Professional development costs: deterrence for VET practitioners in Western Australia
Authors:
Christopher Ward
Deakin University
Theme: Workforce Development
Presentation:
This study investigates the financial and time costs associated with professional development (PD) activities among Vocational Education and Training (VET) practitioners in Western Australia, addressing a critical gap in understanding within the sector. While PD is essential for updating teaching practices and maintaining instructional quality, our research sheds light on the disparity between the perceived benefits of PD and the actual return on investment for individual practitioners.
Using data collected from an online survey of thirty VET practitioners over a twelve-month period, our analysis challenges conventional assumptions about the efficacy of PD. Drawing on a critique of human capital theory, we demonstrate that the costs incurred by practitioners outweigh the benefits throughout their careers, indicating a fundamental misalignment between investment in PD and tangible outcomes.
Our findings significantly affect the operational efficiency and quality of teaching and learning experiences within the VET sector. This research underscores the urgent need to reevaluate current approaches to VET workforce development by highlighting the financial disincentives and sectoral underpayment associated with PD participation.
This study contributes to the "VET partnerships powering a dynamic workforce" conference theme by addressing VET practitioners' challenges in accessing effective PD opportunities. By engaging with the broader discourse on workforce empowerment and skill development, our research offers valuable insights for practitioners, training provider managers, and policymakers striving to enhance the resilience and adaptability of the VET sector.