A partnership between The University of Queensland鈥檚 Gatton-Vocational Education Centre (G-VEC) and the Department of Education and Training (DET) has seen the skills of 18 laboratory technologists recognised in a special graduation ceremony.
The graduates completed the Diploma in Animal Technology, which is aimed at higher level technicians working in universities, research facilities and medical establishments to address a skills shortage identified by the Queensland Government鈥檚 Environmental Scan undertaken in 2008.
The joint Federal and State Government Productivity Places Program has funded the initiative to upskill existing workers in the animal laboratory research sector.
Director of G-VEC Mark Pace said that the Diploma in Animal Technology program was created in September 2009 and aimed to address this shortage.
鈥淭he rate of demand for highly trained and skilled laboratory technical staff and research assistants exceeds supply,鈥� Mr Pace said.
鈥淭here also was no registered training organisation or public provider to deliver the higher level Diploma qualification that industry was seeking to keep pace with the rapidly-changing technologies.
"That is where G-VEC stepped in to deliver the Diploma of Animal Technology.鈥�
There are currently 42 enrolments in the program, with 18 students graduating today.
The project aims to deliver and issue 70 Diplomas in total to people working in the industry.
鈥淲e are very fortunate that DET and DEEDI have supported this initiative which will improve the standard of care provided and the calibre of professionalism in this area of research," Mr Pace said.
鈥淭he Diploma in Animal Technology program and model is also certainly bridging the gap between higher vocational qualifications and degree programs.
"The model developed for this program is to better align the opportunity for articulation between the two sectors.
"This provides people with pathway options to progress their careers and the opportunity to receive recognition for prior learning.鈥�
Diploma of Animal Technology graduate Chelsea Stewart has been working for 国产探花 for nine years and she is thrilled to have received the opportunity to reinforce what she is doing in the workplace with formal training.
鈥淭he quality of the program is very high," Ms Stewart said.
"This is clear as the modules are very relevant and informative.
"The materials provided are also very useful and I will be able to refer to them as I progress in my career.
鈥淭o receive recognition for the work I am currently doing and enjoying through recognition for prior learning definitely paid off.
"As a number of my colleagues took up the opportunity to study it made it a much more valuable experience.
"Although we鈥檙e all at different stages of our learning, we all benefited from the learning experiences.
鈥淪pecial thanks to the Gatton-Vocational Education Centre for getting the Diploma of Animal Technology off the ground; I really appreciate their hard work.
"Having this piece of paper has definitely boosted my confidence and I look forward to further study, particularly in the area of animal welfare.鈥�
There are still 28 program places available. To find out more information on programs offered by G-VEC please contact the office on (07) 5460 1353.
Media: Erin Pearl, telephone (07) 54601 229.
