PAPER: 026/09 (e) ITEM: 4.1 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING COMMITTEE WORKING GROUP – TERMS OF REFERENCE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT 1. TITLE OF WORKING GROUP Business Development Working Group 2. POLICY REFERENCE The Vocational Education and Training Committee (“The Committee”) is a Standing Committee of the Academic Board (“The Board”). The Committee is authorised by the Board to create sub-committees and working parties and other such consultative mechanisms to progress its business. 3. RATIONALE A Working Group is needed to promote information sharing relating to VET business development activities, industry engagement and to support the schools and colleges in attaining and / or exceeding their revenue generation (profile) targets. The Business Development Working Group will: Provide oversight of VET business development activities across RMIT; and, Identify, discuss and promote innovative business development strategies and practices. The effects of market reform on vocational education and training will demand an enhanced capacity for collaboration and communication across the University. The shift from a supply to demand driven system will create new opportunities coupled with increased competition in an open marketplace. The Business Development Working Group will provide leadership, market intelligence and advice to the Schools and Colleges. The current practice and communication mechanisms relating to business development sit within the Schools and Colleges and are supported by the Office of the Director of TAFE and Global Business Development. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP Terms of Reference: Version 1.0 Page 1 of 3 4. PRACTICES: 4.1 Functions 4.1.1 Provide sound policy advice to the VET committee/community on matters pertaining to business development and industry engagement; 4.1.2 Provide feedback to the Global Business Development Network Group of new business development opportunities; 4.1.3 Advise on cross college / school communications related to both strategic and operational business development “information sharing”; 4.1.4 Oversight business development plans/strategies aligned to RMIT 2010 Designing the Future); 4.1.5 Together with Global Business Development provide advice on government and commercial opportunities; 4.1.6 Provide leadership and support on RMIT’s positioning in the marketplace Advise on workforce capacity and development needs in business development and industry engagement; and, 4.1.7 Benchmark our activities against comparable and overseas intuitions. 4.2 Membership 4.2.1 The membership of Business Development Working Group shall be confirmed and amended annually by the VET Committee and shall comprise: (a) Manager, New Industry Program (Office of the Director of TAFE); (b) Associate Director of Industry Engagement (Global Business Development); (c) One Principal Adviser Business Development, Industry Manager, or relevant officer from each of: Business TAFE School Art Design (TAFE) Creative Media Education Fashion and Textiles International Centre of Graphic Technology Property, Construction and Project Management Global Studies Aerospace, Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Life and Physical Sciences Infrastructure, Electrotechnology and Building Services 4.2.2 The Working Group may co-opt additional members to assist with specific matters and tasks. 4.2.3 The Manager of New Industry Programs will be the convener of the Working Group. BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP Terms of Reference: Version 1.0 Page 2 of 3 4.3 Meetings 4.3.1 The Convenor will: 4.3.2 Arrange suitable venues for meetings and ensure the timely communication of business to members; Report to the VET Committee on the activities of the Working Group and its contribution to the annual workplan of the Committee; Guide discussion during meetings, Ensure that agenda items are addressed; Ensure that clear actions and assigned responsibility for follow-through are agreed upon in relation to agenda items and that these are reported upon in future meetings; and, Ensure that a record of each meeting is maintained. Members will: Contribute to meetings; Report on business development activity in their School/College or relevant Unit; Undertake tasks between meetings as required to achieve the functions of the Working Group; Act as a communication point to their School or unit, to ensure that business development opportunities are communicated to the relevant staff in the School/College or Unit. GOVERNANCE: Version 1.0 Approval of VET Committee 23 April 2009 Comments Initial approval of Terms of Reference BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT WORKING GROUP Terms of Reference: Version 1.0 Page 3 of 3