Businesses and workplaces are very different to how they were 10, even just 5 years ago. Critics of our national training system suggest competencies are out of date. Are they? Or, is it our approaches to learning and our understanding of what constitutes training that is now out of step with the needs we claim to address? At what point do the national VET system, workforce development needs and culture of organisational learning intersect? Siemens and Wegner, familiar to VET practitioners on the Australian conference circuit 2005-2006, promote connectivism-network learning theory, and communities of practice respectively as relevant alternatives to traditional classroom learning. In this presentation, Barb McPherson a veteran of six Australian Flexible Learning Framework initiatives since 2002 considers ten challenges to workforce development and how RMT is responding and preparing for change.

1. 10 challenges for workforce development River Murray Training Pty Ltd Presenter: Barb McPherson

3. Knowledge Organisations Learners Business VET system

4. George Siemens Charles Jennings Thomas A Stewart Knowledge

5. Knowledge Thomas A Stewart: “The Wealth of Knowledge” New economy 1) Knowledge has become what we buy, what we sell and what we do . It is the most important factor of production. 2) Knowledge assets (intellectual assets) have become more important to companies than financial and physical assets. 3) To prosper in this new economy and to exploit these newly vital assets, we need new vocabularies, new management techniques, new technologies and new strategies

7. Knowing & Know-how George Siemens: “Knowing Knowledge” 1) Knowledge sources are changing . We are the filters, mediator the weaver knowledge 2) Morality and ethical discussions are trailing behind progress of science and technology. 3) Societal trends change the environment in which knowledge exists

8. Knowledge 1) Amount of knowledge 3) Digital nature of knowledge challenges 2) Speed with which it changes

9. Knowledge challenges impacts Amount of knowledge Speed with which it changes Digital nature of knowledge

10. Thomas Friedman Thomas A Stewart Business

12. Business Thomas Stewart: “the Wealth of Knowledge” A community of practice A place to keep knowledge asset A help desk (a librarian) (to tour newbies and visitors so they don’t irritate the regulars; and who keep the knowledge asset current.) A primer – a quick introduction to the body of knowledge Knowledge artefacts – connections and collections. A bulletin Board – to ask Does anybody know A Doorway – a link between the rest of the organisation and the knowledge asset. Creating knowledge assets

13. 4) Changing shape of businesses 5) Global relationships, economy Business challenges

14. Changing shape of business Business impacts Global relationships, economy

15. Davenport & Prusak Peter Senge Organisations

18. 6) a skilled and adaptable workforce is the only competitive advantage 7) Attitude to organisational learning and knowledge management challenges Organisations challenges

19. a skilled and adaptable workforce is the only competitive advantage Attitude to organisational learning and knowledge management challenges Organisations impacts

20. George Siemens Malcolm Knowles Learners

23. 8) Learner characteristics challenges Learners challenges

24. Learner characteristics Learners impacts Baby boomers, Generations x, y and z Learning styles – JIT, just enough, multi-tasking, Networked learning Life-long learning Repackage knowledge created by others Will move into many different fields over lifetime

25. VET system

26. 9) Bureaucratic and political processes VET system challenges 10) Keeping up with Challenges 1-9

27. Bureaucratic and political processes Keeping up with Challenges 1-9 VET system impacts Are we training in the right skill sets? Decision-making on VET policy? Needs based learning? Does AQTF support innovative RTO practices?

28. 10 challenges 1) Amount of knowledge 2) Speed with which it changes 3) Digital nature of knowledge 5) Global relationships, economy 4) Changing shape of businesses 5) a skilled and adaptable workforce is the only competitive advantage 6) Attitude to organisational learning 9) Bureaucratic and political processes 10) Keeping up with Challenges 1-9 7) Learning preferences 8) Generational characteristics – baby boomers, Gen X, Gen Y, Gen Z, and the

29. Thank you River Murray Training Pty Ltd Presenter: Barb McPherson [email_address] 0417824442