Adult learning through fire and emergency service organisations in small and remote Australian towns
- Authors: Hayes, Christine , Golding, Barry , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Book
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- Description: A1
- Description: 2003000775
Are health and safety representatives more effective at representing their designated work group having completed a Certificate IV course in OHS?
- Authors: Merriman, Gavin , Cowley, Stephen
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Health and Safety Research and Practice Vol. 1, no. 1 (2009), p. 13-18
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- Description: Some elected Health and Safety Representatives in Australia choose to undertake a Certificate IV level OHS course. To determine if they are more effective at representing their Designated Work Group as a result, a sample population of Health and Safety Representatives and members of their Designated Work Group were surveyed. The survey participants were also tested in regard to their approach to solving health and safety problems posed in three hypothetical workplace scenarios. The results were compared with the results of the same test undertaken by Health and Safety Representatives that had only completed a 5-day training course. As a result of undertaking a Certificate IV OHS program, Health and Safety Representatives have more confidence in undertaking workplace inspections and the frequency and the quality of those inspections is increased. They seek more information from their employer in regard to workplace hazards and are consulted by management more often and also consult with the members of their Designated Work Group more frequently. There were statistically significant differences between responses to the three hypothetical workplace scenarios given by subjects that had undertaken a Certificate IV course and those that had only completed a 5-day training program. The Certificate IV course group were more likely to apply safe place control principles to problems. Together with increased frequency of inspections and greater consultation, this is likely to lead to more effective representation of the DWG.
Development and validation of the Pre-school Educational and Psychological Screen (PrEPS)
- Authors: Heeney, Simone
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Thesis , PhD
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- Description: Children with behavioural, social, and emotional problems in preschool are often at risk for school maladjustment and the development of psychological disorders when they enter the school system. This study sought to develop and validate a preschool screening instrument that could identify the precursors and symptoms of mental health problems and provide targeted intervention processes. Measures included on the screen were 20 items identified by 126 Victorian Prep teachers as most important for school success. When administered by teachers of 143 (68 boys, 75 girls) preschoolaged children, these items demonstrated an internal reliability of .97. Factor analysis resulted in a 3-factor solution, with 'Learning Skills", 'Social Skills', and 'Good Start Skills' emerging as factors. This 'Preschool Educational and Psychological Screen' (PrEPS) demonstrated significant concurrent, predictive, and construct validity. Factor scores were associated with family income, fathers' education, parents' marital status, and child's age, hours of sleep, and gender. Results indicate that the PrEPS is a reliable and valid instrument in the identification of early indicators of psychological problems in preschoolers.
- Description: Professional Doctorate of Psychology (Clinical)
- Description: This research thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of D. Psych (Clinical), School of Behavioural & Social Science & Humanities.
High quality traineeships : Identifying what works
- Authors: Smith, Erica , Comyn, Paul , Kemmis, Ros Brennan , Smith, Andy
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Report
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- Description: This study explores the common features of high-quality traineeships using case studies from the cleaning, child care, construction, retail, finance and insurance, and meat processing areas. The research identifies a range of policy measures that could improve both the practice and image of traineeships. A good practice guide has also been developed to assist in ensuring that all traineeships are of equally high quality.
- Description: 2003007937
Power, status and marginalisation : Rural social workers and evidence-based practice in multidisciplinary teams
- Authors: McDonald, John , Murphy, Angela
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Social Work Vol. 57, no. 2 (2004), p. 127-136
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- Description: 2003004268
Old dogs, new tricks : Training mature-aged manufacturing workers
- Authors: Smith, Erica , Smith, Andy , Selby Smith, Chris
- Date: 2010
- Type: Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Workplace Learning Vol. 22, no. 5 (2010), p. 277-291
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- Description: Purpose – This paper aims to examine the employment and training of mature-aged workers, so that suggestions for improving training for mature-aged workers may be offered. Design/methodology/approach – Six expert interviews were carried out by telephone, and three case studies involving company site visits were completed. Each company case study involved interviews with managers, trainers and mature-aged workers. The study was confined to the manufacturing industry. Findings – Mature-aged workers bring many advantages to workplaces and some employers show a definite preference for them over younger workers; but in some cases training needs to take account of lack of confidence and literacy and health issues. However, there is great diversity among mature-aged workers. Research limitations/implications – The research is confined to shop-floor workers in manufacturing, and does not address training of mature-aged managers and professionals. The research is small-scale but provides new insights, and importantly the voices of the workers themselves. Practical implications – The paper identifies managerial and training practices that can immediately be implemented. Originality/value – The paper identifies some issues that can be taken up at a policy level as well as within companies. For example, the preference for qualification-based training at a national level is not necessarily consistent with what mature-aged workers prefer.
Honours : a taken-for-granted pathway to research?
- Authors: Zeegers, Margaret , Barron, Deirdre
- Date: 2009
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Higher Education Vol. 57, no. 5 (2009), p. 567-575
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- Description: In this paper we examine variations in Honours programs in Australian universities and the consequences that this has for students who wish to undertake higher degrees by research after their undergraduate programs have been successfully completed. Our review of universities' Honours programs across rural, regional, and urban Australia has indicated that there is a degree of variation that is localised as far as each university is concerned, and that there is a lack of consistency in various universities' application of policies or procedures in the implementation of their Honours programs. We conclude by calling for greater consistency across universities in Australia in the awarding of Honours, certainly, but also suggesting that a review needs to be undertaken as part of national, systematic and orchestrated project.
Impact of health and safety representative training on concepts of accident causation and prevention
- Authors: Culvenor, John , Cowley, Stephen , Harvey, Jack
- Date: 2003
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Journal of Occupational Health and Safety - Australia and New Zealand Vol. 19, no. 3 (2003), p. 279-292
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- Description: In South Australia, health and safety representatives (HSRs) may undertake three levels of training, commencing at basic level, then progressing through advanced level to continuing level. A survey of 1,200 HSRs in SA was conducted to assess their beliefs about accident causation and accident prevention. In regard to accident causation, the survey found that HSRs showed a tendency to favour behavioural causation over workplace environment or systems-type causation. In regard to accident prevention, HSRs at all levels of training had a preference for low-order controls. However, there appears to be some shift in thinking by the time HSRs have completed all levels of training (that is, to the continuing training level), though the thinking of most remains distinctly safe-worker in orientation.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003003020
The E-factor : Advancing women entrepreneurs in the digital economy
- Authors: Braun, Patrice
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Asian Pacific Women's Information Network Center Vol. 8, no. (2006), p. 99-109
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- Description: With the rise of globalisation, technological innovation, diffusion of information via the Internet, and related changes in business values and beliefs, countries, regions, governments and institutions everywhere are facing changing conditions for competitive advantage (Pfeffer & Sutton, 2000). Globalisation allows companies of all sizes, even micro and small and medium size enterprises (SME) which were once unable to compete with larger firms, to participate in new markets and reduce costs. Deregulated markets allow for more competition as well as better product offering and prices for small businesses.
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002171
The importance of a sport-specific stimulus for training agility
- Authors: Young, Warren , Farrow, Damian
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Strength and Conditioning Journal Vol. 35, no. 2 (2013), p. 39-43
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- Description: The purpose of this article is to review recent evidence to help guide the training of agility. agility skill usually involves reacting to a stimulus before performing a movement with a change of direction or velocity. research has shown that better performers can be distinguished from lower skilled athletes by the ability to quickly and accurately react to opponent's movements, but not to a generic stimulus such as a flashing light. therefore, training for agility should include a perceptual and decision-making component involving reacting to movements of others, and this may be accomplished with evasive drills or smallsided games. Copyright © National Strength and Conditioning Association.
- Description: 2003011107
Promoting the development of children's emotional and social wellbeing in early childhood settings : How can we enhance the capability of educators to fulfil role expectations?
- Authors: Temple, Elizabeth , Emmett, Susan
- Date: 2013
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australasian Journal of Early Childhood Vol. 38, no. 1 (2013), p. 66-72
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- Description: This article discusses the expectations implicit in both Early Years Learning and National Quality Frameworks regarding the role of early childhood educators in promoting the development of children's social and emotional wellbeing. There is a specific focus on factors that may impact on the ability of early childhood educators to successfully adjust their practice to meet these expectations. Suggestions are made in relation to the training and education of pre-service teachers and the professional development of the current early childhood workforce to ensure that all early childhood educators are able to promote the development of social and emotional wellbeing in children. Copyright 2013. All rights reserved by Early Childhood Australia Inc.
- Description: 2003011108
An examination of the relationship between employer-provided training and development and employee turnover in the Victorian public service
- Authors: Kennett, Geraldine
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Thesis , DBA
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- Description: This study, which has adopted a qualitative research approach using the Victorian Public Service (VPS) as a case study, explores the relationship between employer-provided training and development and employee turnover. The study examines training and development models and discusses how the context (organisation and employment characteristics) influences the training and development models adopted by the VPS. The study also investigates whether various training and development models have a differential impact on employee turnover. This study identifies three training and development models adopted by the Victorian Public Service and finds that each has a differential impact on employee turnover. The models used are labelled Individual Development, Team Development and Organisational Development. Employers often assume there is a relationship between training and development and employee turnover. While a number of organisations use training as an employee-retention strategy, others are reluctant to increase their investment in training and development because they fear employees may leave as a result of their improved skills and knowledge. In their desire to retain skilled workers in a market of short labour supply employers have become more concerned about the relationship between training and employee turnover. Available statistics indicate that the labour market is entering a period of supply shortages that could last many years. "From abstract"
- Description: Doctor of Business Administration
The effectiveness of an ecodrive course for heavy vehicle drivers
- Authors: Symmons, Mark , Rose, Geoffrey , Van Doorn, George
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Conference paper
- Relation: Proceedings of the Australasian Road Safety Research, Policing and Education Conference 2008 p. 1-8
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- Description: Amongst other changes, ecodriving requires drivers to drive more smoothly – to “flow” the vehicle. In order to save fuel and reduce emissions drivers must operate at lower engine revolutions, change up gears as soon as possible, and anticipate traffic conditions and drive defensively. A field trial was conducted using a 30 km metropolitan circuit and B-double heavy vehicles. Compared to their pre-course measures, the trained group reduced their fuel consumption by an average of 27%, the number of gear changes by 29%, and the number of brake applications by 41%. Importantly, these gains were not offset by increases in the time taken to complete the circuit – indeed average speed increased slightly. Further, the benefits did not lose any strength 12 weeks after the training, at which point the pilot trial concluded – in fact for some variables the results continued to improve over time. The number of drivers participating in the trial was relatively small and some questions remain unanswered, including actual road safety implications, building a strong case for a larger trial.
How can the expansion of the apprenticeship system in India create conditions for greater equity and social justice?
- Authors: Smith, Erica , Kemmis, Ros Brennan , Comyn, Paul
- Date: 2014
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Journal of Adult Learning Vol. 54, no. 3 (2014), p.
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- Description: This paper reports on aspects of a recent project carried out for the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the World Bank, which was designed to feed into the process of updating and expanding India’s apprenticeship system. The apprenticeship system in India is extremely small for the country’s population, even taking into account the high proportion of jobs that are in the informal economy, and is subject to very rigid regulation. Expansion of the system has been seen as vital in order to improve the supply of skills to the rapidly expanding economy, and also to address issues of disparity in labour market participation and equity for certain groups in Indian society. The paper firstly explains how findings about apprenticeship systems from ten other countries, together with analysis of the Indian situation, were used to present options for consideration by the Indian government. It then analyses these options for their social justice and equity implications.
Perspectives on the training of Chinese Primary Health Care Physicians to reduce chronic illnesses and their burden
- Authors: Sun, Wenmin , Li, Yang , Hu, Yitting , Rao, Xin , Xu, Xingzhi , Browning, Colette , Thomas, Shane
- Date: 2019
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Frontiers in Public Health Vol. 7, no. (2019), p. 1-7
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- Description: This paper is a commentary on the training of Chinese Primary Health Care Doctors to reduce chronic illness and its burden. First, we will consider the policy position of the Chinese government concerning the development of a competent and enlarged primary physician workforce to deliver the proposed primary health care system reforms. We then turn to a review of the drivers of the high burden of chronic illnesses especially in older people in China. We argue that the curriculum for the training of primary health care medical practitioners should match the demonstrated high prevalence chronic illnesses and their risk factors and that there needs to specific competencies in prevention and mitigation of the diseases and their risk factors.
The use and modification of injury prevention exercises by professional youth soccer teams
- Authors: O'Brien, James , Young, Warren , Finch, Caroline
- Date: 2017
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports Vol. 27, no. 11 (2017), p. 1337-1346
- Relation: http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/1058737
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- Description: The efficacy of injury prevention exercise programs (IPEPs) for amateur youth soccer has been established, but little is known about their adaptability to other soccer populations. This study aimed to assess the use of individual injury prevention exercises by professional youth soccer teams, against the industry-standard, FIFA 11+ program. Four teams' chosen IPEPs were observed across one season and documented on a standardized form. The use of each FIFA 11+ exercise was coded as “performed”, “performed modified” or “not performed”. The proportion of the 160 observed sessions containing each individual exercise was calculated. Staff provided reasons for their use and modification of FIFA 11+ exercises. On average, individual FIFA 11+ exercises were conducted in original form in 12% of the sessions (range 0–33%), and in modified form in 28% of sessions (range 2–62%). The five most frequently observed exercises, in either original or modified form, were “bench” (72%), “squats” (69%), “running straight” (68%), “single-leg stance” (66%), and “sideways bench” (64%). Staff modified exercises to add variation, progression, and individualization, and to align with specific training formats and goals. Professional youth soccer teams often use injury prevention exercises similar to those in the FIFA 11+, but tailor them considerably to fit their implementation context.
Workplace based assessment program for international medical graduates : an evaluation of an Australian trial site
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Gazula, Swapnali
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Universal Journal of Public Health Vol. 8, no. 6 (2020), p. 198-206
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- Description: There is a need to understand Workplace Based Assessment programs in Australia to improve future offerings. This paper evaluates the efficacy of a Workplace Based Assessment program at a single regional Australian healthcare location using a mixed-method approach to collect data from three sources. Tools included Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise, case-based discussion and in-training assessment, and structured face-to-face interviews with eighteen key-stakeholders. The Workplace Based Assessment program itself was evaluated against a number of indicators, including the psychometric properties assessed by each of the tools used. In addition, the adequacy of the current program and specifically the tools used within it to determine the clinical competence and safety of International Medical Graduates was examined. Lastly, satisfaction of key-stakeholders with program preparation and usability of tools was investigated. The results indicate that the tools currently used within the Workplace Based Assessment program continue to be reliable, and assessors are assessing International Medical Graduates with a high degree of consistency across the program. In addition, this study found that both International Medical Graduates and assessors remain satisfied with regard to confidence, usability and user perception of the current Workplace Based Assessment methods to provide a more meaningful experience for those being assessed. Overall, this evaluation provides insights into the current Workplace Based Assessment program and makes recommendations for future improvements. These include clearer program guidelines; greater opportunities for support of International Medical Graduates, feedback for and further training of assessors. Copyright © 2020 by authors, all rights reserved.
Occupational self-efficacy and psychological capital amongst nursing students : a cross sectional study understanding the malleable attributes for success
- Authors: Terry, Daniel , Peck, Blake , Smith, Andrew , Nguyen, Hoang
- Date: 2020
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: European Journal of Investigation in Health Psychology and Education Vol. 10, no. 1 (Mar 2020), p. 159-172
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- Description: With a predicted shortfall in the worldwide nursing workforce, efforts to understand attributes that influence attrition and workforce longevity remain fundamental. Self-efficacy and the broader construct of psychological capital have been linked to positive workplace-based attributes in occupations. The aim of the study was to examine the relationship between general self-efficacy, occupational (nursing) self-efficacy, and psychological capital and their predictive factors among nursing students. A cross sectional design was used to address the aims of the study where all nursing students studying a three-year bachelor's degree were invited to complete a questionnaire examining traits that might assist in the preparation for, and longevity in, a nursing career. Although the participating nursing students demonstrated high levels of general self-efficacy, their reported levels of nursing-specific self-efficacy were significantly lower. Psychological capital measures indicated that students had high levels of belief, hope, and resilience concerning their capacity to commit to and achieve goals, succeed now and into the future, and overcome obstacles. The findings suggest an opportunity exists for education providers to nurture the malleable aspects of self-e fficacy and psychological capital, while developing greater capacity to bounce back and overcome the challenges that nursing students may encounter in their undergraduate academic training, and to reduce attrition as they prepare to enter the workplace.
Caucasian and south Asian men show equivalent improvements in surrogate biomarkers of cardiovascular and metabolic health following 6-weeks of supervised resistance training
- Authors: Knox, Allan , Sculthorpe, Nicholas , Grace, Fergal
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: F1000Research Vol. 7, no. (2018), p. 1-16
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- Description: Background: The South Asian population have greater cardiovascular risk than their age-matched Caucasian counterparts, characterized by unfavorable biomarkers. South Asians may also be partially resistant to the pleiotropic benefits of physical activity on cardiovascular health. There is a current absence of studies that compare markers of cardio-metabolic health between Caucasians and South Asians employing resistance exercise. This study set out to compare the response in biomarkers of cardio-metabolic health in Caucasians and South Asians in response to resistance exercise. Methods: Caucasian (n=15, 25.5 ± 4.8 yrs) and South Asian (n=13, 25.4 ± 7.0 yrs) males completed a 6-week progressive resistance exercise protocol. Fasting blood glucose, insulin, and their product insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), triglycerides (TRIGS), low density lipoprotein (LDL), high density lipoprotein (HDL), total cholesterol (TC), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), asymmetric dimythylarginine (ADMA), L-arginine (L-ARG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were established at baseline and following resistance exercise. Results: There were significant improvements in fasting glucose, TC, LDL, HDL and VEGF in both groups following resistance exercise ( p<0.05, for all). No change was observed in insulin, HOMA-IR, TRIGS, ADMA, L-ARG following resistance exercise ( p>0.05, in both groups). CRP increased in the South Asian group ( p<0.05) but not the Caucasian group ( p>0.05) Conclusions: The cardio-metabolic response to resistance exercise is comparable in young Caucasian and South Asian males though inflammatory response to exercise may be prolonged in South Asians.
A randomised controlled trial to test the effectiveness of decision training on assessors' ability to determine optimal fitness-to-drive recommendations for older or disabled drivers
- Authors: Harries, Priscilla , Unsworth, Carolyn , Gokalp, Hulya , Davies, Miranda , Tomlinson, Christopher , Harries, Luke
- Date: 2018
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: BMC Medical Education Vol. 18, no. 1 (2018), p.
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- Description: Background: Driving licensing jurisdictions require detailed assessments of fitness-to-drive from occupational therapy driver assessors (OTDAs). We developed decision training based on the recommendations of expert OTDAs, to enhance novices' capacity to make optimal fitness-to-drive decisions. The aim of this research was to determine effectiveness of training on novice occupational therapists' ability to make fitness-to-drive decisions. Methods: A double blind, parallel, randomised controlled trial was conducted to test the effectiveness of decision training on novices' fitness-to-drive recommendations. Both groups made recommendations on a series of 64 case scenarios with the intervention group receiving training after reviewing two thirds of the cases; the control group, at this same point, just received a message of encouragement to continue. Participants were occupational therapy students on UK and Australian pre-registration programmes who individually took part online, following the website instructions. The main outcome of training was the reduction in mean difference between novice and expert recommendations on the cases. Results: Two hundred eighty-nine novices were randomised into intervention; 166 completed the trial (70 in intervention; 96 in control). No statistical differences in scores were found pre-training. Post training, the control group showed no significant change in recommendations compared to the experts (t(96) = -.69; p =.5), whereas the intervention group exhibited a significant change (t(69) = 6.89; p < 0.001). For the intervention group, the mean difference compared with the experts' recommendations reduced with 95% CI from -.13 to.09. Effect size calculated at the post-training demonstrated a moderate effect (d =.69, r =.32). Conclusions: Novices who received the decision training were able to change their recommendations whereas those who did not receive training did not. Those receiving training became more able to identify drivers who were not fit-to-drive, as measured against experts' decisions on the same cases. This research demonstrated that novice occupational therapists can be trained to make decisions more aligned to those of expert OTDAs. The decision training and cases have been launched as a free training resource at www.fitnesstodrive.com. This can be used by novice driver assessors to increase their skill to identify drivers who are, and are not fit-to-drive, potentially increasing international workforce capacity in this growing field of practice. © 2018 The Author(s).