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September 2008 Industry Connection >> Apprenticeship Partner Profile - Bob Taylor
Bob Taylor has made many significant contributions to the apprenticeship system in Australia; in particular he was instrumental in revolutionising the training and monitoring process for electro-technology apprentices. In the 1980s Bob worked as a project manager for a large electrical company where he supervised many apprentices. This experience gave him valuable insight into the ways the mostly unregulated apprenticeship system could be improved, which he implemented later as CEO of the ACT Utilities Industry Training Advisory Board (ITAB). In this role, Bob implemented a system that would assure prospective employers of the competence of graduating electro-technology apprentices. While apprentices were previously evaluated only by their workplace supervisor, Bob instigated change requiring the whole gamut of industry stakeholders to review the time spent by apprentices on required competencies. The result was increased reliability in the skills of newly graduated apprentices, overcoming industry concerns from the past of inconsistencies in practical knowledge due to the specialisation of their employer. The ACT was the first to implement this kind of training, which is now being put into practice in other states as a technique of national best practice. Other industries, such as plumbing, are now also looking to emulate the success of this training method. Through the ITAB, Bob worked in conjunction with CIT and New Zealand training authorities to develop the trans-Tasman agreement - a unified accreditation process for systems electricians, allowing employees to work in both countries under a single license. Bob also initiated a pre-emptive response to skills shortages in 2001 when he formed the Links Committee, in which CIT and the ITAB developed a tutoring program for ACT college teachers to improve their delivery of VET in schools. In his current role as Chief Executive Officer of EE-Oz Bob works tirelessly with industry to ensure best practice training methods. He regularly tutors CIT staff on changes to training packages and the ways CIT can best deliver these changes to the highest standard. CIT offers congratulations to Bob for his well-deserved nomination for the Commitment to Australian Apprenticeships award as part of the 2008 Minister's Awards for Excellence.
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Chief Executive Officer 