Using Custom Designed Software for Planning Training

Describe what it is you teach, and how you have incorporated strategies that make it an example of flexible learning.

At CIT Fyshwick we cover a range of courses in relation to the Metal and Engineering Training Package. For example, training now includes on and off the job assessment.

Because training is so closely tied to pay and classification in the workplace, because a number of our students are mature age students with recognised upfront skills, because many students come to CIT with previous skills that can be RPL'd and because it is difficult to achieve cost effective class sizes for a single stage, we decided of necessity to run flexible delivery classes. This does not necessarily infer self-paced but can mean a number of things such as flexible entry and exit points, and students undertaking different modules in the same class.

In the early stages we formed a partnership with another TAFE to share resources as they had to make similar changes. One of our teachers developed and set up a flexible learning centre (Engineering) on our campus. This has taken many hours of work in setting up attendance procedures, learning strategies, workbooks and exercises.

The introduction of training packages in 2000 added another dimension to our delivery strategy. Training packages are a smorgasbord of competency units that industry dictates re the units of competence they want covered in a training plan. We are using the national module alignment (ATVS) to map modules to competency units. To assist us with planning training within this framework we are now using a product developed by NSW TAFE, Skills Pro Generator.

What prompted you to start using Skills Pro Generator?

Here, we have the resources to deliver a range of modules that relate to a certain number of competency units within the training package. The structure and construction of training plans can be very complex and we saw the need for a tool to help us through this maze. In addition to this, our teachers are now required to establish training plans with individual employers and in some cases this is done on the job. Another role our teachers are becoming involved with is carrying out task analysis on site. This involves mapping processes and standards to those processes. All this added to the teacher's duty of conducting classes has certainly increased the pressure on the teachers.

To help with this we turned to NSW TAFE with whom we have a strong working relationship. We regularly exchange ideas and information with staff in the Manufacturing and Engineering Division of TAFE. It is with this section that we find considerable help and advice. They had developed a program to help cut through the complexities. This program is a specially designed database that:

• Constructs Metals and Engineering Training plans up to Diploma level.
• Prints out Training Plans
• Prints out RPL documents for individual modules
• Has all of version 3 of the competency standards imbedded in it.
• Has a number of National metals modules (various pathways) aligned to each unit of competence
• Has all of the training plan rules imbedded in it.

With the SkillsPro Generator, we can develop individualised training programs for our students. We can interview students, and enter the information they provide about their existing competency to do a skills audit. We can also enter what their workplace requirements are, what they need to be able to do, and the program will generate the competencies they need to achieve, the modules they need to complete in order to achieve those competencies and any modules that are pre-requisites. All the rules and requirements of the training packages are built into the program and so are taken into account when the student's training program is generated.

There is no other software package available that does what the Skills Pro Generator does. The program itself is easy to manipulate and virtually all of the features are from teacher's suggestions. This product has saved us time and money over the period we have used it. We are able to construct training plans on the fly whilst talking to customers on the phone. It allows us to model various combinations when setting up training plans.

How did you get started? What resources did you use? Were there any new skills you had to acquire? What kind of support or help did you get?

We actually had to operate "off the cuff". We attended a staff development workshop in NSW and then started using the Skills Pro Generator. The new skills we had to acquire were:

• Liaison techniques with clients
• Making videos for flexible delivery
• Learning the structures of the various training plans (The SkillsPro Generator was invaluable with this).

What kind of response have you had from students?

Our student survey results are varied. As with all things some people cope well with task directed activities where others cope better with teacher centred (step-by-step activities). We believe we are providing our students with a sound educational learning environment. Ideally the step-by-step approach is the preferred option and where viable this option will be provided. Using the SkillsPro generator allows us to provide each student and their employer a detailed plan before and during their training. Our students have direction and there has been no adverse comment.

What are the benefits of using Skills Pro?

The major benefit of Skills Pro is that it is a time effective way to individualise training programs. Our students can spend time on learning the exact skills they need for their particular situation. Students can study modules from different training packages if it suits their needs. Without a program like this it would be much too time consuming to create such individualised programs, as we cover a number of different training packages with quite a complex structures.

I defy anyone to construct a training plan complete with aligned modules, allowing for illegal combinations and adhering to the structures set out in the policy guidelines etc in the time it takes us without such a tool. It's invaluable.

What are the disadvantages of using Skills Pro?

None that we can think of.

What have you found helped teachers when they first started using Skills Pro?

This program is also a very useful tool to help experienced and novice teachers alike in understanding the many structural rules that apply to each training plan level. In other words this tool every time it is used helps staff develop the teacher regarding Training Plans.

What problems have you encountered as a teacher using Skills Pro?

We at times may find a bug in the program but the support service has been first class in rectifying the fault and in some cases making the trip to Canberra to help with any problems we have had. The program is menu driven and is quite user friendly to use and navigate.