Case studies Changes ahead for VET trainers and assessors

Case studies Changes ahead for VET trainers and assessors

Case study: VET practitioner LLN skills Queensland program This document accompanies the resource Changes Ahead for VET trainers and assessors. Background The VET Development Centre within the Queensland Department of Education, Training and Employment (DETE) engaged with the issue of LLN requirements of the Queensland VET workforce in an exploratory approach. While there was broad acceptance that practitioners lacked the required skills in the area to address the range of learning needs, the limitations of budgets, time and resources in a demanding budgetary environment called for a targeted and creative approach. Symposium were held around the state canvassing views amongst practitioners, managers and others to isolate the key areas of skill shortage and to identify mechanisms that responded creatively to identified needs. This particularly had to recognize the geographic issues impacting upon development programs in Queensland. These symposium identified that the key focus needed to be the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF), both an understanding of the framework and the acquisition of skills to apply it to the classroom and the workplace. 2

Program The VET Development Centre designed a program to address these identified needs that encouraged organic development. The structure was as follows: 1. Raise the skills of lead practitioners 2. Establish lead practice groups 3. Support ongoing skill development and best practice approaches Raise the skills of lead practitioners Workshops were coordinated in 5 key locations around the state to focus on initial skills development. These workshops involved some 80 practitioners from across the state and representing a range of institutions. The focus of these workshops was specifically on the ACSF and targeted: An introduction to the ACSF Broad overview of its structure, design and application Development of basic skills in how to use the framework and integrate into learning programs Establish lead practice groups These practitioners then formed the basis of lead practice groups across the state. These groups were designed to be local, encourage participation and shared learning, and recognise and promulgate good practice. These groups are supported and encouraged to focus activities in the following areas: Language, Literacy and Numeracy (LLN) as the key purpose Understanding and incorporating ACSF into learning programs A focus on entry level candidates Recognition and implementation of Foundation Skills Development of diagnostic tools Developing and sharing tips and tricks for trainers The emphasis is for these groups to focus on process in addressing LLN requirements. In addition, learning resource tools (Moodle) have been established to support sharing of ideas and to encourage creative thinking across groups. Support ongoing skill development and best practice approaches To support this work, the VET Development Centre coordinate a continuous program of formal workshops around the state, engaging advanced practitioners in targeted skills development, to both support learning and to provide encouragement for groups to maintain focus. To date these workshops have looked at: ACSF Foundation Skills Inclusive training techniques 3

Case study: VET practitioner LLN skills South Australia program Background Skills for All is a South Australian government initiative that is changing the way vocational education and training is funded in South Australia. Skills for All has introduced a fundamental change to the State s training system in order to: raise the skills level of South Australians; increase the number of South Australians with post school qualifications; and increase workforce participation. To support these outcomes, DFEEST has implemented an approach to build the capacity of the VET sector, particularly in relation to the development of Foundation Skills, with a strong focus on language, literacy and numeracy skills. The approach includes: implementing a professional development strategy targeting VET practitioners explaining the funding approach included in the new Skills for All student entitlement strategy, trialing a Learner Support Services program. In addition, the professional development strategy will facilitate the implementation of the Foundation Skills Training Package and respond to the AQTF standards requirement for RTOs to provide student support. The recent process for qualifying as a Skills for All provider highlighted significant variations in the interpretation of adequate provision of student support by some RT0s. 4

Program The following case study describes the professional development strategy for building the capacity of VET practitioners and RTOs in South Australia in relation to Foundation Skills. The strategy involves three strands: 1. Targeted workshops for priority industries e.g. health and community services and construction. The workshops are offered to both TAFE SA and private providers delivering the industry qualifications in metropolitan and regional areas. 2. Building Capability in LLN - a program within DFEEST s Leadership for RTOs series; aimed at VET practitioners who have an advanced knowledge of the VET system and may lead or mentor others in the RTO. 3. A network of practitioners with an interest in LLN/ Foundation Skills and who have participated in either of the first two strands. Targeted Industry Workshops The two day workshop is facilitated by a language, literacy and numeracy expert and an industry representative. Based on a program developed by the Meat Industry Training Advisory Council (MINTRAC), under the WELL program, it is a practical introduction to: understanding the LLN requirements of the workplace and Training Packages/Units of Competency using the ACSF indicator tools and their application training and learning strategies/resources for VET practitioners to address LLN issues working with an LLN practitioner LLN support funding (e.g. WELL/Skills for All). Building Capability in LLN The program comprises a series of four one day workshops conducted over a two month period; it aims to develop advanced practitioner skills and to implement change at a system level within the RTO. The program includes: an introduction to the ACSF and its application to the workplace and Training Packages the development and application of indicator tools strategies for trainers to address the LLN needs of learners, including the use of Plain English and development of oral communication skills understanding digital literacy and an introduction to DFEEST s ForwardIT 1 program as a tool for developing digital literacy skills change management strategies RIO case studies e.g. working with LLN experts and assisting enterprises to implement WELL projects. The BC-LLN program also provides information about pathways to other relevant qualifications such as the Diploma of VET, Certificate IV LLN, and Certificates in English Proficiency/TESOL etc. Participants in the program are expected to identify an opportunity to implement change within their own teaching and learning practice and/or within their RTO. The program has also included one to one mentoring to support this. Participants are exposed to leading trainers who model good andragogy and adult learning principles. Information/ resource exchange occurs via a Wiki to reinforce digital literacy understanding/skills. It is a prerequisite for the participants to have a Certificate IV in TAA (minimum) and to be delivering from the relevant industry Training Package(s). 1 ForwardIT is aimed at people new to all things digital, providing easy to understand tutorials on a variety of topics to help them to become more confident online. By mapping the ForwardIT learning resources to accredited training, pathways become available for further study. http://www.forwardit.sa.gov.au/learn/it 5

Network of VET Practitioners Some examples of outcomes from the 2011 BC-LLN programs are: A participant reviewed their RTO s student materials and rewrote the Student Handbook using plain English. That same person then completed the Certificate IV LLN to provide relevant expertise/resources within the RTO A participant developed a student LLN indicator tool and the associated policy for its application across the RTO. It is a prerequisite for the participants to have a (minimum) Certificate IV in TAA and at least two years experience as a VET practitioner. As a result of the Building Capability LLN programs and the industry specific workshops there is a now a network of VET practitioners with an interest in LLN and the broader Foundation Skills. The network will have access through DFEEST s Occasional Series for RT0s 2 to opportunities to exchange information, to discuss current issues (such as the Foundation Skills Training Package, the application of the ACSF in Training Packages etc) and to listen to a range of topical speakers. In addition to delivering the professional development strategy described above, the training support and development team is also supporting RTOs in understanding the opportunities under Skills for All to support their learners who have Foundation Skill needs. For example, under the Skills for All strategy, Foundation Skills are fee free and RTOs are being encouraged through the use of case studies to understand how to source funding to support learners with LLN and employability skills needs 2 The Occasional Series offers contemporary professional development opportunities to different audiences. Topics include current issues and directions such as Skills for All updates and a range of topical speakers. Invitations to these events will be sent throughout the year. 6

Changes ahead for VET trainers and assessors Disclaimer This work has been produced with the assistance of funding provided by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). The views expressed in this work do not necessarily represent the views of DIISRTE. In addition, DIISRTE does not give warranty or accept any legal liability in relation to the content of this work. For further information about any other work being undertaken by Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA), please visit www.ibsa.org.au Innovation & Business Skills Australia Level 11, 176 Wellington Parade East Melbourne VIC 3002 Australia p 03 9815 7000 e reception@ibsa.org.au f 03 9815 7001 w www.ibsa.org.au 2012 Commonwealth of Australia 2012 Commonwealth of Australia 7

Changes ahead for VET trainers and assessors These materials were developed by Innovation & Business Skills Australia in association with the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). Copyright Statement 2012 Commonwealth of Australia This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Australia License. (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/au/) This licence lets you distribute, remix and build upon the work, but only if it is for non-commercial purposes, you credit the original creator/s (and any other nominated parties) and you license your derivative works under the same terms. The copyright of any adaptations and/or modifications to this material remains with the Commonwealth of Australia. Adapted and/or modified materials must have the Innovation and Business Skills Australia logo removed from the work, and the following attribution made: This is a modified document based on materials prepared by Innovation and Business Skills Australia Ltd, the original of which can be found on the IBSA website http://www.ibsa.org.au. Disclaimer While care has been taken in the preparation of this material, DIISRTE and the original developer do not warrant that any licensing or registration requirements specified here are either complete or up-to-date for your State or Territory. DIISRTE and the original developer do not accept any liability for any damage or loss (including indirect and consequential loss) incurred by any person as a result of relying on the information contained in this material. The Commonwealth, through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, does not accept any liability to any person for the information or advice (or the use of such information or advice) which is provided in this material or incorporated into it by reference. The information is provided on the basis that all persons accessing this material undertake responsibility for assessing the relevance and accuracy of its content. No liability is accepted for any information or services which may appear in any other format. No responsibility is taken for any information or services which may appear on any linked websites. Published by: Innovation & Business Skills Australia Level 11, 176 Wellington Parage East Melbourne VIC 3002 Phone: +61 3 9815 7000 Fax: +61 3 9815 7001 www.ibsa.org.au email: reception@ibsa.org.au First Published: November 2012 Stock code: CP-TAECHGRPTCS ISBN: 978-1-922115-80-5 Print version no: 1 Release Date: November 2012 Printed by: Fineline Printing 130 Browns Road Noble Park VIC 3174 2012 Commonwealth of Australia 8