The JMA Analytics Model of VET Capability Development, a recently released report from John Mitchell & Associates,** has found that the current skill levels of the average Australian VET trainer and assessor meet only 80% of professional work requirements and that by 2014 this will fall to 62%.

The nexus demonstrated between VET practitioner capability and national productivity, prompted the authors to undertake an independent, large scale quantitative investigation into the educational skill levels of Australian VET trainers and assessors: the National Survey of VET Practitioner Skills. The survey was undertaken in late 2009 and the report presents an analysis of the 2,230 responses received from practitioners in the VET sector.

The report summarises how VET practitioners rate and integrate their professional knowledge and skills.

In the report Mitchell categorises VET trainers and assessors according to their professional learning needs. The special interest for Frameworkers is the category of the Specialist VET Practitioner and the VET Learning and Assessment Specialist. Mitchell describes these practitioners as specialists in the facilitation, organisation and management of learning and assessment that goes beyond the context of either the classroom or the workplace. This includes e-learning and online assessment, as well as distance and off-shore learning.

The model shows that currently advanced practitioners are pre-occupied with e-learning, among a cluster of other challenging skills. Because technology keeps changing and because they are focused on the leading edge of VET practice, advanced practitioners are focused on how to improve those skills that have a technology component. The leading edge of VET practice requires deep understanding of e-learning, for example for the purposes of online assessment, and of flexible learning.

** Dr John Mitchell is a VET Strategist who is well respected for the work he has done both independently and on behalf of federal and state governments in the area of VET workforce development.