Workplace Assessment (Scoping)

Assessing workplace competence when the skills being assessed are complex and abstract (i.e. at AQF levels 5 and above) is difficult. As a result assessment processes are prone to error and highly subjective and therefore expensive if comprehensively undertaken [i], [ii].

 

Current assessment methods rely on the maintenance of a social relationship between the candidate and the assessor [iii]. This relationship is difficult to maintain and requires a workplace culture that supports the process [iv]. In the case of non-formal and informal learning or recognition of prior learning (RPL) there is a small body of literature describing case studies, barriers, drivers and theory [v], but more needs to be done to define how this operates in the Rail industry.

 

This project will scope the method of undertaking research into the workplace assessments in the Australian Rail industry, as well as the method of identifying the advantages and disadvantages with those methods. The outcomes of the project will be a plan, resource allocations, time, cost and risk for the actual project to investigate the Australian Rail industry workplace assessment practices.

 

The outcomes for the Australian Rail industry of this research will be identification of what are the current scholarly best practice assessment methods, and determination of the gap between those methods and those employed in the Australia Rail industry. The benefits of this research will be then to provide the Australian Rail industry with the means of better adapting and changing workplace assessment. As a result of this benefit it will then lead to more comprehensive and accurate assessment of employee workplace competence and faster development of skills within the Australian Rail industry.