Clayton, Berwyn and Blom, Kaaren (2004) What works where you are? A snapshot of training in five rural communities. In: The 7th Australian VET Research Association Conference : "Learner & Practitioner - the Heart of the Matter", 17-19 March 2004 , Rydges Eaglehawk Resort, Canberra.

Abstract

It has been widely reported in recent years that Australia’s regional and rural communities have extensive needs for skill development. Vocational education and training can assist these communities to develop the necessary skills to enable them to survive and to prosper in a social and economic environment transformed by globalisation, national policies and regulatory imperatives. The purpose of this research was to investigate the implementation of training packages in rural areas and the ways in which providers, community and industry stakeholders interact to achieve positive training outcomes. The major drivers of training in the five communities examined in this study were the same as those that influence training activity throughout regional and metropolitan Australia. National training policy, industry skill requirements and state government initiatives played paramount roles in determining what and how training was delivered. Considerable influence was also brought to bear by the market, which dictated the focus, direction and form that training was to take. Thin markets and the small numbers engaging in training constantly challenged providers of vocational education and training servicing these rural communities. While competition policy has elsewhere engendered a healthy training market, it can be more productive for providers in rural communities to collaborate in order to deliver the most effective vocational education and training. This study found evidence of extensive collaboration between stakeholders in rural communities, where networking and partnerships have allowed resource and information sharing, avoidance of unproductive duplication of effort, and positive outcomes for providers, learners, enterprises and the communities. The study suggests that policies and incentives that support enhanced collaboration will assist in the broadening of training possibilities in non-metropolitan Australia, and better meet the needs of rural learners.

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