Training You Can Trust

Tim Harris, co-Director of Blue Dog Training recently took part in the E-learning for Business 2009 conference. Over 130 delegates attended E-learning for Business 2009, which aimed to provide VET practitioners and industry representatives with real life examples of how utilising e-learning can benefit training.

Tim's talk raised some eyebrows and challenged some in the audience. He believes that most industry people, employers and students could readily detect invalid online training methodolgies - methodologies that are common and are still being created by the VET sector. He said that because of this, industry, employers and students were losing confidence in the training industry, as the end result of some training did not provide the outcomes that were expected. He used the analogy that while we as users may have preferences in a particular make of automobile, generally we have faith in the automobile industry to provide us with vehicles that do what we expect them to do; for this reason, we largely have faith in, and trust this industry.

Students expect to learn, and industry expects that trained persons should have the knowledge and skill to perform to industry standards after completing their training. Just as we expect that the automobile industry will investigate, embrace and utilise new technologies that will enhance their products, the training industry should embrace technologies and methodolgies that enhance - not detract from the outcome of the training.

Tim reminded the audience that good education and training is good education and training - no matter the mode of delivery. He also stressed that it was the responsibility of VET practitions to understand the new technologies they are now using, and to recognise when these technologies were not being used in a valid way.

Blue Dog Training's experience is that employers will embrace innovation in training, so long as the quality of the training is not diminished. We have developed our courses so that they include modern technology that enhances the student's training, especially when combined with practical training.