Employment based training - Australia

This paper by the Australian government, examined two industries (process manufacturing and child care) in attempt to determine the optimum mixture to ensure effective employment based training. The authors found the literature to be consistent with their own case studies.

Key points:

- The Australian arrangements bring many benefits but are also held back due to inconsistent regulatory arrangements, non-compliance by employers and registered training organisations, poor audit processes, variations in the interpretation and practice of competency-based training, and wages and awards.

- What is becoming apparent is the need for a compendium of models, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

- Analysis of successful features in past, current and emerging models of employment-based training highlighted a set of fundamentals for effectiveness. They should be pedagogically sound; lead to quality skill formation; have positive outcomes for both individuals and the enterprises; function effectively; be sustained over time.

- The strength of employment-based training, in pedagogical terms, lies in the provision of experiential learning in workplaces that complements experiences in educational institutions. The five main elements which make this an effective approach to developing vocational competence are experiences of the vocational practice; the duration of the learning contract; expert support; link to formal education; assessment and certification.

- They suggest five models, which are detailed below (click on image to enlarge)