Flinders University

MANDATORY INDUCTION PROGRAMS – ACADEMIC STAFF

Guidelines for academic staff and supervisors

Academic staff are required to participate in specific orientation and induction training. The
following guidelines outline the process for determining training requirements for
continuing, convertible, and fixed-term (greater than 12 months) appointees, including
the granting of exemptions.

1 Induction programs specified under the University’s Collective Workplace

Agreement (CWA)

1.1 Continuing and convertible academic staff members are required to

participate in and complete the following mandatory induction programs
conducted by the Staff Development & Training Unit (SDTU), Human
Resources Division, unless other arrangements are agreed:
• Flinders Foundation of University Teaching Program (FFOUT) for all new
academic staff (http://www.flinders.edu.au/teaching/support/teaching-
staff/support-for-new-teaching-staff/flinders-foundation-of-university-teaching.cfm)
• Postgraduate Research Supervision Program for all academic staff new to
the supervision of higher degree research students
(http://www.flinders.edu.au/teaching/support/research-education/postgraduate-
supervision/postgraduate-supervision_home.cfm)
• Managing Work Integrated Learning Workshop Program for all staff new to
the coordination of placements
(http://www.flinders.edu.au/teaching/wil/index.cfm)

Normally, the relevant program(s) should be completed within the first year of
employment. Evidence of completion must be included as part of the
documentation (Form D) provided by the staff member to satisfy the
requirements for confirmation of employment, towards the end of her/his
probationary period.

1.2 Academic staff on fixed-term appointments greater than 12 months1 are

required to participate in and complete part of the relevant mandatory induction
program(s) as outlined below, unless other arrangements are agreed:
• Part 1 of the Flinders Foundation of University Teaching Program (FFOUT)
for all new academic staff (http://www.flinders.edu.au/teaching/support/teaching-
staff/support-for-new-teaching-staff/flinders-foundation-of-university-teaching.cfm)
• 2 Core Workshops of the Postgraduate Research Supervision
Program for all academic staff new to the supervision of higher degree
research students
(http://www.flinders.edu.au/staffdev/courses/teach/research_resources.htm)
• 1 Core Component of the Managing Work Integrated Learning
Workshop Program for all staff new to the coordination of placements
(http://www.flinders.edu.au/teach/t4l/practicum/index.php)

1 Not applicable for research-only appointments

Staff members will be required to provide evidence of attendance at or
participation in the above elements of the relevant program(s) for purposes of
confirmation of employment at the end of the probationary period.

The remainder of the relevant program(s) should be completed within the first
year of employment.
2 Exemptions

2.1 Flinders Foundation of Teaching Program (FFOUT)

It may be appropriate in special circumstances to exempt a staff member from
all or part of the Flinders Foundation of University Teaching Program, in
recognition of significant teaching experience or recent training.

2.1.1 Criteria for exemption

Full Exemption – A staff member can be fully exempted if s/he has completed
a similar foundations in teaching program from another university and is able to
provide evidence of completion.

Part Exemption – A staff member can receive part exemption if s/he submits a
portfolio demonstrating teaching competence based on:
• Several years of full responsibilities in a full academic teaching post
including topic co-ordination, topic design, teaching, assessment and
evaluation
• Satisfactory peer and student reviews
• Leadership in teaching and learning
• Scholarly work in teaching such as publications, awards, leadership in
curriculum and teaching development

An up-to-date curriculum vitae will normally form part of the portfolio.

2.1.2 Process
Participation in the FFOUT program should be discussed by the staff member
with her/his supervisor within the first month of appointment, as part of
establishing training requirements required to fulfil probation conditions. While
the onus is on the staff member to provide the case for full/part exemption, it is
up to the supervisor to determine whether an exemption should be sought.

Exemptions will be approved by the Executive Dean on the recommendation of

the Director, Academic Development, SDTU, to whom a case for full/part
exemption should initially be submitted by the staff member, together with
confirmation of the supervisor’s support. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor
(Academic) will approve exemptions for staff located in non-academic units,
and, if needed, will have final authority for determining exemptions. Executive
Deans and the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) will advise SDTU of any
exemptions approved.

This process should occur as early as possible so that the staff member and
supervisor are clear about what training, if any, needs to be completed within
the probationary period.

Towards the end of probation, as part of the formal documentation provided to

satisfy the requirements for confirmation of employment, the staff member will
need to include evidence of any full or part exemption that has been granted.

2.2 Other exemptions

Exemptions from other mandatory programs will be dealt with on a case-by-
case basis and will be approved in accordance with 2.1.2.

3 Academic Orientation Program

 In addition to the above mandatory induction programs, all new academic staff are
expected to attend the Academic Orientation Program
(http://www.flinders.edu.au/staffdev/enrol/courses.php?FAE), also conducted by SDTU.

vmw:9Jun09 File Ref: EK/28/3