Master Builders Association of NSW

MBA provides a wide scope of training to qualify and develop the knowledge and skills sets of trades, para-professionals and professionals so as to empower a more unilateral approach to dealing with training and assessment issues. What resources does the Master Builders have available for training? MBA invests heavily in engaging existing practitioners on contract to facilitate its training brief as we are of the view that current industry practice is what is most needed to address industry issues in a volatile and dynamic workplace context. The training department is focussed very much on facilitating industry participation in training to qualify and empower practitioners as well as to identify those who may well go on to facilitate the same opportunities for others. MBA's greatest asset then is its human capital and its representation across all sectors of the industry as a peak body and as a training provider of choice. In addition to our human capital, while we have some training facilities as a part of our own resource base, we prefer to take our training out to industry so that it is accessible in the local communities. Our training materials are developed within the RTO and validated using our own resources and those of the wider national Master Builders federation movement. MBA currently makes places available to industry participants through the SSP, PPP and NWDF government funds. What approaches to training are industry appropriate? MBA recognises the diversity of its training participants at all levels of engagement. It provides learning options for English as a Second Language (ESL) participants, those with disabilities, those from differing cultural backgrounds and in particular women and indigenous participants as target areas for social inclusion policies. Ordinary learning is carried out in a classroom setting and is supported by site-based experience although we are moving to embrace both online learning options using computers and also industry-led learning where in partnership with the customer business organisations the training is carried out onsite and then assessed by the MBA when learning milestones are achieved. What training opportunities exist? Training is predicated around qualifications and competencies that are the subject of state regulation and legislation mandates. In addition to this MBA is expanding a brief to develop so-called soft skill training as a conduit to enhancing communication skills within the industry and as a mechanism for reducing productivity downtime and unresolved conflict. What are the MBA core training values? Provision of training which is measurably excellent against accreditation benchmarks, progressive and innovative. What is the MBA Training 'culture'? Exceeding requirements, generation of high quality and repeatable standards, well documented and responsive services tailored to meet the needs of the wider industry participants.