The PIAA and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union has released the first Future Print online training resource program, which negates the need for apprentices to be off-site to get trained. Future Print Training Approaches project officer Michelle Lees, who has overseen the development of the online components for the initiative, says the move will allow the delivery of flexible, blended training integrated with an apprentice’s work, delivering consistent results and reducing the need for apprentices to be off-site.
Future Print Training Approaches project officer Michelle Lees
Lees says, “Today’s training models need to reflect the needs of our rapidly changing industry, and should be delivered in a way which makes the best use of current delivery methods. “It is important for us to ensure that the training effectively equips the apprentice to do their job and meet their qualification requirements, but it is equally important that we recognise the need for businesses to meet the real imperatives of productivity and profitability. “Being able to deliver components of an apprentice’s training online is, we believe, a vital component of a successful training model for the future.” Lees says the new modules were developed following consultation with the five Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) delivering print training across the country that are Future Print partners. She says, “They helped define future training needs and identify the most useful e-learning modules to be incorporated into the early stages of an apprenticeship. “Future Print then worked closely with Innovation and Business Skills Australia (IBSA) to develop the first eight units of competency that met the identified requirements and could be used as a pilot.” The result is the release of the initial eight online training modules covering a number of core units across Certificate 2, 3, 4 and 5 including: · Participate in environmentally sustainable work · Communicate in the workplace · Inspect quality against required standards · Maintain a safe work environment · Apply knowledge of print production (please note this is a consolidated unit) · Introduction to colour management · Manage digital files · Set up and produce basic digital print Lees says Future Print is now developing the next 12 online units and actively looking for additional content to take advantage of the new online capabilities. She says, “We are excited about the potential of online training, which works beautifully as part of the self-paced competency-based training model and is particularly valuable for smaller businesses and those in rural and regional locations. “We are confident these new online training modules will provide a valuable complement to the blended learning model being developed under Future Print, which will also incorporate on-site and off-site training to provide truly contemporary apprenticeship learning experience.” Those interested in finding out more about the online components, or about apprenticeships in general, should contact a Future Print advisor through their local PIAA office.
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