Suzanne Crew was recently appointed Chief Executive Officer of UNE Partnerships, a registered training organisation that specialises in vocational education, including the Diploma of Facilities Management (FM). She brings a wealth of knowledge, gained through her extensive experience in the tertiary education sector and a 10-year career in federal politics.

What has been the biggest challenge in your new role?
The biggest challenge I faced in the first three months of my tenure was the development of a new strategic plan and budget for approval by the UNE Partnerships Board. If the strategy was going to have any chance of success, it needed to be informed by our staff, students, partner organisations and clients. Given the tight time frame, I knew from the outset that building the trust necessary for people to be open and honest with me was going to be my biggest challenge. I needed to hit the ground running, spending most of my time building relationships with staff and stakeholders. We met the deadline and the strategy was approved by the board. Only time will tell if it is a success or not!

More generically, my challenges are the same as most CEOs and senior management teams in tertiary education; an uncertain public policy environment, an increasingly complex and volatile regulatory environment, changing student and client expectations (and the need for pedagogical innovation and the technological investment required to keep pace with these demands), and increased competition domestically and internationally. Thus, it is now imperative to instil change-readiness and agile processes as core to any tertiary education institution.

What are your main priorities for the future of UNE Partnerships?
I have four main priorities for 2019:

1. implement a new course design model to make our courses more adaptable in a changing tertiary education market
2. introduce supplementary student support initiatives to create a unique learning support environment for our students
3. roll out access to Vet Student Loans for our students
4. seek registration as a CRICOS provider.

How do you ensure students receive quality training that aligns with industry needs?
Our aim is to deliver experientially and research-informed vocational education and training courses that are practical, contemporary, customised and unique in an Australian vocational sector dominated by the delivery of standardised training packages.

UNE Partnerships has a long history of closely partnering with key industry bodies – such as the FMA – to ensure that the needs of the industry are reflected in course design, delivery, content and assessment. We also select trainers and assessors based on their reputation and standing in their sector to ensure students are receiving contemporary and informed knowledge and skills from leaders in the field.

The content development process for the Diploma of FM included two expert review stages for each module. Members of the FMA education committee were invited to review content at the first and second drafts to ensure the concepts, case studies and assessment expectations aligned with best practice in the FM sector.

We also make the most of our relationship with the University of New England (UNE) to ensure that the knowledge-based components, especially in relation to the leadership and management components of our higher-level qualifications, remain aligned with current applied research findings and trends.

The Diploma of FM is a self-directed/paced online course. How do you ensure students remain engaged when they have the freedom to learn at their own pace?
UNE Partnerships students are generally mature adults working in a role directly related to their area of study, and are strongly motivated to succeed. While many find it difficult to fit study around existing professional and personal commitments, they appreciate the flexibility of the UNE Partnerships approach, and the encouragement and support of our staff.

Attention to individual students is a key factor in their success. Each student is provided with an individual study and submission plan in their enrolment dashboard so that they can easily benchmark their progress. UNE staff review individual student progress monthly and follow up those that appear to be falling behind in their studies to offer encouragement, advice and assistance to keep them on track. Assessment submission dates are adjusted to suit individual needs and commitments, helping them to manage their own time and take responsibility for their own success.

In addition, over the next 12 months, UNE Partnerships will be rolling out two new initiatives to help students remain engaged with their studies. Firstly, we will be introducing a mentor scheme, matching students with industry representatives or academic coaches depending on the needs of the students. Secondly, we will commence sector-level webinars aimed at all students, regardless of how far advanced they are with their studies, to provide students with not only knowledge and skills pertinent to their field, but a chance to engage as part of a learning community. We are also exploring a new student engagement platform, which we hope to roll out in 2019.

The FM industry has been greatly affected by new technology. How do you equip students with the skills necessary to navigate the digital world?                                     

Our courses are competency-based, requiring students to demonstrate and apply their new skills and knowledge in real-world situations. While the diploma does not teach students to use specific software packages or focus on advancements in technology, it does build skills in critical thinking, digital literacy, information collection, data analysis and reporting. Our focus is on the ability to make sense of the data and information to which facilities managers are exposed, and use it to guide decision-making.

Learning in an online environment also helps to develop a range of skills for the digital world, encouraging students to use new technologies for improved information collection analysis and reporting, communications, planning and scheduling, and research and presentation skills. As early adopters of new technology, FMs embrace the change and recognise the benefits.

In 2018, UNE Partnerships committed to providing an annual scholarship for the Diploma of FM for Indigenous Australians. What do you hope to achieve through this scholarship?
FMA launched its Indigenous Engagement Strategy in June 2018. One of the key actions was to work with a range of organisations to put in place some tangible actions that will see greater engagement with the Indigenous community and the FM industry.

Through this scholarship, UNE Partnerships and the FMA can provide access to skill development and help to reduce barriers to education for Indigenous people interested in pursuing a career in facilities management.

To support this initiative, the FMA will be working with a range of large players within the industry to gain access to an employment opportunity for each scholarship recipient – ensuring a pathway from education to employment.

To read the full interview with Suzanne Crew, please refer to Facility Perspectives, Vol 13 No 1. 

The FMA and UNE Partnerships (UNEP) are proud to announce that applications for the first annual Indigenous Scholarship for the Diploma of Facilities Management are now open.

This annual scholarship aims to foster and promote continuing training and professional development for FMA members who are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent. It was developed as part of the Association’s 2018 Indigenous Engagement Strategy – an initiative of the FMA’s Diversity Portfolio Group.

“We are proud to be working with UNEP to tackle the issue of unemployment within Indigenous communities,” said FMA Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Burt. “We are confident that this scholarship will help advance the careers of Indigenous people in facilities management, and hopefully pave the way for more Indigenous people to enter this dynamic industry.”

Sue Crew, Chief Executive Officer of UNEP, said, “We are delighted to be working together with the Association to provide this scholarship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander FMA members, to help further their careers in this growing industry.”

The Diploma of Facilities Management was developed in conjunction with industry professionals and is aimed at people already working in the industry. It is undertaken via distance education and must be completed within two years of receiving the scholarship.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must:

• be an FMA member (individual or corporate level 2–4);
• be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent;
• be employed as a Facility Manager, or currently working towards this role;
• ensure their employer is able to provide a mentor for the duration of study;
• have completed a minimum of Year 12 or have worked in the industry for at least three years;
• meet any other entry admission criteria required by UNEP.​

Business owners and supervisors are welcome to nominate their Facility Managers for the scholarship. Nominees will be contacted to confirm their acceptance, before being asked to complete the Application Form.

All applications must be submitted online at www.fma.com.au/indigenous-scholarship-program by 30 April 2019.

(Photo above – Business Managers at the new Leadership Development Program in Mt Druit on 15 February 2019)

UNE Partnerships launch new Leadership Development Program for Catholic Education Diocese

The Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta is providing their Business Managers with a unique opportunity to develop their leadership skills, through a new program that was launched at the Aengus Kavanagh Education and Equity Centre in Mt Druit on 15 February 2019.

John Elliot, Partnerships Manager at the Catholic Education Diocese of Paramatta is excited about this new program and the Diocese’ relationship with UNE Partnerships.

“We are re-imagining education across our 82 schools in Western Sydney. This training program aims to upskill our staff to better support our school Principals and learning leaders so that they are free to focus on the work of individual teaching for all children in a dynamic technological age.”

The Leadership Development Program has a strong focus on contemporary leadership skills, including; emotional intelligence, relationship management and project management. These skills are delivered across a series of workshops and webinars, which are aligned with a nationally recognised skillset derived from the Diploma of Leadership and Management. The program is further contextualised to support specific workforce and workplace priorities identified by the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta.

• Click here to learn more about the Diploma of Leadership and Management
  https://unep.edu.au/course/diploma-of-leadership-and-management/

• Click here to learn more about the Catholic Education Diocese of Parramatta
  http://www.parra.catholic.edu.au/home

• (Photo above – NSW Government Graduate Program Welcome Breakfast in Sydney on 11 February 2019)

   

  The NSW Government Graduate Program has won the Australian Financial Review’s Australia’s Most Popular Government and Defence Employer Award for the second year in a row. The Program also climbed eight places from 12 to 4 in the annual list of Top 100 Graduate Programs in Australia.

   

  UNE Partnerships has worked closely with the NSW Public Service Commission on the Diploma component of the Program since the inception of this program in 2016, where the inaugural intake was open to 25 recruits. Today, the NSW Government Graduate Program has surpassed the popularity of many of the country’s traditional graduate preferences, including half of the ‘Big Four’ consulting firms.

   

  The program provides Graduates with exposure to a range of agencies and departments across three six-month rotations. This experience is underpinned through a tailored Diploma of Government qualification, which UNE Partnerships delivers using a combination of workshops, online study, coaching and practical workplace application of learning.

   

  The NSW Government Graduate Program has not only grown in popularity over the past few years, it has also dramatically grown in scale. More than 180 graduates were welcomed into the 2019 intake in Sydney on Monday 11 February 2019, where there was a high level of energy and excitement amongst new recruits.

   

  UNE Partnerships Academic Director (Government) Sean O’Toole has worked closely with the NSW Public Service Commission to contexualise the Diploma of Government to meet the specific needs of the NSW Public Service and the NSW Government Graduate Program since its inception.

   

  ”One of the greatest strengths of this program is how it has been highly customised to reflect the most innovative contemporary thinking about working in government in the NSW context. We are also very proud of our near 100% completion rate over several hundred graduates” 

   

  UNE Partnerships congratulates the NSW Public Service Commission on the recognition they have achieved for the NSW Government Graduate Program and wish 2019 recruits every success over the coming 18 months and beyond.

   

  • Learn more about the Diploma of Government from UNE Partnerships:
    https://unep.edu.au/course/diploma-of-government/

   

  • Learn more about the NSW Government Graduate program:
    https://www.psc.nsw.gov.au/workforce-management/recruitment/nsw-government-graduate-program

   

  • Learn More about the AFR Top 100 Graduate Programs:
    https://top-graduate-employers-2019.afr.com/pride-purpose-australias-largest-ehttps://top-graduate-employers-2019.afr.com/pride-purpose-australias-largest-employer/mployer/

“A momentous day for UNE Partnerships Pty Ltd (UNEP) CEO, Suzanne Crew and Infotech Professionals Pty Ltd t/a International Institute of Business and Information Technology (IIBIT) CEO, Kishore S Vallam when both organisations seal a strategic collaboration to expand the provision of education services in Australia and offshore.

IIBIT offers an international market, existing successful marketing, and access to government funding in Australia and India which will be supported by UNEP’s extensive library of bespoke learning content and intellectual property suitable for online, blend, and face-to-face delivery. UNE Partnerships is an established, industry connected, and quality RTO with over 30 years of experience in distance and online education services.”

Photo (L-R) Meredith Crawford, Dr Crawford and Tracey Hansen-Smith. Awarded the Southern Highlands Business Award for Outstanding Health Improvement Service.

Fundamentals of Medical Assisting with UNE Partnerships

Alumna Testimonial by Tracey Hansen-Smith

“ Without a doubt I would recommend the Medical Assisting course. The curriculum is interesting and comprehensive, and
the knowledge and skillset gained on completion is impressive for any employee and a beneficial addition to your entire practice.  

I have completed both Medical Assisting and Practice Management courses with UNE Partnerships and
found the online learning environment user-friendly and the trainers accessible,dedicated and knowledgeable.
They have instilled the confidence in me to further my education and to further my career “.

The Fundamentals of Medical Assisting is an introductory course providing practices and candidates with an insight into the competencies and skills required to become a medical practice assistant (MPA). The MPA is an emerging role within many practices, with a significant part to play in both front of house and back of house settings.

This short course comprises of 5 units of competency;

• Handle medical specimens (HLTHSP005)
• Facilitate a coordinated approach to client care (HLTADM003)
• Maintain medication stocks (HLTHPS003)
• Work with diverse people (CHCHIV001)
• Work legally and ethically (CHCLEG001).

These units are delivered online and are aligned with the Health Care Homes initiative and patient centred care.

To enquire about our Fundamentals of Medical Assisting short course please fill out our enquiry form below and one of our friendly Future Students team member will get back to you shortly.

There is a pathway available for further study to enrol into the Certificate IV in Medical Practice Assisting qualification. Click here for more information about this qualification.

UNE Partnerships would like to congratulate the NSW Government Graduate Program cohort of 2017, with 85 graduates celebrating the successful completion of the Diploma of Government at Dexus Place in Sydney on 13 July 2018.

UNE Partnerships are incredibly proud of our partnership with the NSW Public Service Commission, which has seen the NSW Government Graduate Program grow from a pilot group of 25 graduates in 2016, to more than 160 graduates in this year’s intake.

Professor Todd Walker, the Chairman and Managing Director of UNE Partnerships and the Provost and Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of New England, described some of the strengths of this highly customised training program on the day;

“While it is recognized that those graduating today will now add a Diploma of Government to other tertiary qualifications,
we believe this learning experience is a special one.

Learning is most effective when it can be immediately leveraged in the workplace and we have worked hard to ensure
this program supports learning occurring on the job through experience and exposure via mentors, managers and colleagues.
Enabling a broader perspective at the start of career means the graduate contribution to their work role is clearer and
they emerge from the graduate program ready to make a significant impact.”

Graduates were also treated to an inspiring speech from Emma Hogan, who shared some of the highs and lows of her career journey from an early school leaver, to eventually become the NSW Public Service Commissioner, imparting some valuable life lessons and career advice to  everyone who was fortunate enough to attend.

UNE Partnerships have worked closely with the NSW Public Service Commission over the past three years to extensively customise the Diploma of Government to suit and support the NSW Government Graduate Program. Activities and outcomes have been carefully mapped against the NSW Public Sector Capability Framework to ensure the skills and knowledge are practical, meaningful and relevant to work in the NSW Public Sector.

The continued success and growth of this academic component of the graduate  program is testament to the hard work and commitment of the graduates themselves, as well as the tireless efforts of UNE Partnerships staff and the support teams across the NSW Public Service Commission and the broader NSW Government.

UNE Partnerships look forward to continuing this important relationship with the NSW Public Service Commission and we wish all of the graduates every success into the future.

Learn more about our Diploma of Government course.

UNE Partnerships would like to congratulate the 18 successful QAIHC students on the completion of their workshops as part of the Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) course they are studying.

Some of the QAIHC students from the workshops are pictured here with our Academic Director of Medical Administration, Gary Smith.

We wish them all the very best in their future careers.

Learn more about our Certificate III in Business Administration (Medical) course.

UNE Partnerships collaborates each year with the Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) to provide training to new workers in remote and rural medical centres in Queensland.  The majority of students are Aboriginal people, and often the program is their first adult education and training experience.  In many instances, attending training in Brisbane is their first visit to the city.  This ongoing training builds capacity and capability in Aboriginal medical health services throughout Queensland.

UNE Partnerships is proud to be delivering leadership training to the Samoan Public Service Commission.

As part of our ongoing commitment to developing effective and professional leaders and managers, we have partnered with our Academic Director for business and management programs, John Ross (pictured bottom row 5th from left) , to assist in the delivery of leadership training to the Samoan Public Service Commission.

John Ross, who is the Director of a business coaching and consulting company called Taking Action, was recently engaged to deliver a series of leadership and management workshops for the Samoan Public Service Commission, whose central office is based in Apia on the island of Upolu. The Samoan Public Service Commission’s focus is on developing the country’s human resources and professionalism in the public service, with the goal of promoting values-based leadership and management in the sector.

Through the partnership initiative we will provide enrolment and assessment in the unit Show leadership in the workplace (BSBMGT401). On successful completion of the unit the participants will have demonstrated the ability to make informed decisions, model high standards of management, and enhance their organisation’s image. Additionally, they will have been awarded a unit of competency recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework.

We are looking forward to the commencement of the initiative and wish all participants the very best for their ongoing professional development.

For more information on our Business and Management courses please click here.

UNE Partnerships is proud to offer a suite of contemporary short courses for your organisational or professional development.

These courses have been designed from the ground up to help you grow your organisation to new heights. All UNE Partnerships’ courses
are nationally recognised and accredited qualifications, developed in close consultation with peak industry professionals.

Business Courses

• Achieve and Lead Change
• Ensuring Success
• Strategic Transformation
• Leadership Fundamentals
• Lead the Way
• Project Leadership

Health and Medical Course

• Fundamentals of Medical Assisting

Government and Procurement Course

• Contract and Relationship Management

Project Managemet Courses

• Project Management Fundamentals
• Introduction to Project Management for Operational Staff

For more information about our Short Courses please click here.