PGD apprentices are no longer required to complete online assessment and quizzes before they can be accepted on to V3 block courses.
EarnLearn, a business division of Te Pūkenga providing training to PGD and other specialist trades has changed the structure of PGD V3 block courses to include teaching of the underpinning concepts of the practical unit standards to give apprentices the practical experience needed to be successful at assessment.
The teaching will clearly outline the task to be undertaken with tutor feedback available during the block course. This supports the practical assessment, also completed during the block course, and gives the apprentice the best chance for completion.
Practical assessment of those skills will still be included on the block courses.
Online assessment remains a part of the PGD V3 qualification but can now be completed during or after the block course and is no longer a requirement for block course attendance.
Once an apprentice has completed their last block course for a given year, their EarnLearn account manager will check to make sure the apprentice has kept up with all assessments, including online, for that year.
If the apprentice has not completed all the required assessments, the account manager can place a hold on progression to the next block course, until the learner has met the agreed target.
The block course changes will take effect in two stages. PGD V3 block courses scheduled in late April/May at Manukau Institute of Technology (MIT), Wintec and Unitec will follow the new format including teaching of underpinning knowledge required to complete practical unit standards. The changes will be made to all other PGD V3 block courses from July 2024.
EarnLearn executive director Kaarin Gaukrodger says the changes will make it easier for all PGD apprentices to progress seamlessly to block courses, where previously some may have stalled.
Previously, block courses have focused on assessing apprentices, meaning all attendees needed to arrive at the block course with knowledge of the concepts required by the practical unit standards.
“If apprentices arrived without that understanding they would struggle to complete the course assessment”, Gaukrodger says.
Apprentices have struggled to complete online theory assessments without a time frame to work towards, resulting in a slowdown in their progression, she says. “That has had the flow-on effect of too few apprentices being ready for a block course.”
In turn, that has meant the apprentices that have completed online theory have not had timely access to a block course due to low numbers, so their training has stalled.
Removing the online assessment as a prerequisite for block courses will mean apprentices who have attended a block course and completed the assessment, will now be automatically eligible to attend the next block course in that year.
“That should result in a faster, more straightforward progression through training for apprentices, and help keep them on target for completion,” Gaukrodger says.
As well as maximising block course attendance numbers, the change will help organisers forecast the number of block courses required, help providers with staff scheduling, and give all participants more certainty of block courses running as scheduled.
As well as incorporating assessment, EarnLearn has combined two block courses which has reduced the total number of PGD programme block courses from 12 to 10.
EarnLearn is also improving visibility for employers on when learners can be scheduled on to a block course. EarnLearn is working with campuses and polytechnics to bring back a 12-month schedule to provide employers with enough time to cover their business requirements while the learner is away.
Need to know
- Teaching of the underpinning concepts required by practical unit standards will now be included in the block course, as well as assessment.
- Online assessment is no longer a prerequisite for attending PGD V3 block courses.
- The focus of the block course remains completion of practical unit standards.
- Tutor feedback will be included in the block course, supporting practical assessment.
- Apprentices who have attended their block course will now be automatically eligible to attend the next block course in that year.
- Online assessment remains a part of the qualification, but is not required to be scheduled onto a block course. Account managers will ensure apprentices are still keeping up with all required assessments and have the necessary support through each year.
- Though no longer a pre-requisite for block course attendance, apprentices are encouraged to complete online assessment before a block course to set themselves up for the best learning outcome.
- Individual learners and their employers will be notified as normal when they are allocated to a block course.
EarnLearn reserve the right to hold an apprentice’s access to a block course if completion of other aspects of their training is seriously behind (such as completion of on job and online assessments).
For support – email pgdsupport@earnlearn.ac.nz or check out our detailed document relating to this change.
