The skilling of VET change agents: findings from an evaluation of 11 change agents who were supported by Reframing the Future and funded through the Australian National Training Authority in 2003

This evaluative report describes how a group of Australian vocational education and training (VET) practitioners were able to gain extensive skills and knowledge as change agents through participation in a structured program of guided practice. ‘Change agent’ is defined as ‘anyone involved in initiating or implementing change, whether or not they have an official job title recognising that responsibility’. These 11 practitioners acted as change agents within their own organisations in the VET sector in Australia during 2003, in a pilot project undertaken by Reframing the Future, the...  [+] Show more

This evaluative report describes how a group of Australian vocational education and training (VET) practitioners were able to gain extensive skills and knowledge as change agents through participation in a structured program of guided practice. ‘Change agent’ is defined as ‘anyone involved in initiating or implementing change, whether or not they have an official job title recognising that responsibility’. These 11 practitioners acted as change agents within their own organisations in the VET sector in Australia during 2003, in a pilot project undertaken by Reframing the Future, the national staff development and change management program funded through the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA). The evaluation focuses on six key questions that provide the chapter headings in the report: (1) Why are internal change agents needed in VET? (2) What diagnostic models for change agency are available? (3) What process models for change agency are available? (4) What other skills and knowledge are needed by internal change agents? (5) What are the potential benefits and limitations of internal change agents? (6) Can a VET practitioner learn to be a change agent? The report reveals the need for more VET practitioners to develop expertise as change agents to respond to the challenges created by a demand-driven national training system. The complex nature of the change agent’s role is emphasised and the need for an advanced range of skills and knowledge along with a highly developed sense of judgement to effectively facilitate the change process. The appendix provides snapshots of the change agents’ projects.