E-Learning for Industry
ASSDA – SkillsTech Australia
Maurits Gustavsson
Business Manager
(Education Development Research Modelling)
7/11/2007

Background
• Currently Queensland is
experiencing a significant
resource boom resulting in
pressure being applied to all
aspects of industry. Particularly
the heavy industrial sector.
• Consequently the demand for
skilled labour is at a 10 year
high.
• The stainless steel industry is a
niche market that, until recently
has been limited to highly skilled
and experienced practitioners.

Resource boom and training
• The increased demand on labour in Queensland
has placed excessive demand on training
institutions for the development of qualified and
skilled workers.
• These include both apprentices and existing
tradespersons expanding their portfolio.
• Multi-skilling the existing workforce is also being
sought as a possible solution to human resource
shortages.

Capacity of RTO’s
• Apprenticeship numbers in QLD
on average are increasing by
approximately 24% per annum.
• Some trade areas are increasing
by as much as 36% per annum.
• Therefore total apprentice intake
numbers are doubling every 3 to
4 years.
• With this growth, the capacity for
training organisations such as
SkillsTech Australia to
accommodate student number
growth, using current delivery
strategies, is challenged.

Delivery alternatives
• SkillsTech Australia is seeking to expand the
delivery options available to students by embracing
contemporary techniques and technology.
• Establishing partnerships with enterprises and other
private and public RTO’s is essential in the struggle
to accommodate demand.
• Access to “best practice” delivery and assessment
resources is equally as important.

E-Learning for Industry
• This project allows for the
development of contemporary
learning materials utilising
technologies that enhance the
educational experience of the
learner.
• Additionally, the platform for
delivery (can be delivered via the
internet) allows for learning to
occur external to a formal training
facility for students that are
capable of self directed learning.

The role of SkillsTech Australia in the
project
• ASSDA have been the leader in development
of this project in all aspects.
• SkillsTech Australia have supplied support
where required by ASSDA including:
– Access to facilities
– Supply of resources
– Performing mapping to endorsed components of
Training Packages

Outcomes
• Learning resources to support
the activity of performing a butt
weld on stainless steel using Gas
Tungsten Arc Welding.
• Resources are able to be utilised
in many ways including via the
internet or within a teacher lead
classroom.
• The resource includes:
– Text
– Video
– Annimations
– Interactive components
– Photographs and images
– Etc.

Videos

Animations

Interactive components

Difficulties encountered
• Industry variations in welding practices made it hard
to determine which of the industry practices to
include.
• Being able to adequately capture the welding
process with a video camera. The radiation and the
light intensity of the “arc” proved challenging.
• Animations were developed to supplement video
footage demonstrating aspects of the welding
process that proved too difficult to capture with
adequate clarity.

Benefits to the learners
• The ability to supply an additional
resource that capitalises on
alternative learning styles.
• Learners can access materials
such as this that provides both
an introduction to the stainless
seel welding process and a
reference for more experienced
welders to call upon.
• The resource allows the learner
to examine the welding process
with a greater clarity than is
possible in “real life” and in “real
time”

Future plans
• SkillsTech Australia
remains passionate in
developing relationships
and partnerships with
Industry.
• Future activities with
partnered organisations
such as ASSDA are both
desirable and essential in
meeting the demands on
the VET sector in QLD.

Questions