Research Project to Examine Opportunities for the Training Sector to Contribute to Supporting the State Sustainability Strategy

This proposal is submitted through the collaboration of Green Skills Inc. with the Centre for Learning, Change and Development (CLCD), Environmental Science and the Institute of Sustainability and Technology Policy (ISTP) at Murdoch University . It outlines the proposal for a Research Project to Examine Opportunities for the Training Sector to Contribute to Supporting the State Sustainability Strategy for the Western Australian Department of Education and Training.

The proposed research team brings together the necessary background knowledge, skills and experience in both research and the application of sustainability strategies, coupled with an understanding of the VET sector and adult and life-long learning. Team members are skilled in report writing and are well able to make recommendations strategically aimed at improving industry's capacity to deliver sustainability projects and services. They have extensive experience in doing research and consultancy work for federal, state and local government as well as the private sector and international organizations. In particular the team brings to the project:

•  A comprehensive background in sustainability research;

•  An understanding of the major contemporary challenges that face industry, government and non-government organisations in contributing to the priorities of the Western Australian State Sustainability Strategy;

•  The provision of practical, well-grounded skills in pedagogy and the curriculum framework and curriculum review; and

•  A thorough and critical understanding of the issues relating to the identification of knowledge about sustainability and in particular relevant knowledge of the building and construction industry .

The team includes:

The proposed methodology will investigate the following key questions:

•  What is the current market understanding of sustainability, technology for sustainability, and State Government requirements for sustainability? What are the emerging additional ‘drivers' of sustainability? What are the factors shaping the implementation and further adoption of the sustainability concept? What are the appropriate drivers for sustainability in relation to training for the building and related trades sector?

•  Are the training modules in sustainability that are currently available relevant and appropriate, particularly to the needs of the building industry? What capacity gaps exist and how easily could they be filled?

•  How can the key stakeholders in TAFE, industry and NGO's involved in sustainability training be adequately surveyed? How can they be involved to the point of owning the key findings?