AGY-2013 | Staff Development Division [Department of Technical and Further Education]

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The Staff Development Division was established in August, 1975 (1). The role of the division was to ensure " the effectiveness of all personnel in their present positions, preparing them to meet the requirements of positions to which they may progress, and for encouraging their personal development'. (2) The Division took responsibility for in-service teacher development but not initial teacher training. Soon after its establishment the Division developed a program for the in-service training of teachers, professional officers and other categories of staff. The division was responsible for the induction of new staff, assisting staff to deal with new technology including visual aids and information technology and the instruction of clerical staff in accounting, administrative procedures and personnel administration. In addition to teaching skills, courses were planned to assist teachers in keeping abreast of developments in their own subjects and in education theory. Courses, seminars and conferences were also available for staff located in regional NSW. In 1976, its first full year of operation 6,011 officers attended at least one of 652 courses particularly for improving teaching skills. There were also seminars on educational issues for professional officers and conferences for Registrars and Principals of Technical Colleges. including those on teaching skills (3) The Division continued to serve this role. It apparently continued until the Department of Technical and Further Education was abolished and replaced by the Technical and Further Education Commission (TAFE) in 1991 (1) Department of Technical and Further Education, annual report for the year 1975. P. 11 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1976-77-78 Volume 5 , p. 1041. ended (2) Ibid (3) Department of Technical and Further Education for the year 1976 p. 22 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1976-77-78 Volume 5 , p. 1102