16 April 2008

Victoria University has announced the appointment of Ms Berwyn Clayton to the position of Director, Centre for Vocational and Work-based Education Research and Dr Shelley Gillis has been appointed to the position of Deputy Director.

VU's Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor (Education Services) and Director TAFE. Professor Richard Carter, said: "The new Research Centre marks a major innovation in a Vocational Education faculty on a matter that is of national significance. It will undertake cutting edge research in Vocational Education - partly focussed on improving trades education, partly focused on how skills are best taught or learned in work place settings."

"At a time of skills shortages and with a large drop out rate from apprenticeship courses these issues are regarded as being of critical importance to employers and the government. The Centre's work in these areas is particularly timely given that the volume of funded research in Vocation Education in Australia is actually shrinking."

"And yet these sorts of issues are recognised internationally, as being of critical importance for productivity and competitiveness."

"Given the emphasis on the Centre we are excited to have attracted researchers with the experience and expertise of Berwyn Clayton and Shelley Gillis."

"We look forward to the leadership they can bring to ground breaking research in these areas. Their leadership will also assist us in involving teachers in Vocational Education in research relevant to their practice for the first time."

Ms Clayton is currently the Director of the Centre Undertaking Research in Vocational Education (CURVE) at the Canberra Institute of Technology where she has been employed in a variety of positions for 23 years. She will take up her appointment in late April.

Dr Shelley Gillis is a leading researcher in vocational assessment who advises national and international agencies on competency based assessment processes and systems. She is currently on maternity leave from the University of Melbourne and will take up her appointment later in the year.

Media Contact: Andy Gash, Snr. Media Officer,
Marketing & Communications Department, Victoria University
Ph: (03) 9919 4950; mobile: 0411 255 900