Sustainable Skills for a Sustainable Future 2009

Heather MacLeodDebra Cummins

TAFE Development Unit, University of Ballarat

Sustainability

There are over 300 definitions for sustainability so… what is it?what is it?

“Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future

generations to meet their own needs”Source: ‘Our Common Future’ - Brundtland Report (1987) World Commission on Environment and Development

To sustain the average Australian’s lifestyle would require…

almost four worlds. We only have one.

Something needs to change…now.

The Problem

The triple bottom line: from policy to practice

• Engage

• Embed

• Explore

Sustainable Futures

• Funded by Skills Victoria Innovation Fund

• Joint project with the National Centre for Sustainability

• Based around the actions proposed in the NCVER 2007 Report “Finding the common ground: Is there a place for sustainability education in VET?”

Twelve teachers released from teaching one day a week to champion sustainable practices in VET.

Our Participants

Project Focus

• Engaging staff in conversations about sustainability and actions they’d like to see to encourage a culture of sustainability.

• Embedding sustainability in course delivery and Department practice

• Exploring new training opportunities and what low carbon economy means for their industry. Exploring resources to implement sustainable practices

Project basics

• Integrated delivery of three accredited sustainability units

• One day a week dedicated to the project, with a mixture of formal sessions and time to work in the Department

• Industry placement

• Department agreement

• Department action plan

Some of the Successes

An opportunity to make a real difference … to make our staff and students more awareCreating energy and interest within other staff membersAn opportunity to learn about better ways of doing things in an environmentally and sustainable wayMeeting with like-minded peopleOpportunity to become industry leaders

Some of the Minuses

• The focus was on the office cleanup – rubbish bins, recycling waste paper and cans, turning off lights and computers

• Lack of interest from some staff to embed sustainability into their courses due to already heavy workload

• Trying to understand areas outside my familiar trade

• Lack of time – more time is needed to implement what has been learnt this year

• A budget dedicated to sustainability improvements for each department is needed - staff would feel empowered to be able to make decisions

At this stage, the project is about helping and educating people to become more aware of factors that affect sustainability in the work place and longer term; students taking this information back to their workplace and implementing changes by educating their colleagues in best practise …most people want to do the right thing - they need to know small changes can make a big difference.

Conclusion

• There is a place for sustainability education in VET

• Champion model can be a successful way of changing behaviours

• Challenge – how to measure the outcomes– how to continue the momentum without the

funding

Thank you to the participants and the National Centre for Sustainability