Despite many years involvement in accredited [vocational education and training] VET, community education providers are often considered as providers of art, craft and pottery classes. This presentation reports on a research project that explores the extent to which community providers are delivering work-based learning and foundation skills. Commissioned by the Department of Education and facilitated by Community Colleges Australia, the project involves a large-scale survey of community education providers followed by semi-structured interviews with a selection of providers. The results... [+] Show more
Despite many years involvement in accredited [vocational education and training] VET, community education providers are often considered as providers of art, craft and pottery classes. This presentation reports on a research project that explores the extent to which community providers are delivering work-based learning and foundation skills. Commissioned by the Department of Education and facilitated by Community Colleges Australia, the project involves a large-scale survey of community education providers followed by semi-structured interviews with a selection of providers. The results show that community providers are very much involved in delivering a range of work-based learning programs including traineeships, apprenticeships, mandatory work-based learning and programs designed for individual business clients. A significant number of community providers demonstrate entrepreneurial flair and daring by conducting a business specifically designed to provide work-based training opportunities such as a cafe, nursery or beauty salon. Challenges and obstacles for community providers delivering work-based learning are explored.
Perhaps less of a surprise is the finding that community providers are very much involved in delivering foundation skills. The research examines the range of conditions and practices used including: the qualifications of trainers; the characteristics of learners; the curriculum/training packages used; classroom and workplace practices; approaches to pedagogy and assessment and outcomes for students. The research fills a gap in our understanding of the role of community education providers in supporting productivity and meeting the foundation skills needs of Australians. The presentation concludes with charting a vision for the value and importance of community education providers in the delivery of VET.
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