Kairys, Moira Rose (2016) Identifying Skills Required for Senior Managers in Vocational Education Training - An Australian Perspective. Other Degree thesis, Victoria University.

Abstract

Senior managers in Australian vocational education training (VET) are an integral part of the success of sector that contributes to Australia's economic growth and business productivity with the delivery of training to almost four million students annually. Senior managers are often promoted from teacher to manager on the basis of practical vocational and teaching experience, rather than their management and leadership skills and are often inadequately trained or prepared for the role of leadership. Therefore, it is important to examine whether senior managers are equipped with the required leadership skills for effective leadership in VET. This thesis utilises a new online survey of 100 senior managers employed in VET in Australia in order to identify the leadership skills required for senior managers by testing the Leadership Skills Strataplex Model (LSSM). The model highlights the importance of four broad leadership skills of cognitive, interpersonal, business and strategic skills. The study also explores the interaction of the skills required for current role, promotion and training provider type. The study conducts an exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to identify broad and specific skills that are perceived as important. The new evidence indicates that (a) the strataplex model is not supported by the data (b) cognitive skills are perceived to be utilised the most, followed by strategic, interpersonal and business skills (c) business skills, problem solving/managing teams skills and strategic skills are identified as the most important skills required for senior managers and (d) skill importance does not seem to depend on training provider type. Australian vocational education is increasingly complex and competitive and training providers need to recognise that the sector requires higher levels of leadership skills. Although cognitive skill requirements are high, senior managers also need higher levels of business, problem solving/managing teams and strategic skills.

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