For this years’ Forum, we explored the challenges of the training delivery under COVID and the potential opportunities that the VET reform process has for the uptake of agricultural training in the future.
Due to the COVID 19 restrictions, the option to hold a face-to-face forum was not possible. So, the RJSA elected to hosted two webinars in its place.
Webinar 1
The key theme was “The VET Reform Process – What opportunities are there for Agricultural Training?”
42 people representing Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), Vocational Education and Training (VET) stakeholders and government agencies attended this webinar. CEO of Skills Impact Michael Hartman discussed the Vocational Education and Training reform that is currently underway across Australia, as well the trends in the uptake of agricultural training packages.
What issues make the biggest impact on your ability to keep delivering training?
- COVID-19 – its impact on the ability to provide face to face training and being able to adjust training methods and still comply with the training standards. Maintaining student engagement. Students lacking technical skills for online learning.
- Business economics – financial viability to deliver training in thin markets; cost of complying verses low student numbers and availability of instructors; RTO’s ability to deliver to low numbers; cost of resources and or updating resources for low numbers.
- Human Resources – instructor availability and skill sets, ability to deliver online training, ability to deliver up to date training and relevant to industry needs.
What changes would you like to see happen to the VET sector that would support you operating more effectively?
- Need for implementation of the VET Reform Roadmap – lack of flexibility in being able to quickly adjust to training needs, number of qualifications and packaging rules, standardisation and looking to align close with tertiary education.
- Partner with industry- There was strongly expressed need to a two-way interaction with industry. Need to build value in undertaking training. Have greater industry input from actual business owners and real workplaces. Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition
Webinar 2
The key theme was “Adapting Training in Agriculture Learning from COVID!”
Emma Marks from ASQA was the guest presenter. 39 people representing Registered training organisations (RTOs), Vocational Education and Training (VET) stakeholders and government agencies attended this webinar.
At registration, the attendees were asked a number of questions about their training delivery.
What training products (training packages, qualifications, skill sets, units) do you most deliver?
- The participants delivered across the full range of qualifications. Many have business models that undertake training and assessment across a number of industry sectors
Prior to COVID-19, what delivery method/s did you utilise?
- Pre-COVID the participants indicated that 46 per cent were using online and/or blended training. The participants current response is that they are now 80 per cent using online blended training.
Is there anything you would like ASQA to address as part of the presentation?
- Issue and concerns in managing compliance. This included, students were English is not their first language, undertaking practical assessments in lockdown, using digital technologies for training and assessment.
- Adjusting to using Zoom and other online platform for training and still being compliant.
- How to improve the quality of RTO’s and the trainers.
- Understanding that Training service providers have a role to place in influencing change.
- The industry reports were seen as very useful information.
Presentation Feedback
- Overall rating post webinar survey 4+ stars webinar 1
- And 3+ star for webinar 2
- 100 per cent to recommend both to other and attend future webinars
Potential for future workshops
There is interest in future webinars that provide updated industry information.
- Updates on the current and proposed changes in the VET system.
- Assessment requirements for units.
- Information about the different industry sectors.
- How to improve the quality of RTO’s and the trainers.
- Case studies – Industry challenges and solutions in training.
- Ability to have more participant interaction/ discussion sessions, including face to face options.