Capella University

The purpose of this study is to determine the competencies needed by Vocational Education and Training (VET) practitioners no matter the working environment, and the feasibility of a prototype VET competency-model.

There will be three Rounds of surveys, each one built off the last (Delphi study). The Round 1 survey is based on an extensive literature review. It will ask respondents to select the roles VET practioners perform in education and industry, as well as add any missing. It will also ask respondents to identify the forces changing these roles. The Round 2 survey will ask respondents to rate the criticality of the products and services each role provides, and identify the competencies associated with each role. The Round 3 survey will ask respondents to review the results of the previous Round and comment.

This research project examines the competencies needed by subject-matter-experts (SMEs) who become vocational education and training (VET) practitioners. An extensive literature review and a Delphi study involving 30 training and development professionals who work in education and industry revealed the the various roles VET practitioners perform, the outputs of each of those roles, and the associated competencies. A learning model is developed and presented as is a way of improving the education of VET practitioners.