Symposium (Part A): Building the Capability of VET providers

Project website at http://consortiumresearchprogram.net.au
Reports from research consortium who have been working on NCVER research this year - through the consortium they have been tackling a variety of issues and much collaboration between the focus areas. Final phase will be a series of dissemination forums in which the products and tools will be tested and evaluated.

Visions for RTO Capability Through a consultation process looked for input about workforce Challenges and Imperatives. Themes that emerged were - workforce changes, technology, open training markets, policy changes and changes in learner demands. Agility of organisations was about HR, quality and IT systems being more flexible. Renewal of workforce through better planning, recruitment for technical AND educational expertise or planning to assist new teachers to become good teachers. Casualisation of the workforce has created different issues - need to be better at managing the HR processes. Becoming 'employer of choice' not necessarily related to $ but other working conditions such as being able to work from home. Balancing complexities and opportunities in VET Purpose to identify critical issues in teaching and learning. Literature review available on the website, along with another paper on networks in VET and a number of case studies are to be added shortly.

Complexities -> Opportunities

Customisation - to what extent and who pays?
Personalisation - more than an individual plan

Need to pay attention to different learner groups, varied ways that learning can take place in the workplace, and develop partnerships with enterprises. Sustaining the partnerships is extremely demanding. Case studies are being used to delve further into these critical issues. Boutique RTOs emerging to serve niche needs.
Central West Community College Food processing example to hunt out.

So in this environment what are the skills that VET practitioners need?
Training Packages, Technology, Supporting Workplace Learning.

Assessment - need more refined skills, the process, RCC etc

Ways to develop skills need to be varied, and can include workbased learning - which seems to fit this new world.

Critical success factors-
adopting new work roles such as facilitator, learning manager, coach. Very easy to say, but another to achieve it.

promotion of creativity rather than compliance, changes in policy, developing teaching and learning resources, providing PD. "innovators driven by passion that is priceless"

Complexities are not reducing, but multiplying - VET practitioners can be innovative and creative given appropriate supports.

Posted by Kirsty at December 14, 2005 02:17 PM in rwl2005