Growing Pre-accredited Research Trial
Expression of Interest
The ACFE Board is seeking Expressions of Interest from Learn Local organisations wanting to
develop and trial new approaches to delivering pre-accredited training.
The approaches will address current barriers in three identified research areas to test if the new
approaches increase engagement, participation and completion of pre-accredited training.
The ACFE Board is funding the trials to support the expansion of pre-accredited training,
explore new delivery approaches and gather knowledge about how to address current barriers.
The trials will run until the end of 2015 and focus on small scale approaches which have
the potential to be replicated by other Learn Local organisations.
The outcomes and evidence gathered will be used to inform future pre-accredited
delivery.
BACKGROUND
Victoria’s population is undergoing unprecedented change with population expansion in some
areas and decline in others. Being able to respond to these changes and the resulting impact on
the needs of learners is a key challenge over the coming years.
The ACFE Board, in recognition of these changing social and economic circumstances, has
committed to providing $2.5 million via the Growing Pre-accredited Project to oversee an additional
contracting round and a research trial.
The project is designed to expand pre-accredited training by increasing training availability as well
as developing and trialing new approaches to deliver pre-accredited training.
OBJECTIVES
The research trial’s objectives are to:
 develop and trial approaches to address barriers in three research areas;
 gather evidence to inform the development of pre-accredited delivery;
 increase delivery, student engagement, participation and pathways to further education
and training.
The Growing Pre-accredited Research Trial focuses on trialling new approaches to deliver preaccredited training. Approaches will address some of the barriers which currently limit Learn Local
organisations’ capacity to expand their delivery of pre-accredited training and to address specific
learner needs.
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RESEARCH TRIAL
The Research Trial will allow Learn Local organisations to develop possible new approaches to
delivering pre-accredited training. These approaches will address barriers and trial how they
affect learner participation, engagement, retention and completion rates for pre-accredited
training.
Learn Local organisations participating in the trials will receive funds to support training delivery
at the current rate ($7.19 per SCH), and can submit a budget for any additional funds needed to
meet the costs specifically related to trialling the approach.
Learn Local organisations are invited to submit Expression of Interest outlining an approach to
be developed and trialled in one of the following research areas:
1. Reaching learners in isolated or declining populations
2. Working with learners with multiple or complex needs
3. Engaging disadvantaged learners
More details and examples of possible approaches are in the section headed ‘Research Areas’’
Participating in the trial will mean you need to:
1. Decide which research areas are most relevant to the barriers you experience engaging
more learners in pre-accredited training.
2. Develop the approach and write it up as an Expression of Interest using the template on
page 6 (including identifying what and how much pre-accredited training you are planning
to deliver). Include any additional funding required in the budget section of the Expression
of Interest.
3. Complete and submit the Growing Pre-accredited Research Trial Delivery Plan Template
and A-frame Course Plan.
4. Deliver the pre-accredited training and report the activity through SVTS.
5. Complete a research trial report (a template will be provided) and contribute to an
evaluation of the project.
RESEARCH AREAS
The three research areas are based on feedback from Learn Local organisations about current
issues and perceived barriers which prevent them from expanding or stimulating learner
engagement, participation and completion rates.
1. Reaching learners in isolated or declining populations
Learn Local organisations often know of potential pre-accredited learners who can’t access
programs because of distance from the provider, lack of transport or some other isolating
factor. Many Learn Local organisations identify the cost of taking provision to the learner as
a barrier to delivering training to this learner group.
Learn Local organisations offering programs in smaller and isolated rural towns or in areas
with declining populations often have a limited number of potential learners to draw on and
may find it necessary to cancel programs due to insufficient enrolments. Where this
happens, community confidence in the organisation and its reputation can be damaged and
the viability of the service may be undermined or threatened.
Similarly, organisations in larger communities attempting to meet highly specific needs may
struggle to put together a viable group of learners to run a class.
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Trials in this research area will trial different ways to support delivery to learners isolated by
their location.
Examples of approaches which might be tested include:
 blended mode delivery (teacher directed and self-directed) that reduces teaching costs
 multi-site or multi-organisation delivery that combines smaller groups
 providing transport
 providing training at a workplace for employees working rotating shifts
 developing resources and delivering training online.
The outcomes may include:
 better information about costs and benefits of this approach
 a delivery approach which could be replicated in other locations
 increase in learner participation and retention rates
 learner barriers such as geographic, infrastructure and transport issues are addressed
 maintenance of provision in regional and rural areas.
2. Working with learners with complex or multiple needs
Not being able to work with learners whose personal circumstances or educational
backgrounds mean they need extra or specialist support before, during or after a program.
This limits Learn Local organisations’ capacity to increase pre-accredited provision in their
local area.
Trials related to this research area will test the impact that providing supports and using
different delivery methods have on participation, retention and the outcomes of preaccredited programs.
Examples of approaches which might be trialled include:
 team teaching
 individual personal support (e.g. Auslan interpreter)
 additional individualised tutorial support
 mentoring and support transitioning to further education or employment
 using specialist facilities to increase the range of programs that can be delivered
 putting together suites of shorter programs which can combine to form a pathway.
The outcomes may include:
 a delivery approach which could be replicated with other learner groups
 increase in learner participation and retention rates among highly disadvantaged
learners
 learner barriers such as prior educational attainment, health or disability are mitigated
 improved transition from pre-accredited training to other education and employment
 better information about costs and benefits of these supports.
3. Engaging disadvantaged learners
Learn Local organisations often have limited resources with which to promote their
programs and services to engage new learners or learners from groups who are not
participating. It can be hard to use the more intensive strategies that are needed to stimulate
interest and engagement among disadvantaged or hard to reach learners such as those
who are newly arrived, have family or work commitments.
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Examples of approaches that might be trialled include:
 additional and targeted marketing and promotion of the trial programs (compared with
other pre-accredited programs)
 employing a learner engagement worker to implement an engagement plan
 a referral system with local support services
 developing and delivering shorter programs of less than 20 hours
 delivering training on weekends or after hours
 putting together suites of shorter programs which can combine to form a pathway.
The outcomes may include:
 improved understanding of effective strategies for engaging hard to reach groups
 increased engagement and participation rates
 information on costs and benefits
 an approach that can be replicated in other organisations.
ELIGIBILITY
All registered Learn Local organisations are eligible to apply.
FUNDING & REPORTING
What will be funded:
 Subsidy for delivery of Pre-accredited delivery
 Costs directly associated with trialling the outlined approach.
 Approaches that meet trial outcomes.
What will not be funded?
 Capital works
 Ongoing accommodation or related costs
 Equipment or materials not directly linked to the achievement of project outcomes
 Training which is assessed for the purpose of an award or credit
 Training which is marketed as accredited training
 Training which is linked in reporting to a Training Package Qualification or a nationally
recognised accredited module or course by use of a nationally recognised accredited
course or module code.
How will payments be made?
 The first payment of 80 per cent of the total will be paid on commencement of
the project.
 The second and final payment will be conditional on approval of the final report.
How long can a project run?
Learn Local organisations can determine the length of time the approach will take to test
but the research trial must be completed by the end of 2015. No extensions will be
granted.

The start date will be the date of receipt of the commencement payment from the
ACFE Board.

The final reporting template for the project must be submitted within the
stipulated timeframe in 2015. Payments will be withheld if this requirement is not
met
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Reporting requirements
Formalised reporting is required:
 Information will be required to be entered into SVTS using the new code
‘RT’ to signify the Research Trial and ensuring it follows the guidelines on
pages 17 and 18 of the 2015 ACFE Board Pre-accredited Training
Delivery Guide.
 A final reporting template is to be completed at the conclusion of the project and
before final receipt of payment.
 Participation in a formalised Evaluation process (funded by DET).
SELECTION CRITERIA
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA
Weighting
(%)
1. The approach responds to an identified barrier
30
2. The application identifies how project outcomes will be
achieved.
25
3. The training program will contribute to increased engagement,
participation and pathways into further training or employment.
25
4. The application provides evidence of capacity to achieve project
outcomes and deliver quality training
20
APPLICATION PROCESS
1. Complete Expression of Interest form (see page 6)
2. Complete Growing Pre-accredited Research Trial Delivery Plan Template and an Aframe course plan.
3. Submit by email to mcnamara.kylie.k@edumail.vic.gov.au by COB 13 March 2015.
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RESEARCH TRIAL EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FORM
Organisation Name
Contact person
Phone number
Postal address
LGA of delivery
Research Area
Learner cohort
Description of proposed
approach
Description
of
the
outcomes to be achieved
Outline how
address the
criteria
you will
selection
Total SCH
BUDGET
Please use the table below to include any additional funds needed to meet the costs specifically
related to trialling the approach.
Item
ACFE Board
Provided $
Learn Local provided $
Eg: staffing,
equipment
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Total
DECLARATION
I confirm that:
 The information contained in this application is true and correct. I understand that the
information provided in this application and any subsequent project report may be used by
DET for assessment and reporting purposes.
Signature…………………………………………………..
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
The Application Form and Delivery Plan should be emailed to Kylie McNamara, Senior Project
Officer, ACFE Board Secretariat at mcnamara.kylie.k@edumail.vic.gov.au
Expressions of Interest are due by COB 13 March 2015.
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