MoVE - Australia

Start 2009

“Top end of the learning scale - There is nothing to lose. All competitors are winners. Just to be selected as one of the top young people in their category they win the opportunity to meet and work beside the best in our nation."

MoVE Australia, a research project modelling vocational excellence, has gathered data primarily from Competitors & Experts and then their Employers, Family and Trainers asking about their experiences and what makes for excellence in skills. The first set of data was gathered at the National Competition held in 2010, the second set of data upon the selection of the International Team, known as the Skillaroos, at the Team Training Camp late 2010 and the third set at the international competition - WorldSkills London 2011.

A partnership project between Dusseldorp Skills Forum, RMIT, WorldSkills Australia and University of Tampere, Finland.

The research project midpoint last year the data informed us that the value – adding role of WorldSkills to the Competitor was that it provided a fast track to professional identity. That WorldSkills enables a shift from ‘novice’ to ‘proficient practitioner’ amplifying self confidence, motivation to succeed, technical skill development, employability skills, contacts & networks and opportunities.  

The role of WorldSkills for the judge/expert was that of providing a platform for life long learning, enabling a shift from ‘proficient practitioner’ to ‘expert.  WorldSkills enhances career options, professional networks, skills, leadership and commitment.

Data collected at WorldSkills London is being currently being analysed and an Australian Case Study will be produced, as part of an international research project by June 2012 – MoVE International.

Research Project Background

Wouldn't it be good if...

• ...we knew how to motivate young people to take up a trade;
• ...we could inspire vocational learners to reach for the stars;
• ...we could alert policy makers to the benefits of investing in vocational learning;
• ...we could get more employers engaged in WorldSkills Australia;
• ...we could centre-stage vocational role models;
• ...we knew more about what it takes to produce high levels of vocational competence?

To address these questions we need:

• to be able to tell young people positive stories about vocational careers;
• ways of demonstrating the benefits of vocational learning;
• evidence for employers about the benefits to their workplaces through participation in a community of excellence;
• to track the processes of skill formation.

In short, we need valid reliable data – which is what the MoVE  Australia research project sets out to achieve.

Hear from the Competitors and Experts….

“You can fly to London for around $2,000.  You can buy Tshirts with AUS in them for around $20.  You can stay in a London hotel for around $200 per night.  You will need $150 per day for costs.  You can bring home photos.  You will not stand out, but get lost in the crowd.  You will have a good time, but on your return, 1 week later, no one will want to hear your stories.  Total costs around $7,000, or in Apprentice overtime terms, about 460 hours of paid overtime.  9 hours per week for a year, starting now.  There is another way!  By entering a WSA Regional competition and doing well in the field you are employed in and will possible spend your whole life in, you could be selected to represent your Region @ the National Competition.  Interstate travel guaranteed!!  By taking up the extra training on offer, success at the National Comp could see you training overseas, being part of Team Australia, travelling overseas as part of the most sensational group of people you will ever meet, as a true representative of your country.  That experience is not $7,000, it is priceless!!” Expert, November 2010 – You have been asked to explain the benefits of participating in WorldSkills competitions to a group of potential competitors who are thinking about becoming involved.  What would you tell them?

“I would tell everyone that competing in WorldSkills is the best thing that has ever happened to me to date.  It gives you the chance to represent Australia in your trade, meet new people from all ova the world, gives u the confidence to believe in your self at work and at home and to not doubt your judgment.  It also gives you the chance to network your self within your industry, to gain a name as the best, & lots of respect.” Competitor, November 2010 -  You have been asked to explain the benefits of participating in WorldSkills competitions to a group of potential competitors who are thinking about becoming involved.  What would you tell them?

Research Methodology

MoVe Australia is the first international application of the original MoVE research project, initiated by Dr Petri Nokelainen, from the Centre for Vocational Education and Training Research at the University of Tampere, Finland.

Already a rich vein of data on the WorldSkills experience has been sourced through the attitudinal surveys, multiple choice and demographic questions and presented at the 2010 AVETRA Conference in Melbourne.  

The Move Australia Research was instrumental in gaining support for the international research partnership of MoVE International between WorldSkills Foundation, RMIT University, University of Tampere, SKOPE Oxford University, Dusseldorp Skills Forum, Skills Finalnd, UK Skills and WorldSkills Australia.

Resources

• MoVe Australia Background Roundtable June 2011
  
  
• MoVE Australia Key Websites June 2011
  
  
• MoVE Australia Presentation Roundtable June 2011
  
  
• MoVE Australia Report Roundtable June 2011
  
  
• AVETRA 2011
  Modelling of Vocational Excellence: An International Perspective
  
  
• WorldSkills International General Assembly presentation, Jamaica 2010
  Overview of data collected to November 2010
  
  
• MoVE at 2010 WorldSkills National Competition
  
  
• Presentation to WorldSkills International, Calgary 2009
  Characteristics that typify Successful Finnish WorldSkills Competition Participants
  
  
• ECER 2008
  A Case study of Finnish WorldSkills Competition Participant.

Further information

Judy Turnbull
Project Partnerships
Dusseldorp Skills Forum
judy@dsf.org.au
Ph: 02 8007 6303

Dr Helen Smith
Office of the Director TAFE
RMIT
helen.smith@rmit.edu.au
Ph: 0411 737 632