Staying current and relevant to the industry plays a vital role in not just keeping you competent at your job but also helps the organisation that you work for. This holds even more relevance in the training and education industry where continuous learning and knowledge are crucial to the changing trends, directions and demands of the industry.
Staying current and relevant to the industry plays a vital role in not just keeping you competent at your job but also helps the organisation that you work for. This holds even more relevance in the training and education industry where continuous learning and knowledge are crucial to the changing trends, directions and demands of the industry.
Apart from boosting morale and confidence, organising and participating in continuing education is a great way to introduce and implement best practice. At MCIE, continuing education in the form of scheduled professional development session for its students, trainers, educators as well as for peers from the industry is a way of life.
“We regularly organise professional development sessions for our trainers and students as well as for our partners and associates from the industry such as childcare educators and other educational leaders. Our training and teaching philosophy has always been to enable our students to be job ready to meet the demands of the industry, and these professional development sessions play an important role in ensuring that we constantly connect with those in the industry and learn from each other by sharing our knowledge and skills in in learning as well in teaching and training methodologies.” Said Maryann James, Head of Department – Community Care (ECEC, Individual Support, Disability and First Aid)
During a recent professional development session, lead by our Early Childhood Consultant, Heather Barnes OAM, she shared her views on professional development sessions are great as a tool for staying competent and for developing new skill areas and knowledge.
The session was held to celebrate the spirit of the NAIDOC week celebrations and focused on embedding values, traditions and cultural safety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in the ECEC studies. The session was attended by over 30 educators, students and industry colleagues from various childcare services.
“I have always been interested in what we regard as best practice and, I have always tried to help people understand that, in addition to what they are doing, which is not necessarily wrong, there might be another way we can approach practice” said Heather.
1. It’s a great way to network and build new relations
A professional development session is not just about learning but is also a great way to meet new people and expand your network. In a professional world, it helps to not only stay relevant and up to date but also stay in touch with your peers and colleagues.
2. It proves to be a platform to learn new ideas
With exposure to new ideas and new ways of thinking, you not only gain new skills but can also apply them in your own workplace. It promotes new skills, ideas, and boosts morale and performance as well.
3. It helps to stay updated with current and approved learning frameworks and guidelines
Further, professional development sessions can help you stay updated with the industry. It is important that educators and students absolutely understand how their current practice relates to the expectations of the approved learning framework and the national quality framework.
Bryony Dade, Director of Quality and Governance, MCIE, said, “Our industry partners are always assured that our students can integrate well into their workforce because they know that they have current knowledge and have current expectations about what they are going to do at the workplace. Our students gain immense confidence, benefits, and knowledge from these sessions and we are committed to continuing to provide them with these learning opportunities.”
