Identifying the innovative VET needs of an industry.
In this module, learners will gain an understanding of educational pathways and the concept of innovation in the context of education. They will explore the evolving nature of education and how innovative educational pathways are designed to meet the changing needs of learners in a complex and interconnected world.
The module covers the following topics:
- Educational Pathways
- Innovation in Education
- Modern Learning Approaches vs Traditional Modes
- Industries and Innovative Educational Pathways
- Determining VET (Vocational Education and Training) Needs
By the end of the module, learners will have a comprehensive understanding of educational pathways, the role of innovation in education, the benefits of modern learning approaches, and how to determine VET needs for specific industries. They will be equipped with the knowledge to navigate and contribute to the changing landscape of education.
What is an educational pathway?
The pathway referenced in the term “educational pathway” is a “metaphor used to describe the range of different routes that learners follow as they move into, through and out of an education and training system” (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 2018). An educational pathway, then, is simply the journey through education, which will vary between individuals depending on the values and norms associated with their points of entry and exit, as well as over the course of their learning.
What is innovation in the context of education?
While educational pathways will look different depending on the individual learner, one thing remains consistent across the vast majority of them: education is changing. Educational institutions now more than ever have been forced to “evolve and adapt to achieve their core mission: to educate students to be successful in a complex and interconnected world that faces rapid technological, cultural, economic and demographic change” (European Commission, 2023). Innovative educational pathways are reimagined educational structures that prioritise new resources and techniques, allowing them to unlock the learning potential of this changing landscape.
Innovative educational pathways vs traditional modes of learning.
Writing for LinkedIn, Learnasyougo (while acknowledging that “both modern and traditional learning have their own importance and place in society”) identifies the following benefits of modern approaches to education (Learnasyougo, 2022):
Modern learning “encourages human-environment interaction”, “promoting a sense of responsibility in students… developing their curiosity and motivating] them”. It focuses on “Individual students’ needs, abilities, and interests” through a “fun and appealing learning process”. Furthermore, the results are more immediately tangible as many innovative systems offer “an overview of students’ skills through the grading system” (Learnasyougo, 2022).
The benefits associated with modern approaches to education don’t completely overrule existing best practice however and are better viewed as an accessory to enhance and build upon the foundation thus far established.
What industries can utilise innovative educational pathways?
Operating off the logic that innovative educational pathways, by their very nature, are designed to shift and reshape themselves according to the best available components, there is little reason to suggest that they cannot be applied across a multitude of industries. Indeed, as employers across all industries are increasingly hiring for key transversal skills that innovative educational pathways are specially equipped to impart, the range of applications for modern education is likely to grow exponentially.
How can we determine the specific VET needs of a particular industry?
As has been explained above, innovative educational pathways can be used across a wide spectrum of industries. But how can we determine the needs of a particular organisation, industry, etc?
Hansen (2021) identifies the fundamental bedrock of innovating an educational pathway for a business as identifying staff knowledge gaps. To this end, he recommends the use of a Training Needs Analysis. There is no reason, though, that this method could not be applied to a broader industry. Below is a summarised template for a five-step plan, drawing on the work of Hansen (2021), that could theoretically be used to discover the innovative VET needs of an industry.
- Goal Setting
What changes, goals or objectives are the industry in question hoping to achieve?
- Skillset Identification
What knowledge, abilities or skills are needed to achieve the goals? Of these, what competencies do employees currently have? Surveys, assessments, etc, can gauge this.
- Discussion
Speak with employees, from entry-level to executive, and gather casual feedback about their happiness in their jobs, what could be done better, etc. Tension around educational overhauls can be greatly reduced by integrating employee feedback.
- Data Matching
Take all of the data gathered and compare it against the initial goal or set of goals. What are the commonalities? These will represent the core of your industry’s VET needs. It is important at this stage to identify any excess feedback that can be addressed down the line, so that the core educational needs can be given sufficient attention as soon as possible.
- Resource Evaluation
Review the VET resources that you currently have to hand. Are they appropriate for your purposes? Consider what adaptations, improvements, or new additions could be made to bring your suite of training tools and practices up to scratch.
To use this module to its fullest extent, participants are encouraged to watch the tutorial video, read the included articles as well as the variety of case studies relating innovation in education by UNESCO, before engaging in the self-assessment quiz.
In the following video, Kaya Henderson discusses some of the key elements of innovative educational pathways:
Education innovation: Our window of opportunity is here
Link to Hansen’s (2021) article on identifying training needs:
How to Identify Training Needs of Employees - 8 Ways to Start
CPD: Continuing Professional Development. The process of learning and enhancing one’s skills throughout a career.
VET: Vocational Educational Training. Largely work-based, essential skills-training to increase employability and further development.
Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2018) Foundation Education Pathways - Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Diplomatic Academy. Available at: https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/foundation-education-pathways.pdf (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
Education innovation: Our window of opportunity is here (2020) YouTube. Big Think. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7JSmN0ZPZ9s (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
European Commission (2023) Innovation in education, European Education Area. European Commission. Available at: https://education.ec.europa.eu/education-levels/higher-education/innovation-in-education (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
Hansen, M. (2021) How to Identify Training Needs of Employees: 8 Ways to Start, eLearning Industry. Available at: https://elearningindustry.com/training-needs-of-employees-identify-ways-start (Accessed: May 2, 2023).
Learnasyougo (2022) Traditional vs Modern Learning - Which One Is Preferable?, LinkedIn. Learnasyougo. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/traditional-vs-modern-learning-which-one-preferable-learnasyougo (Accessed: April 27, 2023).