Handbook

This course critically examines the theory and practice of learning and development. Training and development is a central component of strategic human resource management and public policy. Closely related to this topic is skills, which are a focus in discussions around economic restructuring in Australia and in many other parts of the developed world because of their role in workforce productivity and competitive advantage. The mechanisms by which skills are acquired, accredited and rewarded are of increasing concern to human resource managers, trainers and educators, industrial relations actors, national policy makers, and, employers and employees. At the same time, the conceptualization of ‘skill’ is being reshaped and variously defined, e.g. from ‘technical’ abilities to ‘soft skills’, that include ‘personal attributes’, graduate attributes and ‘capabilities’.