New era for Training Administration Division
The Training Administration Division (TAD) is enhancing the way it operates and is embracing technology with the introduction of Internet-based learning technologies; a new website; a virtual classroom; and even a mobile app.
According to Fay-Marie Browne, Deputy Principal Training Officer with the TAD, these improvements have been three years in the making, and are all being done as the TAD endeavours to provide the public service with timely, relevant, cost-effective training and training-related services. Her comments came as she delivered welcome remarks at the TAD’s 50th Anniversary event dubbed ‘Chapter 50: Entering the E-Environment’ at the Hilton Hotel.
Browne told the audience that the website will allow members of the public service to view, access services and conduct business with the Division. She added that it is intended that through the use of the website, they will facilitate the application processes for subscription to training courses, study and training leave. Referring to the virtual classroom component, she explained that it is expected to not only widen the TAD’s reach in terms of public officers accessing learning, but she insisted it presents an alternative mode for the delivery of learning that will cater to all learning needs. Moreover, she said the mobile app will facilitate greater and easier access
to the TAD’s training products, both local in-service and overseas offers.
With that in mind, the Deputy Principal Training Officer announced that the TAD has partnered with the Higher Education Development Unit within the Ministry
of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation to utilise that Unit’s MOODLE online platform – TRIDENT learning – to host the Division’s online learning courses. Furthermore, yesterday, officials from the entities signed a Memorandum of Understanding to solidify the relationship.
Moreover, she said that as the TAD celebrates its golden jubilee, it is also currently creating and seeking to implement a competency framework. This framework, will inform decision-making with respect to matters regarding human resource management and development. Additionally, the framework would be supported by the corresponding development of National Public Service Occupational Standards and competency-based learning interventions.
“The 50th chapter further documents the Division’s objective of enhancing public service excellence and professionalism in working towards programme accreditation with the Barbados Accreditation Council. Our courses will soon be accredited and linked to the National Qualifications Framework, so that public officers successfully completing our courses will be able to obtain either a National Vocational Qualification or a Caribbean Vocational Qualification. The process of seeking programme accreditation has also provided TAD with the timely opportunity to review internal processes and to pay greater attention to developing and maintaining quality standards in all aspects of the Division’s functions. To this end, the development of a Quality Assurance framework is also in progress,” she disclosed.
The Deputy Principal Training Officer’s comments came as she added that the virtual classroom has a test course which all public officers can enrol in, and by June 2017 they will be invited to subscribe for a number of management and leadership courses which will be offered in collaboration with overseas universities and online institutions.
“We ask you to take the challenge, sign up for a course, tell us your successes and challenges – we will need to know this information in order to improve the learning experience for you. And of course, permanent secretaries and heads of departments, we are depending on you to facilitate this process in your respective ministries. Let us know how e-ready you are – your infrastructure requirements; the administrative policies and processes you will need to help manage online learning. For instance, you would need to give consideration to managing the approval for online learning and the transfer of learning to the workplace, once the training has been completed. TAD is the medium, but you are the key players,” she contended. (JRT)