This year VIT is working to endorse high quality continuing education programs and microcredentials, giving teachers, principals and early childhood managers the assurance that their professional learning meets emerging needs, and adds value to their knowledge and practice. 

The Victorian Institute of Teaching (VIT) undertakes its function to regulate members of the teaching profession to ensure quality teaching in accordance with the Education and Training Reform Act (2006).

In March 2021, the Act was amended to clarify VIT’s powers to accredit initial teacher education (ITE) programs and introduced new powers to endorse pathway programs and continuing education programs. The VIT has developed the criteria for endorsement of continuing education programs and microcredentials and has recently started endorsing postgraduate programs, such as masters’ degrees and microcredentials to upskill already qualified teachers. This will eventually also extend to short courses offered by non-profits or commercial providers. 

What's involved

Assessing continuing education program submissions for endorsement will involve convening a panel of subject matter experts. We rely on the expertise of our panellists and acknowledge the time commitment involved in assessing submissions, attending the panel and evaluating program criteria and making judgements on the evidence presented.

Training

The VIT Accreditation team will be holding a training course on 17th September 2024 for teachers who are interested in becoming a continuing education programs endorsement panel member.

The one-day training course will provide participants with

• an understanding of continuing education programs and microcredentials
• an overview of Framework for the Endorsement of Continuing Education programs
• an overview of continuing education programs endorsement panel proceedings 
• an understanding of the role and responsibilities of a panellist
• an opportunity to review sample program application and evaluate program criteria.

Expressions of interest

The VIT is now taking expressions of interest from VIT registered early childhood, primary and secondary teachers as well as teachers who currently have a position of responsibility or leadership within their service or school.

To express your interest in participating, please email a summary of your qualifications, education experience, including areas of knowledge and expertise to accreditation@vit.vic.edu.au.