News | Blue Dog Training

Flexibility Beats Challenge of Skills Shortages

Published to Industry Updates on Aug 08, 2008

Queensland continues to live up to its Smart State label with its booming economy and record low rates of unemployment. A recent Google trend search has revealed that the Smart State's capital Brisbane has the 4th largest number of participants in elearning in the world. In light of this statistic, maybe Queensland needs a new label - the Smart Learning State.

This e learning statistic comes as no surprise to the professional trainers at Blue Dog Training who see first hand the ease with which apprentices and employers alike adapt to this revolutionary method of learning. BDT is a highly regarded specialist in construction skills training across Queensland. BDT has developed a unique elearning system which meets not only the needs of apprentices but also the expectations of employers.

Construction Skills Queensland Annual Training Plan 2008/2009 has identified 6 Industry Priorities. BDT has taken on the challenge of meeting the need for flexibility of delivery to reduce the skills shortages.

1. Improved Flexibility and Capacity of the Training System The inflexibility of the current training system is consistently raised as a serious concern for industry. In addition, there is anecdotal evidence to suggest that this inflexibility is contributing to the high cancellation levels of apprentices and trainees within the industry. Furthermore, there are genuine concerns that the current system simply lacks the capacity to meet the levels of training required to underpin the current and projected skills needs of the industry.

The Blue Dog model of delivery is all about flexibility for the people that matter the apprentices and the employers. Department of Education Training and the Art's statistics show that 60% of apprentices and trainees currently work for a small to medium enterprise, who often experience difficulty in releasing apprentices for the training required to complete their qualification. When combined, these conditions create an environment in which many apprentices may not complete their training - and therefore will not contribute to the rapidly dwindling supply of skilled labour.

The BDT model of delivery means the employer and apprentice choose when the training is done - the time that best suits them and the needs of the business. This flexibility means that small to medium employers are no longer deterred by the limitations of a rigid training system but encouraged and supported to employ an apprentice. More importantly they are given the training delivery model to see them through to completion without major disruption to their business. Smart solutions that suit the Smart State philosophy and the needs of employers and apprentices in the construction industry.

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