Short course: effect on industrial relations knowledge

This research examines the question of whether a general industrial relations course taught at TAFE over short duration provides any significant change in student knowledge about the material covered and its relevance for their particular trade school.

It was hypothesised that the teaching of the 'Industrial Relations and Apprenticeship Module', taught to all pre-apprentices and apprentices enrolled in trade courses at New South Wales TAFE colleges, would have a significant positive effect on the relevant knowledge base of a group of TAFE students. That is, that the present module is effective in meeting its stated objectives.

The study is based on a pre-test/post-test design and pre-apprenticeship students are the subjects. The results indicate that there is no value, in terms of providing a lasting knowledge base about industrial relations matters for students, from teaching the module in its present form. Implications, in terms of the effectiveness of such general, short duration courses, are discussed.

This research examines the question of whether a general industrial relations course taught at TAFE over short duration provides any significant change in student knowledge about the material covered and its relevance for their particular trade school.

It was hypothesised that the teaching of the 'Industrial Relations and Apprenticeship Module', taught to all pre-apprentices and apprentices enrolled in trade courses at New South Wales TAFE colleges, would have a significant positive effect on the relevant knowledge base of a group of TAFE students. That is, that the ...  [+] Show more