Working From Our Strengths

1
Working From Our Strengths

Using e-learning to recognise knowledge and
competence in Indigenous enterprise training and
development
2
Indigenous enterprise training

• developing strong local economies
• links to COAG and bilateral agreements
• recognising enterprise based work and knowledge
• building on existing strengths
• mentoring entry level enterprise owners
• responsive approaches to training and
  recognition.

3
Objectives

• develop an effective recognition of prior
  learning (RPL) and recognition of current
  competence (RCC) e-tool that recognises the
  knowledge that is developed and owned by that
  enterprise
• the tool can be used to support Indigenous
  enterprise operators need to map the development
  of a training plan with their current and
  potential staff
• participants undertook a RPL and RCC process that
  reflected the work undertaken in communities and
  locally based enterprises using
• digital photographs, videos and stories
• visual and written competency procedures using
  local languages
• e-portfolios
• networking and planning through Sharepoint
• dissemination through the Top End Groove website.

4
Objectives cont.

• The qualifications tested were identified with
  participants
• Certificate IV Training and Assessment
• Certificate IV in Cultural Tourism
• The final DVD outlines
• the process for developing a training plan with
  an Indigenous enterprise team
• ways to use e-tools to collect evidence to apply
  for undertake RPL and RCC
• examples of successful e-applications for RPL and
  training plans
• examples of customised training programmes
  developed with Indigenous enterprises using
  e-tools
• testimonials from participants about the efficacy
  of the approach.

5
Northern Australia
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Engaging workshops

• making RPL purposeful and accessible
• recognising life learnt skills as competence
• evidence gathering through discussion, stories,
  work documents and photos
• map competencies to peoples skills
• compile evidence using e-tools
• training in using digital stories and e-portfolio
• turning skills gaps into training plans
• empowering champions.

7
Final resource and outcomes

• driven and tested by established and emerging
  enterprise owners
• examples of RPL applications across a range of
  units
• training notes to replicate trainingRPL/evidence/
  e-tools
• examples of available e-tools to collect evidence
• examples of evidence eg digital stories and
  e-portfolios
• examples of building training plans to meet gaps.
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• reflective stories about RPL processes from
  students, mentors and instructors
• identifying key underpinning issues for
  e-learning in RPL
• references to other resources
• link to Top End Groove website and other projects
• employment outcomes and dissemination.

8
Outcomes

• e-tool supported by participants, registered
  training organisations and supervisors
• increased sense of confidence and interest in
  training and recognition of knowledge
• participants were aware of the assessors
  expectations and produced well organised evidence
• participants continued to complete their
  qualifications.

9
Outcomes cont.

• several large projects have requested to use the
  e-tool in 2008 in remote community enterprise
  training and development
• need to offer professional development to VET
  staff in Working from Our Strengths approach and
  RPL e-tool
• CDU to adopt WFOS approach, also supported by KCT
  in Indigenous Education Unit.

10
Issues

• Some delays
• family issues for most of the project team
• need to change NT site and project champions
  role
• participants lack of availability due to extended
  tourist season to be involved in testing final
  resource
• finalising and confirming final resource to be
  completed by Jan 2008

11

• Thank you!