Bendigo Kangan Institute —Annual Report 2020 Bendigo Kangan Institute Annual Report 2020 Introduction Annual Report Objectives This Annual Report is the principal medium through which Bendigo Kangan Institute (BKI) communicates its accountability to the Hon. Gayle Tierney, MP, Acknowledgment Minister for Training and Skills, and Minister for of Country Higher Education, Victorian Parliament and other stakeholders, in providing a summary of BKI’s Bendigo Kangan Institute’s footprint spans the operations, achievements and financial affairs ancestral lands of the Gunung-Willam-Balluk for the 2020 calendar year. and Wurundjeri peoples, the Jaara people of the Dja Dja Wurrung and the Wollithiga people The Annual Report has been prepared in accordance with the relevant legislation, Ministerial Directions, instructions and applicable Australian of the Yorta Yorta Nation. accounting standards, including but not limited to the following: • Education and Training Reform Act 2006 • Strategic Planning Guidelines Bendigo Kangan Institute pays its respects to (ETRA) – TAFE institutes - 2013 • Constitution of the Bendigo Kangan • Public Administration Act 2004 the traditional custodians of these lands and to Institute Order 2016 • Financial Management Act 1994 • Directions of the Minister for Training and • Freedom of Information Act 1982 their cultural heritage, and extends that respect Skills and Minister for Higher Education (or • Building Act 1993 their predecessors) to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander • Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 • Commercial Guidelines • Local Jobs First Act 2003 – TAFE institutes Elders, past and present. The financial statements in the Annual Report have been approved by the BKI Board following their review and endorsement by the Board’s Audit and Risk Management Committee. 2 3 Bendigo Kangan Institute Annual Report 2020 Our Year in Reflection Table of Contents Introductory Material Compliance Information Annual Report Objectives 2 Occupational Health and Safety 57 Acknowledgment of Country 3 WorkCover Claims 58 Contents page 4 Freedom of Information Act 1982 59 Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012 59 Our year in reflection Financial Management Compliance Attestation 60 By The Numbers 6 Compliance with Carers Recognition Act 2012 60 Adapting Through COVID-19 8 Compliance with Child Safe Standards 60 Chair’s Report 12 National Competition Policy 61 Chief Executive Officer Report 13 Compulsory Non-academic fees, Subscriptions and Charges 61 Building and Maintenance 61 Environmental Performance and Impacts 62 Our Organisation Local Jobs First 64 About Us 14 Major Commercial Activities 65 Financial Summary 16 Advertising Expenditure 65 Organisation Structure 18 Consultancies Expenditure 65 Operations and Governance 20 Information Communication Technology Expenditure 65 Our TAFE Students 26 Awards and Achievements 28 Financial Statements 66 Delivering against the 20>25 Strategy 32 Performance Statement 142 Improving our Offering 34 Disclosure Index 148 Improve our Experience 37 Improve our Places 42 Digitally Enable our Operations 45 Build a United TAFE 47 Build a Professional and Financially Sustainable Organisation 49 Overseas Operations 52 Workforce data 54 4 5 Bendigo Kangan Institute Annual Report 2020 Our Year in Reflection By the Numbers $375mPHYSICAL ASSET VALUE 10CAMPUSES 22,057STUDENTS 1,478STAFF AS AT DECEMBER 2020 S T U D E N T S INVESTMENT IN THE PROFESSIONAL P R OV I D E D DEVELOPMENT OF OUR TEACHING WELLBEING $1.5m AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT STAFF SUPPORT 551 WALK-INS: 53,905 ELIBRARY HOMEPAGE: 40,006 OVER 160,000 93,911 CLASSES TAUGHT VIA VIDEO CONFERENCE LIBRARY VISITS OVER WITH OVER 3,000 316COURSES 254 1,200 LAPTOPS & TABLETS WORK FROM HOME ATTENDANCES PROVISIONED RELATED TUTORIALS 7 Bendigo Kangan Institute Annual Report 2020 Our Year in Reflection Adapting through COVID-19 The COVID-19 pandemic impacted all areas of BKI, bringing At the end of the year, 57% of all practical placements Stringent measures were put in place to assure student had been completed, leaving 414 placements out- safety when practical placements recommenced. This significant challenges and change, but also new opportunities. standing for students who had otherwise completed included COVID-19 risk assessment checklists being their studies. Practical placements are a mandatory required to be completed by placement hosts; a pre- In a year that called for resilience, innovation and flexibility, BKI requirement for the successful completion of a num- placement student COVID-19 declaration; and ongoing staff and students proved to be both resourceful and adaptable. ber of courses. Placement areas most impacted by engagement throughout placements to identify COVID-19 were: Community Services, Early Childhood potential issues or risks. and Education, Individual Support, Vet Nursing, Allied Health and Animal Studies. The Student Experience In just three weeks from when the • International students’ fee payments were deferred “ The communication with my “ Had a few internet connection Victorian Government announced lockdown and apprentices whose industry positions were paused were offered deferred payment plans. trainer has been great, regular hiccups but having video tuition restrictions in March 2020, BKI transitioned emails and video links.” is OK.” to 98% online or remote delivery supporting • A new forum, TalkCampus, was delivered more than 14,000 students who were for all students six months ahead of schedule. TalkCampus is a 24/7 global anonymous group chat enrolled at the time the COVID-19 pandemic “ It’s OK, but I’d rather be in class.” “ I have been isolating since the that lets students connect with their peers around began. 168 online courses were delivered holidays and I really miss normal the world in 25 different languages in a moderated through the lockdown period with 112 of environment, giving international students another “ I would like a combo of both types class life.” these facilitated through the BKI in-house avenue to reach out for support. of learning, in class and remote.” learning platform, and the remaining 56 As a result of these measures, course attendance rates remotely facilitated through email and were not significantly impacted, remaining between “ Not a fan of online format. I can’t video conferencing platforms. 80-100% for all courses. concentrate properly like I can in a The needs of the student population and as such, However, the significant impact of the lockdowns on classroom, and I feel I am missing the demands on staff, changed significantly during students cannot be underestimated, particularly for out on my learning.” STUDENT SURVEYS DURING 2020 the course of the lockdown and a number of measures those in the final stages of their studies. At the height were undertaken to meet these: of the COVID-19 pandemic, BKI had almost all practical • Students who did not have access to computers training placements cancelled or postponed by Assess were provided with laptops through a new loan industry placement hosts. scheme. In response to the emerging COVID-19 The CMT established a Crisis Management Plan, Of the courses underway at the time COVID-19’s created the crisis management operating rhythm, • Every BKI international student was contacted lockdown began, 168 online courses continued to pandemic, the BKI Crisis Management Team coordinated internal and external communications directly to determine their welfare needs. For those be delivered, with 112 of these facilitated through the (CMT) was established. This 66-member, and engagement, and identified and managed critical most isolated, food vouchers were provided and BKI in-house learning platform, and the remaining cross-functional group included Executive issues by working with a team representing each area information about support services was readily 56 remotely facilitated through email and video Team members and senior leaders from of BKI. and regularly made available to them. conferencing platforms. The balance of the 316 across the organisation, both professional courses delivered annually had not commenced and academic, and began operation in Staff were surveyed using Wellbeing Pulse Checks or were not impacted. that found 81% of respondents felt informed about February 2020. 8 the evolving situation while 72% said they trusted 9 BKI’s senior leadership in its decision making. Bendigo Kangan Institute Annual Report 2020 Our Year in Reflection Adapting through COVID-19 “ Overall, it has been a positive “ As always the webinars are fun experience in these difficult times. and engaging. Thank you. I really Adjust My thanks to the senior team to walk appreciate the time and effort put us through this crisis smoothly so we into these webinars. The enthusiasm THE STAFF EXPERIENCE can help others in our ways.” for us, as participants, is tangible.” The management of the COVID-19 pandemic When restrictions eased, processes were implemented “ Very satisfied with my managers. “ Thank you, I certainly have learnt a was underpinned by the following principles: to bring eligible students back onto campus for practical assessments. This required new COVIDSafe Both have responded with calm, lot from the discussion as well as the • Protecting the safety and wellbeing Plans to be put in place at all campuses, with staff clear, caring positivity and strong YouTube sites suggested to watch. of our staff and students. and students being required to follow specific rules leadership.” Valuable information towards our when on campus.