VET E-portfolio Roadmap released

The VET E-portfolio Roadmap, a national strategic plan designed to support the diverse requirements for e-portfolios in vocational education and training (VET), was released today by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework).

Developed from extensive research and national stakeholder consultations, the Roadmap aims to assist in the development of a national standards-based framework to support the use of e-portfolios across VET.

E-portfolios have been identified as a key tool to support VET initiatives including:

• RPL (recognition of prior learning)
  
   
• fast tracking apprenticeships, traineeships and work-based learning
  
   
• reengagement, retention, reintegration and supporting learner mobility
  
   
• empowering learners.

The Roadmap outlines nine strategic goals with a focus on portability, verification, privacy, ownership, access control, infrastructure, storage, embedding and transitions, and will result in three key outputs for the sector:

1. National guidelines for VET managers of learner information.
   
    
2. Functional specifications for implementers and developers of e-portfolio tools and systems.
   
    
3. Strategies for embedding e-portfolios in VET.

The Framework's E-portfolios Business Manager, Allison Miller, realises that the continued uptake of e-portfolios in VET needs to be accompanied by professional development, adequate business structures and support.

“E-portfolios are becoming more and more popular, which makes developing a set of national standards, policies and business rules even more important. The Framework’s strategic approach to e-portfolios will help ensure e-portfolios provide efficiencies in supporting lifelong learning.

“The Framework will now work with teachers and trainers, registered training organisations, and learners as well as business, industry and e-portfolio developers to ensure a successful national roll-out of the Roadmap.”

People interested in joining the e-portfolio discussion can register to attend the Framework’s VET E-portfolios Showcase being held in Melbourne on 16 October 2009. This event will showcase the key work being done with e-portfolios in VET and will stimulate collaboration at a local and national level.

The full VET E-portfolio Roadmap is available on the Framework’s E-portfolios’ website: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/e-portfolios