The Academic Leaders Program at South Metropolitan TAFE is a dual-stream professional development initiative designed to empower high-performing lecturers to grow as instructional leaders and strategic contributors. Delivered in two semester-long masterclasses - Leadership and Teaching and Learning - the program responds to sector-wide challenges in succession planning, instructional quality, and workforce engagement, through targeted skill development.
The Leadership Masterclass supports lecturers aspiring to senior academic and management roles through interactive training and executive mentoring. Participants propose and implement projects of value in their teams, engage in mentoring with senior leaders, and explore leadership frameworks such as the mutual learning approach and psychological safety.
The Teaching & Learning Masterclass offers an intensive professional development experience grounded in evidence-informed instructional strategies. Each session blends pre-class preparation, live demonstrations, and post-session reflection to foster deep engagement and sustained growth. Participants actively engage in hands-on application, structured reflective practice, and collaborative mini-lessons. The program also incorporates peer observation and instructional coaching to strengthen teaching practice through shared insights and feedback.
Now in its third year, the program has evolved through participant feedback to feature fortnightly sessions, delivered across two semesters, allowing participants more time to apply concepts between sessions. It has demonstrated impact in enhancing leadership confidence, fostering cross-portfolio collaboration, and supporting career progression. Participants report increased engagement, improved team dynamics, and stronger alignment with organisational values.
This presentation will share the program’s design and implementation strategies, which contribute to increased capability and succession planning. It will be of interest to those leading workforce development, academic innovation, and organisational change across the VET sector, offering practical strategies for driving sustainable change.