Eurobodalla Adult Education Centre Inc. (EAEC)
Adult Ed for quality lifelong learning in the Eurobodalla

The Business Professionals Program

Background

With support from Andrew Dodd and his team at the Illawarra state training centre Wollongong, We set out to develop a VET program that would support learners as designers of their own development and create a space for exchanging and sharing ideas between industry and workforce.

The objective of the Business Professionals program was to develop an educational model that supported the professional development of our local workforce.

The aim of the program was to assist participants to develop business and personal management skills, particularly interpersonal and team skills, identified by employers as essential attributes.

Industry involvement has been a key element in ensuring that the vocational content meets local business needs and provided participants with the latest in theories and practice.

An essential criterion of the program was to develop the capability of the participants to operate in environments where the rate of change and continued professional development is speeding up and learners need to increasingly take responsibility for their ongoing skills development.

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The program was designed to support the premise that business environments are flexible, dynamic and evolutionary, constantly adapting to meet the changing nature and needs of consumers in a global economy.

The vision for our participants was that they would be supported in their learning by people who passionately believe in learning and in helping others to learn and reach their full potential. 

That vision included providing a contemporary and diverse learning environment that incorporated continuous engagement by local business professionals who would provide valid and reliable information and insight as to the needs and expectations of business.  They would be valuable in influencing and encouraging participants to engage in their own personal and professional skills development.  

Participants would be engaged in an atmosphere of professionalism, encouraged to attend local business functions and network with industry representatives for self and team development.

During the program industry representatives attended the sessions, providing information regarding their profession, the skills and knowledge required and relevant aspects of working within the context of the local business industry environment.

Consultation with industry identified a set of values that are fundamental to working in the ‘Knowledge Era’. 

Amongst these values are:

For Self:  

Trustworthiness, honesty, integrity, engagement and professional attitude

With Others:

Generosity, collaboration, humility, openness and tolerance

Together as a team: taking responsibility, planning and implementing wisely, being positive, supporting and implementing change, being supported in taking risks and supporting community.

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