Work in Progress
Sustaining the skill base of technical and further educaiton institutes: TAFE managers' perspectives
Summary
- Item:
- 10239
- Title:
- Sustaining the skill base of technical and further educaiton institutes: TAFE managers' perspectives
- Type:
- Managed research project
- Project no:
- NR3021
- Status:
- Finished
- Date commenced:
- 30 July 2003
- Contact:
- Berwyn Clayton
- phone: 03 9919 7158
- email: berwyn.clayton@vu.edu.au
Purpose
The purpose of this research is twofold. Firstly, it seeks to examine the existing strategies that Australian public Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) have in place to maintain the technical currency of their staff delivering VET programs. Secondly, it will examine the mechanisms being employed to transfer corporate knowledge and skills from those with significant expertise and experience to novices entering the sector.
Approach
Qualitative research, including detailed literature review, interview and survey of key senior and middle managers and senior teaching staff in 16 public VET providers
Research questions
1. What strategies are RTOs implementing to ensure that the vocational competency of staff delivering training is current?
2. What succession planning strategies are RTOs implementing to ensure the effective transfer of corporate knowledge and skills?
3. What do CEOs, senior education managers and Human Resource/Staff Development managers within RTOs see as the major facilitators and barriers to the maintenance of vocational competency and the effective transfer of corporate knowledge and skills?
4. What models from within these organizations or other educational sectors or business may be more broadly applicable within Australian VET?
Methodology
Audit of websites and literature review
This will provide a comprehensive overview of relevant information on this topic.
Interviews with senior managers in 16 RTOs
The sample will be drawn from each Australian state and territory and include both metropolitan and regional public providers. It will include CEOs, senior managers and managers responsible for human resources and staff development. These will be conducted face-to-face and by telephone, verified and then analysed.
Survey questionnaire to middle managers and senior teaching practitioners
The questionnaire will be trialled and distributed to the nominated informants by email, to be returned by fax or email and then analysed.
Key issues and emerging themes will be elaborated and a series of models and vignettes described in the final report and its supporting information.
Organisations
The Centre Undertaking Research in Vocational Education (CURVE) at the Canberra Institute of Technology is conducting this research in partnership with the Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work (CREEW) at the University of South Australia.
Established in 1999, CURVE concentrates on research into training delivery, with special emphasis on practice and practitioners. CURVE's research team consists of researchers who all have backgrounds as VET practitioners. Key areas of research have included assessment, client satisfaction, flexible delivery, partnerships, Training Packages and the VET professional. Every year CURVE conducts surveys into client satisfaction and community awareness. As a result, its research team has a strong understanding of client expectations together with the quality requirements as set down in the AQTF. Its web site is at http://www.cit.act.edu.au/about/research/centre
CREEW is a recognised and funded research centre within the University of South Australia. Its website at: http://www.unisa.edu.au/creew/index.htm lists previous projects undertaken which provide the grounding for this study based on the established networks and successful record in VET research developed by CREEW over time.
