ALA

A collection of innovative new e-learning resources will provide education and training assistance to some of Australia’s most critical industries. Funded by the national training system’s e-learning strategy, the Australian Flexible Learning Framework (Framework), the Series 11 Flexible Learning Toolboxes (Toolboxes) are responding to the needs of Australian industries. Toolboxes are high quality, cost effective interactive e-learning and assessment resources featuring scenarios, images and activities that simulate real life. All Toolboxes support nationally endorsed training packages and are designed for use by registered training organisations, business and industry. In 2008, Series 11 Toolboxes will be developed for the following industry areas: Water IndustryFlows will provide learners with a foundation for sustainable water use practices and understandings of water use within the community, as well as supporting Certificate I in Water Sustainability, a newly developed qualification that introduces users to the water industry. Community Services IndustryHelp from Within (Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients) will provide a multimedia learning environment combining advice and information from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members as well as both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal health practitioners working with Indigenous peoples. The emphasis will be on providing learners with insight into Indigenous health practices and issues.  Business Service IndustryThe main focus of the Be Your Own Boss Toolbox will be to equip the learner with the skills and knowledge necessary to assemble a micro business proposal. To build up to this, learners complete a number of learning activities guided by a range of case studies examining profiles of successful business developments.  Manufacturing IndustryOptimate will focus on the new qualification, Certificate III in Process Manufacturing, designed for use across a range of manufacturing industry sectors including chemicals, hydrocarbons and oil refining, plastics, rubber and cablemaking, and manufactured mineral products. The Toolbox will support a range of generic skills required by manufacturing employees to ensure businesses and organisations operate efficiently and productively.  Financial Services IndustryA Balancing Act will support a total of 11 units from the newly released Certificate IV in Financial Services (Bookkeeping) qualification. The 11 units are all core requirements of the qualification and have areas of commonality in skills and knowledge, enabling them to form a coherent group for training delivery in this area.  Events IndustryEvents Alive supports four units of competency from the Tourism, Hospitality and Event Training Package. Three of the units chosen are new units developed for this recently endorsed training package. The Toolbox reflects recognised training needs in customer service and best practice, information technology, compliance, risk and human resource management and business planning.  Aeroskills IndustryThe Airworthiness Administration Toolbox is designed to support the Diploma of Aeroskills. It guides learners through aircraft maintenance administration regulations and requirements using the fictitious company, ‘Fit to Fly Aircraft Maintenance’. This Toolbox delivers part of the Licensed Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (LAME) course issued by the Civil Air Safety Authority. The units being developed cover areas that affect the daily work of LAMEs. Children’s Services IndustryThe Cybertots Toolbox, one of the Framework’s most popular, has been updated for Series 11. The Toolbox will immerse the learner in a virtual child care centre allowing them to experience the role of a caregiver. Through problem-based projects and communication activities, they learn the skills and knowledge necessary for working in the child care profession. This Toolbox prepares the learner for workplace assessment where they can put the skills they’ve learnt into practice. Series 11 Toolboxes will be developed throughout the year and released in early 2009. They will contribute to more than 100 previously developed Toolboxes, helping deliver approximately 170 qualifications and supporting almost 900 units of competency, from a wide range of nationally endorsed training packages. To preview a Toolbox, or to contact your local Toolbox Champion Support Service, visit: http://flexiblelearning.net.au/toolboxes.  To purchase a Toolbox contact TVET Australia Product Services on (03) 9832 8188, sales@tvetaustralia.com.au or visit http://productservices.tvetaustralia.com.au.