A responsive training market: The role of brokers (Staff)

Project completion date:

Project staff

A/Prof Sue Kilpatrick and Ms Susan Johns (UDRH)
Ms Amabel Fulton (Rural Development Services)

Summary of project and implications

This project was funded by the Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC). In order to improve productivity and performance in the agricultural sector, there needs to be better matching of training needs and opportunities. This study analysed the features, processes and outcomes of a range of effective training broking arrangements including the activities of government agencies and industry organisations. Key findings and conclusions from the study were transferable to other industry contexts, including health.

A training broker is defined as an individual or organisation that

plays an active and purposeful role in identifying training needs. A training broker considers the whole suite of present and potential training opportunities and actively matches needs to training, acting in the best interests of the client.

Project methodology included quantitative (telephone survey) and qualitative (case study) approaches, as well as stakeholder involvement as partners in the research.

The study found that broking is a three-stage process: getting started; matching needs and opportunities; and evaluating the broking process. All broking activity is underpinned by ten generic principles:

1. is learner-centred;
2. has links to local networks;
3. encourages a learning culture;
4. has links to training providers;
5. maintains a continual awareness of training opportunities and gaps;
6. develops and maintains a wide network of stakeholders to identify emerging needs and awareness of other training opportunities;
7. actively matches needs to training;
8. assures the quality of the training provided as a result of brokerage;
9. has appropriate professional standards in place and complies with relevant legislation;
10. evaluates the brokerage process for credibility and quality assurance.

Recommendations for improving broking practice fall into three main areas: foster the development, expansion and sustainability of good broking practices; promote awareness and encourage implementation of good practice broking principles, and resource the implementation of good practice brokerage.

This study identifed new ways to match needs to training for rural industry, and provided a detailed analysis of the principles and processes of brokerage. A manual was also produced, Matching training needs and opportunities: A guidebook. This takes brokers through the process step by step.

The paper:
Kilpatrick, S., Fulton, A., & Johns, S. (2007). Matching training needs and opportunities: The case for training brokers in the Australian agricultural sector. International Journal of Lifelong Education, 26, 2, 209-224.

The full report