportunities for low-incomeearners who have a disability, are mature-aged, or areparents reentering the workforce.The Institute was successful in obtaining NSW Boardof Vocational Education and Training (BVET) EmergingPriorities Funding to deliver training that targeted matureage people (aged 45–65) in a range of areas, includingretail, educational support, computing, financial services,children services, aged care and trades.Several Basic IT Enabling Skills courses for mature workerswere conducted, including an extension course thatresulted in completion of the Certificate I in InformationTechnology.Under the Partnering –Training for Older Workers funding,NSI delivered training courses to two groups of unemployedor mature age workers in the Certificate III in Aged Care andAccess to Nursing.During 2006, NSI expanded provision of the Pathwaysto Employment Education and Training (PEET) program,focusing on literacy, numeracy and employability skills tomaximise participation and employment outcomes for theunemployed.A new model for providing support to TVET students witha disability, and enhancing collaboration with regionalschools, was developed. This model was based on astandardised reporting form to help with equity placementand ensure consistency in the provision of support. In 2006,135 TVET school students were supported by NSI teacherconsultants.A group of deaf and hearing-impaired students undertookan innovative program titled ‘Introduction to Film Making’,in which they learned basic film-making skills. They alsoproduced a short film titled ‘The Find’ which was launchedin the Director’s Suite at Fox Studios. This film will be enteredin Tropfest 2007.Teacher consultants participated in several communityexpositions that promoted vocational training and supportservices for people with mental-health issues, joining forceswith Club Speranza and Northern Area Health.TAFE NSW - Northern Sydney Institute