International Training Provider of the Year Award

Holmesglen has a proud 36-year history of delivering exceptional education and training. It has developed from a specialist provider for the building, construction and ceramics industries to one of Australia’s largest TAFE institutes.

Holmesglen started delivering courses for the international sector in the late 1980s.

Today, more than 23,000 learners study each year in 43 fields at senior-secondary, trade, vocational, and higher education levels.

VET learners at the institute range in age from 15 to more than 80 years old, from 160 countries and speaking 130 languages. International students represent 23 per cent of the total VET load at the institute and make a significant contribution to campus life.

Holmesglen TAFE’s international bachelor graduates report above national benchmarks for satisfaction and graduate outcomes to employment.

Its reputation for excellence in international education is well established and in 2017 the institute won the International Provider of the Year at these awards.

In 2017 Box Hill Institute’s focus was to enrich the international student experience, improve retention and to grow its international enrolment numbers.

The institute has had a long, proud history operating transnational education and training programs, with the first delivered in 1982.

One of the ways Box Hill Institute identifies and attracts new international and transnational market opportunities is to welcome delegations from international groups.

Last year it had visits from Indonesia, Vietnam and many other overseas institutes.

The institute supports its valued international students in a variety of ways. One of the very successful support programs is its ‘Outside the Square’ Academic and Culture Workshops. The workshops are week-long and focus on job skills, academic work, group work, technology skills, critical thinking and mental health.

Box Hill institute ensures its partner institutes staff have the appropriate qualifications and skills to deliver the programs.

Transnational teachers are provided with intensive teacher-training programs. Many go overseas on professional development study tours, while partner institutes send their teachers to Australia to undertake training and industry research to support their professional competence.

TAFE Queensland is the largest training provider in the state, serving Queensland students for more than 135 years.

It’s unique structure and state-wide delivery model supports its commitment to working with international students from more than 80 countries.

TAFE Queensland works successfully across the world with institutional, industry and government partners to deliver programs and projects to meet its clients’ needs.

Supported by partnerships with Australia’s top universities, all TAFE Queensland diploma and higher-level courses offer pathways to degree programs, which opens doors to multiple opportunities for international students.

TAFE Queensland identifies the needs and expectations of international students through comprehensive surveys and engagement with support services.

It conducts extensive labour market analysis through country profiles, employer surveys and alumni and industry events.

Educator capability is a key focus area for TAFE Queensland. It holds annual professional development days, while trainers also complete an annual two-week long professional development program.

Box Hill Institute’s focus for its international students is on education excellence and global relevancy.

Twelve transnational partner campuses have been developed, with more than 2,000 offshore international students working towards AQF qualifications on their home soil last year. Domestically, Box Hill Institute increased their international student cohort to more than 1200 inbound students from over 50 different countries.

A particular focus in 2016-2017 for Box Hill Institute has been strengthening ties with Asia. It has developed eight extended campuses in China, and is building a joint campus with Hangzhou Technical College. This joint project will enhance inbound and outbound student exchanges with China.

Box Hill Institute works with a diverse range of international clients to build its workforce capability by providing AQF and locally-accredited qualifications globally. The Institute has provided training and consultancy services to clients based in Singapore, Malaysia, Dominican Republic, Macau, the Maldives, China, the United Arab Emirates, Vietnam and Zambia.

They come from across the globe, representing 77 countries and 43 nationalities, to study at Victoria’s largest technical and further education (TAFE) institute.

Many international graduates of Holmesglen Institute say their experience has been life changing. That includes Panhavuth Kret from Cambodia, who graduated with a Diploma of Graphic Design, Patricia Alvez from Brazil, who graduated with a Diploma of Community Services, and Liang Xu from China who proudly holds a Certificate III in Carpentry.

Holmesglen—with representation in more than 800 locations worldwide—offers more than 120 nationally recognised training programs to close to 5,500 international students (onshore and offshore).
In the late 1980s, Holmesglen became the first TAFE institute to be registered as an English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students provider and established its Overseas Education Unit. It then established its first transnational education partnership in China 20 years ago and in 2015 a partnership with Zhejiang Business and Technology Institute in Ningbo, China.

Today Holmesglen remains one of a few institutions delivering across the senior-secondary, vocational and higher education continuum through an integrated model of applied learning and research. It refreshes and customises training products and support services to stay on top of its game and ensure graduates are work-ready.

‘We identify skill shortages and local labour market needs to offer relevant programs and services that meet international demand,’ says Mary Faraone, Chief Executive Officer.
Innovation is a priority. ‘For example, we knew that international VET students often aspire to go onto higher education,’ says Mary, ‘so we developed our own degrees and now offer the largest number across diverse study areas of any non-university provider. All our degrees enable seamless transitions from underpinning VET qualifications.’

For its efforts, Holmesglen has won several accolades. Its latest was the 2017 International Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards, which acknowledges excellence in educational delivery.
Holmesglen’s results speak volumes.

Pahnhavuth, who had an ‘awesome group of caring teachers’, learned in a creative environment and gained job-ready skills. Patricia secured work with a support services organisation, and says Holmesglen provided her with the ‘right pathway to thrive in my new career.’ Liang, who has set up his own formwork company, says the real experience of his lecturers ignited his passion.

As an Australian VET Alumni member, Holmesglen intends to spread the word about the value of VET. ‘In our case, VET adds another dimension to the education system, including around diversity, tolerance and respect,’ says Mary.
To find out more about how you can gain real skills for a real career through a VET qualification, visit www.myskills.gov.au
 

Charlton Brown is a leader in community services education. Their graduates can be found around the world providing high-quality care to people in their communities, believing the Australian VET sector plays a vital role in skilling the international labour force.

Charlton Brown offers a comprehensive suite of training programs, with 25 qualifications across several core areas including early childhood, aged care, youth work, disability services, school aged education, and community services. Graduates are ready to work with and care for their community’s most vulnerable.

Charlton Brown currently has international students from 27 countries studying at their Brisbane campus. They have developed pathways to Australian universities, with several articulation agreements in place for students seeking to further their studies at degree level.

With a unique passion for quality training that delivers knowledgeable and highly capable graduates into the workforce, the Charlton Brown team are frequently invited to speak at international education conferences.

TBC

Box Hill Institute is a leading Victorian vocational education and training provider offering a variety of courses to both local and international students. In 2014, it had 30,000 student enrolments, including over 5,000 offshore enrolments and more than 600 inbound students from more than 50 countries.

Box Hill Institute is committed to internationalisation and its approach to this commitment encompasses four pillars: inbound international students, international projects, transnational delivery and global studies and citizenship. The Institute’s international inbound students are supported prior to and throughout their training, with a dedicated team of international student support staff providing accommodation, language, academic and social support.

Income from all international activity represents approximately 22 per cent of its overall income, making Box Hill Institute’s international arm a significant and strategic part of its operations.

Box Hill Institute was the winner of International Training Provider of the Year at the 2013 Australian Training Awards.