Bedford College is excited to announce a new strategic partnership with Anglicare Sydney, aimed at enhancing the learning and employment outcomes for students undertaking vocational placements in aged care and related services. This collaboration is built on the Vocational Placement Agreement (VPA), tailored to meet the specific needs of Anglicare Sydney.
Through this specific partnership, Bedford College and Anglicare Sydney will work together to provide students with real-world, practical experiences that complement their classroom learning. This initiative not only prepares students for immediate employment but also equips them with the skills necessary to excel in the rapidly growing aged care sector.
Key Highlights of the Partnership:
Collaborative Learning: Students will engage in structured programs that integrate both on-the-job and off-the-job training, tailored to meet the high standards of the aged care industry.
Mutual Benefits: The partnership is designed to benefit all parties involved, from students gaining invaluable experience to Anglicare Sydney accessing a pool of well-trained, job-ready graduates.
Commitment to Excellence: Both Bedford College and Anglicare Sydney are committed to raising the standard of vocational education and ensuring that graduates are not only competent but also highly skilled and ethical professionals.
Bedford College’s CEO, Steve Dixon, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with Anglicare Sydney represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide top-tier vocational training. It ensures our students are exceptionally well-prepared to meet the demands of the industry and make meaningful contributions to the community.”
Anglicare Sydney CEO, Simon Miller, said “This partnership is a win-win. Together we can provide students with valuable real-world experience, while also developing high calibre and caring professionals for the sector. I hope it inspires current and future generations of aged care graduates into a successful and deeply rewarding career.”
Bedford and Inaburra School are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) this week, marking a significant commitment to provide enhanced vocational education opportunities for students. This collaboration aims to equip students with practical skills and knowledge, preparing them for various post-school pathways.
Established in 1943, Bedford has been a cornerstone in vocational education, continually adapting to meet the dynamic needs of the workforce. Inaburra School, founded in 1982, is committed to delivering a comprehensive education within a caring, Christian environment, emphasising academic excellence and spiritual growth.
The partnership leverages recent changes allowing more vocational courses within the HSC framework, enabling Bedford to offer training directly on Inaburra’s campus. This initiative will allow students to begin their vocational training while still completing their HSC, providing a seamless transition into tertiary education and beyond.
Key Benefits of the Partnership:
On-site Vocational Training: Students will have the convenience and advantage of receiving high-quality vocational training at Inaburra, facilitated by Bedford’s expertise.
Expanded Educational Pathways: The collaboration broadens the scope of academic and vocational pathways available to students, enhancing their educational and career prospects.
Shared Values and Vision: Both institutions share a commitment to Christian values and education, aiming to provide an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Mr. Stuart Jones, Inaburra’s vocational education administrator, expressed his enthusiasm about the benefits for Inaburra’s senior students: “With the broader pathways available through vocational education, this partnership helps Inaburra tap into the tertiary education environment as well as the understanding Bedford has of what the employment sector is looking for in new employees. It also provides the opportunity for our students to gain this training on site here at Inaburra.”
Steve Dixon, CEO of Bedford, highlighted the strategic benefits of the partnership: “The benefit of this partnership with Inaburra for Bedford is we can engage with students as they consider what their future is going to be and we can help equip them far earlier than they would have been otherwise. At a wider level it is about the shared conviction of being a Christian provider and being able to provide that experience for students no matter their own conviction or world view. This will help empower students, which is true to what we are as an organisation, to be what they want to be into the future.”
For more information about this partnership, please contact Bedford’s Partnerships Manager on 1300 174 174.
This week is National Skills Week, where we celebrate the value of skills-based and vocational training.
The theme for this year is exciting – Game Changer – and aligns closely with our philosophy at Bedford. We believe in transforming education, where we help you to become who you want to be, and own the story of your life. We’re always excited by the possibilities that skills-based and vocational education holds to get you on your way to a successful career you love.
Bedford CEO, Steve Dixon, talks about skills and the Olympics… and the critical importance of vocational education.
We’re always excited by the possibilities that skills-based and vocational education holds to get you on your way to a successful career you love.
Like many Australians I was up watching the Olympics over these last couple of weeks, and like previous iterations I find myself enthralled by sports that I wouldn’t otherwise have any interest in or awareness about.
I watch plenty of football and basketball every year, and I have a basic level of awareness as to what’s happing in the world of tennis and golf when major tournaments are on but that’s really about it for me.
Now be honest, the same is true for you.
We love the dedication and ability of people who are representing us as a nation… a time when we clearly celebrate skill over intellect.
How many people regularly watch swimming, kayaking, rowing, athletics, beach volleyball, skateboarding, and water polo other than every four years at the Olympics?
Why am I passionately cheering on people who I don’t know anything about, doing a sport that I wouldn’t otherwise take any interest in?
For me, I think it’s less about the sport I’m watching and more about celebrating the Australian effort on the world stage.
Much has been made about our achievements and in particular the per-capita comparison against much more populated nations. I have heard and read comments around the investment we make in sport as a nation, but I have heard less around how our love of sport in general influences our engagement, enthusiasm, and expectations when it comes to the sports we watch during the Olympics.
We love the dedication and ability of people who are representing us as a nation. We cheer them on to achieve their best – and hopefully bring home a medal for their efforts.
It’s a time when we clearly celebrate skill over intellect.
As CEO of a vocational education institution this fascinates me because we live in a world where skills are elevated to a height not seen in tertiary education. As such, we see skills development as a key point of difference when it comes to students choosing a vocational pathway.
…we live in a world where skills are elevated to a height not seen in tertiary education. As such, we see skills development as a key point of difference when it comes to students choosing a vocational pathway.
Alissa Haddad, our Dean of Education and Community Services outlines “Education within the vocational education landscape does not sit as an isolated construct to build one’s theoretical knowledge. Rather, it prepares citizens for productive work engagements and to become active contributors to the knowledge economy by developing key attributes that position student learners ready for the 21st century workforce.”
Last year the Sydney Morning Herald published an article around the benefits of vocational training for young people completing the HSC. In it they outlined “Annually, around 30 per cent of HSC students opt to study a vocational education and training (VET) course as part of their HSC, providing a pathway straight into further training, work or university.”1
We believe there is shift coming where that number is going to be far closer to 50% in the not-too-distant future as people consider the increasing costs associated with education, the length of time required to complete a qualification, as well as how to distinguish themselves as the preferred applicant for jobs.
We live in a world that is getting faster by the day, and the demands of work are changing rapidly. To be job-ready is no longer seen as a ‘nice to have’ but is clearly a ‘need to have.’ Vocational training prepares students for the workforce through mandated work placements and the requirements of trainers to demonstrate their ongoing ‘currency’ as educators.
To be job-ready is no longer seen as a ‘nice to have’ but is clearly a ‘need to have.’
Radha Reddy, our Dean of Health Services explains “Vocational training programs are created in consultation with professionals from the industry to keep the curriculum up to date and in line with the demands of the labour market.”
It is this industry consultation that results in our students not simply having the associated knowledge with their chosen field of study but improves the ability of graduates to find immediate employment. Employers can have confidence that our students know what to expect as they enter the workplace.
Forbes highlight this by outlining “Technical skills not [sic] just add an important point to your resume but also help you get a higher paying job. It is a gateway of opportunities and success. It makes you successfully perform your day-to-day work duties. It increases your knowledge and makes you an expert in the field.”2
Sharon Kerr, our Manager of Educational Projects put it this way “The importance of VET is often underestimated. However, the VET sector plays a major role in empowering individuals, community capacity building, and importantly improving the bottom line of employers, resulting in a stronger local and national economy. As a result of close partnerships with industry stakeholders, VET providers develop job-ready, industry-focused training solutions, to influence environmental, economic and social sustainability for the state and nation and the resulting social benefits of generational change.”
Vocational training is where concepts and theories intersect with the real world and that’s what more and more employers want. Vocational training provides these skills. And who doesn’t want to be able to demonstrate to an employer that they have the skills to be able to the job?
Vocational training is where concepts and theories intersect with the real world and that’s what more and more employers want.
Let’s be honest, the Olympics wouldn’t be the same if we were watching people demonstrating their knowledge of a sport. Their knowledge is important, but it’s their skill that we are drawn to. And it is their ability to execute their skill under pressure that we celebrate.
By Steve Dixon
CEO, Bedford
SMH, When The HSC Leads Straight To A Dream Job, Available online: https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/when-the-hsc-leads-straight-to-a-dream-job-20230530-p5dcfk.html ↩︎
Forbes, Top 20 Skills That Employers Look For In Candidates, Available online: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/in/business/top-skills-to-get-a-job/ ↩︎
Merran Renton is our longest serving staff member. Not only has she worked on team but she also studied at Bedford as a student. This week, she celebrates her 40th working anniversary with Bedford – what an incredible achievement!
To honour her long-serving dedication, we asked some questions about her time here over the years and she shared her fondest memories, along with some heartfelt wisdom.
Q: Firstly Merran, what do you remember about your experience as a student at Bedford?
A: One of my fondest memories as a student (although I’m not sure ‘fondest’ is the right word!) is working hard to achieve 120 words per minute shorthand and 50 words per minute on a manual typewriter (I had never seen one before). This required hard work and dedication and involved typing drills and even typing music!
I also made great friends that year and they still remain.
Q: What was your first day working at Bedford like?
A: I mostly remember being very nervous – and then realising that I needed to revise my shorthand to get it back to textbook style! I was fortunate to have friends working at Bedford so that was a good welcome.
Q: What changes have you seen over the years?
A: There have been too many changes over the years to number, however, we have always been moving forward and improving – training our students to be the best they can be.
Significant physical changes have included the location of Bedford, originally in the Sydney CBD, then Glebe and now in Norwest.
Q: What has stayed the same?
A: What has stayed the same is Bedford’s underlying purpose – to train our students in a caring Christian environment, so they are skilled and well-prepared to take their place as valued members of the community.
Q: What do you value most about your time so far at Bedford?
A: I love what I do, training young people with skills to enable them to take their place in the workplace and to be able to contribute to their community. Seeing them grow over a year and mature in so many areas of their lives. Witnessing their graduation is a proud moment.
Also, being able to share my faith over the years has been a highlight.
With Bedford staff, I have made long-lasting friendships. This has created a great working space and community.
Q: Do you know how many students you’ve taught over the years?
A: Wow! Too many to count! But I would say over a thousand students. We have also employed many Bedford graduates over the years. Being able to work with them has been fantastic too, to be able to see firsthand their capabilities being put to use.
Q: Can you offer any wisdom to students or young people just starting out?
A:
Find the sweet spot of work-life balance
Enjoy what you do inside and outside of work
Value friendships and nurture them
Do your best in whatever task is asked of you, from photocopying to the very important meeting with a client
Respect those around you in all positions
Keep learning and looking for opportunities for self-improvement, as well as how to benefit your company too
Enrolments are now open for Term 3 and we’re offering our scholarship opportunities once again. Many Bedford students have benefitted from our scholarships over the years and if you’re considering studying at Bedford, we’d love you to apply too.
We’ve put together a Q&A that explains the process for you.
Q: What is a scholarship?
A: Our scholarships are a reduction of fees, distributed evenly across the duration of your course of study.
Q: Why does Bedford give out scholarships?
A: We love supporting students with a big vision for their life and the world they want to see – we don’t want anything to stop you from getting where you’re going!
We believe in you and we want to help you make an impact. We believe education should be empowering, not exclusive, and granting scholarships is an important way we make sure that everyone has a chance to succeed.
Q: Does Bedford give scholarships only based on academic merit?
A: No. We recognise that every student is different and all shine in their own way. We see hard work and determination as an indicator of a potential scholarship candidate and there are many other reasons we may also consider.
We want to invest in the potential you have to positively impact your community in the future, not just assess your achievement in the past.
Q: What are the three areas Bedford considers when granting scholarships?
A:
Equity – Financial, health, family or personal circumstances
Achievement – Previous study, work or community participation
Passion – Your desires, dreams, goals, or acts of service
Q: What’s the process to apply?
A: First, contact our Student Services team, via the link on our website, to get the ball rolling. Let them know you’re interested in applying and they can send you everything you need.
You’ll need to submit an application form, along with a Supporting Statement, which explains how you believe a scholarship will help you with your studies and in your future career. This statement should clearly explain your background, your current circumstances, and the vision you have for your career journey. This helps the Bedford team assess your eligibility, need and merit.
We make our selection based on the application/personal statement, academic records, letters to support the application, portfolio (letters of support, awards, samples of work etc) and fulfilment of the equity requirements of the scholarship. If we think it’s helpful, we may request an interview.
Q: Is any one excluded from applying?
A: If you’re eligible for other types of funding, such as the Smart and Skilled program, unfortunately you can’t access scholarship funding as well. Please check with us about this so we can guide you to the funding opportunity best suited to you. We’re here to help you as best we can!
Q: How do I get start my application?
A: Head to the scholarships page on our website for more info and click on ‘Get in touch to apply’. This will put you in contact with our Student Services team and they’ll guide you from there.
After 80 years of Bedford, we’re changing. Not who we are, but embracing what we believe and do.
We’re rebranding for greater meaning. We’re reaching new markets, starting new courses, expanding locations.
Bedford CEO, Steve Dixon, says, “As I think about the last decade, it’s clear that education is changing. Students need it to be faster, and more flexible, and world events are challenging the rigidity of the system.
“Education shouldn’t be institutionalised, inflexible and impersonal. And it shouldn’t be unsupportive and unproductive, leaving students unprepared.”
We exist to eliminate barriers that hinder people from realising their potential, and set a new standard for education that is holistic, purposeful and transformative. Empowering people to accelerate toward the life they desire and the future they want to create. Helping them to grow in character, capability and confidence with values that affirm who they are.
People matter. Character matters. Outcomes matter.
Bedford was established by Baptist Churches in NSW, in 1943 to meet Australia’s great emerging social needs due to the devastation of families during World War II. Over 80 years, Bedford has adapted to a world that’s constantly changing.
Our constant approach has been building theoretical depth and practical application, with holistic personal development.
We believe in Transforming Education— empowering people, shaping the world.
For over 80 years, Bedford College has been a trusted name in education, empowering students to achieve their career goals and make a lasting impact in their chosen fields.
In February 2024, we will open our new campus at Hurstville. This strategic location is close to other parts of the city – the CBD is 20 minutes by train and Sutherland station is only 15 minutes away.
At the new campus, we will continue our commitment to excellence. We offer Diploma and dual Diploma courses in Business, Leadership and Management. Whether you aspire to be a business leader, a skilled manager, or a visionary entrepreneur, there is a course to explore your career goals.
We believe that the quality of education is only as good as the faculty delivering it. Our trainers are experienced and respected. They bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the classroom. They are committed to providing students with practical insights and real-world examples that bridge the gap between theory and practice, supported by our philosophy of developing people holistically.
Join us on this exciting journey – we’d love to help you unlock your potential.
We’re excited to announce our new campus to help our students find the path and life they love.
The Other Cheek interviews Steve Dixon, who has just got behind the desk as CEO of the Baptist church’s Bedford College in north west Sydney. Steve says, “One of the most significant social issues Bedford is facing today is providing an environment that understands and responds to the needs, struggles, and concerns of students.”
Bedford College has a rich history as part of the Baptist family since 1943. Chief Executive, Steve Dixon shares how education is transformative, offering opportunities for individuals to work in harmony.
What do you want to do when you grow up? Bedford CEO, Steve Dixon, shares wisdom and advice for young people navigating their next steps in this article published in Eternity News.
