An e-learning workforce development plan for manufacturing

The Australian Industry Group in collaboration with eWorks, a business arm of Kangan Institute, will look at how e-learning can be used to expand and improve training efficiency in the manufacturing sector. This sector is undergoing a period of significant structural adjustment and this has many implications for skilling. Through the development of an e-learning workforce development plan an efficient split between what needs to be done face-to-face and what can be done on-line will be determined in areas of relevance and demand.

The plan will include an analysis of market information and market segmentation including firmographics, employer and employee readiness for e-learning and market trends. As part of our comprehensive research program, Ai Group has recently conducted a national company survey, a national round of company consultations and an economic analysis of the manufacturing sector and its likely future direction. This research will form the basis of the business plan which will mean that the resources applied to this project can be fully dedicated to exploring e-learning, rather than more general industry issues.

Work needs to be completed over a short period of time which will involve extensive consultation with industry through one-on-one discussions with company representatives and an e-learning survey of manufacturing companies focusing on the key issues around e-learning including the extent to which e-learning is currently utilised, future plans for e-learning, identification of impediments and opportunities, past experiences, technological capacities and suitability of employee skills to effectively utilise e-learning.

The e-learning workforce development plan for manufacturing will be completed by early 2012. This development will be followed by an implementation period and companies interested in taking part in this work are invited to contact Mr Michael Taylor, Project Manager on (03) 9867 0124 or email mtaylor@aigroup.asn.au

This work is being undertaken with the support of the Commonwealth Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.