Geof Hawke

Challenges in achieving vocational skills through workplace leaning: a case study in Aged Care

Levels of aged care have been changing, changing requirements due to changes in government policy, levels of training required, increasing demand.

About 100 small residential homes were selected for a trial of a training program. They were divided into three groups a) satellite broadcasts only b)satellite and flexible learning package and c) flexible learning package only.
Pre- and post- program staff performance ratings for managers to complete.
In this program, satellite training sessions 45 minutes done professionally, hosted and context explained, then expert from industry for specialised session with talking head with some case studies of practice to illustrate points. sessions included group discussion in the aged care home about material covered - and then feed questions back in real time eg by phone or fax and them be answered by expert. Fewer questions were being asked as the program progressed.

Scheduling staff to participate in broadcasts was a real problem for some homes. Each program was broadcast 3 times (second and third were repeats, but questions fielded by experts by phone still)

Satellite program had a lower response rate, and a lot had not participated in the program - because it was all just too hard.
Satellite program group some also went and developed their own training program/material because they did not feel the satellite was enough. Also group b who had combined materials discarded satellite sessions as the flexible learning package duplicated it.

The fact the program was developed was a positive move for the employees.
Competing pressures in the workplace such as providing care and not enough leeway in staff numbers to enable learning programs to operate, finding right person to facilitate the program in house. Despite the fact that the program was for benefit of staff they resisted participating because they saw it as taking away for their prime reason for being at work - to provide care for residents.
Length of the program was an issue due to high staff turnover. Smaller workplaces are unlikely to provide opportunities for accredited training without external support.