A preliminary exploration of the knowledge/skills of metal trades third year apprentices after the introduction of CBT

Abstract

Competency-based training remains a major plank in government policy for VET reform. This is despite mounting evidence that competency-based training may not be leading to the desired increase in knowledge and performance. This paper reports findings from a preliminary investigation into the knowledge/skill levels of third (final) year Metal Trades apprentices after the introduction of competency-based training. In the part of the ongoing research reported, the students were tested using some items from a pre-competency-based training test in order to ascertain whether still occupationally relevant knowledge was in fact known by this group of students.