Equipment Upgrades 2009-2010

February 2009

To: Superintendents of School Divisions

RE:Technical Vocational Equipment Upgrade Grant 2009 - 2010

Dear Colleagues:

The Technical Vocational Initiative (TVI) will provide $700,000 for technical vocational program equipment upgrade funding for the 2009-2010 school year. Professional Development funding has been increased by $25,000 to a total of $125,000 for 2009-2010.

These funds will support school divisions wishing to upgrade or acquire new technical vocational equipment to ensure technical vocational program outcomes provide students with skills that are consistent with current industry/business standards. At the same time, the increased professional development funding will support activities that contribute to teacher currency with industry standards and result in improved student learning outcomes.

Eligibility criteria and application process for the "Technical Vocational Equipment Upgrade Support” and “Professional Development Support” for 2009-2010 are outlined below. Please note that equipment and professional development funding applications are separate submissions.

Proposal Characteristics

Equipment funding is available to Manitoba schools offering technical vocational programming. Professional development support funding does not have to be related to equipment upgrades and may be of a cross curricular or interdisciplinary nature. Proposals should include the following characteristics:

• show evidence of an existing or emerging technical vocational education need
• support educational outcomes that are consistent with current industry/business standards
• involve industry, post-secondary and community based consultation where appropriate
• where feasible, address articulation with industry/business and post-secondary partners
• professional development activities should be innovative, promote awareness of trade developments and currency,  lead to improved student learning outcomes
• identify coherence with overall school and school division planning and programming.

Funding proposals may be submitted on behalf of multiple school sites.  Maximum equipment funding per school is $72,000, of which up to $12,000 may be used for professional development support. (A separate professional development application and budget must be attached.)

When preparing applications to the fund, please use the information and application forms provided.

Adjudication Process

A review committee will assess applications and provide proposal recommendations. Please send two (2) copies of your completed and signed funding application to:

Equipment Upgrades
Technical Vocational Initiative
330 – 800 Portage Avenue
Winnipeg, Manitoba R3G 0N4

Deadline for submission of applications is April 15, 2009.

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions by May 19, 2009.

If you require additional information or assistance in preparing an application, please contact Dan Lemieux, TVI Consultant, at 945-0420 (toll free 1-800-282-8069 ext. 0420) or via email at daniel.lemieux@gov.mb.ca.

Yours sincerely,

original signed by

Peter Narth
Executive Director