The college uses data to make projections about future areas of employment growth and to establish programs and partnerships that fit the predicted environment. For example, a predicted growth in employment has led the college to form a partnership with Caboolture Hospital. Regular reviews and student surveys are undertaken in order to ensure that programs are relevant and students are job ready. The college was required to undertake a rigorous benchmarking process associated with the Trades Centre which gave rise, in turn, to a series of stakeholder forums as a means to establish the community’s needs and the current and future employment markets. Three stakeholder forums have been held. Participants included representatives from local universities, other schools, parent and industry bodies, and employers. Local RTOs were also surveyed at the time. Since the early days the college has become focused on data. Collecting data started as a requirement of being an RTOs but the college now sees it as vital in order to track the quality of its programs and their outcomes. The college has documented its VET program in a similar to a business plan, identifying such ‘Blueprint’, things as the fundamental underpinning principals of the program. This makes review processes clearer since intentions have been documented. Many VET courses now have their own blueprints.
The college uses data to make projections about future areas of employment growth and to establish programs and partnerships that fit the predicted environment. For example, a predicted growth in employment has led the college to form a partnership with Caboolture Hospital. Regular reviews and student surveys are undertaken in order to ensure that programs are relevant and students are job ready. The college was required to undertake a rigorous benchmarking process associated with the Trades Centre which gave rise, in turn, to a series of stakeholder forums as a means to establish the community’s needs and the current and future employment markets. Three stakeholder forums have been held. Participants included representatives from local universities, other schools, parent and industry bodies, and employers. Local RTOs were also surveyed at the time. Since the early days the college has become focused on data. Collecting data started as a requirement of being an RTOs but the college now sees it as vital in order to track the quality of its programs and their outcomes. The college has documented its VET program in a ‘Blueprint’, similar to a business plan, identifying such things as the fundamental underpinning principals of the program. This makes review processes clearer since intentions have been documented. Many VET courses now have their own blueprints.
st-columban-s-college-qld.docx