Save the date – industry e-learning on show!

The unpredictable business environment that has characterised 2009 has highlighted the need for industry to engage in both workforce planning and innovative workforce development.

The 2009 Industry E-learning Forum will showcase how 10 industry sectors are choosing to tackle their challenges through e-learning, recognising that staff benefit from consistent, quality training which can be accessed at any time or place.

The industry sectors that will showcase how they are embedding e-learning in workforce development span a diverse group. They include aerodromes, electricity transmission and distribution, water supply, stainless steel fabrication, and retail environments including bakers and independent grocers. 

These industry sectors have been funded by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), to partner with registered training organisations to develop multiple year plans to integrate e-learning into overall workforce development.

Of the 10 industry sectors, six are newly funded sectors in 2009, and four are continuing from 2008.

Each sector is unique in scope and operation, and the forum will showcase how their e-learning strategies will provide a framework in which diverse companies and industry organisations can cooperate on training and workforce
development.

 

The diversity in the funded industry sectors is demonstrated in the Baking and Electrical Supply Industry Sectors.

EE-Oz Training Standards, the Industry Skills Council for the Australian ElectroComms and Energy Utilities industries, is using an industry consultative committee-managed approach to secure the integration of e-learning into the electricity supply industry – transmission and distribution sector. 

It aims to develop a national model for cross-sector collaboration for the development of e-learning resources to support workforce development and training across the sector.

Conversely, the baking industry is focusing on an industry-led approach, predominantly managed by small business. Research conducted by the industry has shown deficiencies within the workforce that can be directly attributed to workers with poor skills or knowledge of correct working procedures.

The Baking Manufacturing Industry Association of Australia sees this funding as an opportunity to implement a workforce development strategy to develop a culture of positive attitudes towards training and development, using e-learning to ensure practical, accessible and accredited training is available to all businesses.

The 2009 Industry E-learning Forum will be a valuable opportunity for businesses and industry sectors to learn about innovative e-learning practices.

To register for updates about the forum, email industry [at] @flexiblelearning.net.au (Please replace at with @ to use the email address).

For information about E-learning for Industry visit the website: http://industry.flexiblelearning.net.au. This website provides rich resources, such as the online Practical guide to e-learning for industry where employers can discover how to make e-learning work in their business. You can also access the 2009 Guidelines for supporting learners using e-learning in workplaces report which investigates a range of e-learning strategies used by businesses that have received Framework funding over the past few years.

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Published on 18/06/2009