Understanding on-the-job learning

The new skills maintenance scheme seeks to help LBPs make the most of information acquired on the job

Following the announcement of the new ‘mixed-model’ skills maintenance scheme in December 2015, a number of Under Construction readers made it clear they wanted more detail around on-the-job learning, which is one of two compulsory activities under the new approach.

Examples

LBPs will need to show at least two examples of on-the-job learning for their licence class over the two-year period. Each example can be a project where you have learned something new on the job that is relevant to your licence class. Examples include:

• Design and/or installation of a new cladding.
• Learning how to use a product or material you haven’t used before.
• Describing how you did a job that was complicated by a particular terrain, wind zone, elevation, etc.

MBIE has developed an online Record of Work and Certificate of Work form, which LBPs can use to record their learnings as they happen. LBPs will also need to include completed work on the job, and/or problems or issues identified, and/or lessons learned, and/or new skills acquired and/or other relevant information.

What about me?

Despite the occupational licensing team’s attempts to explain on-the-job learning in detail, some readers are still unclear about how to apply it to their own work. Under Construction reader Wayne, who is a construction manager/ property developer, asked us to provide examples of what would qualify as on-the-job learning in his position.

Assuming Wayne holds a site licence, LBP senior technical advisor Stanil Stanilov advised the following:

“Select two projects over the two-year period and briefly describe how he managed the construction process on those. It doesn’t have to be a very detailed description, just the basic stages of construction and how Wayne carried out his site management role on the project examples.

“If applicable, he may also want to include any new learning he has acquired in the process related to regulatory and/or technical knowledge, health and safety or any other professional skills.”

If you’re unsure about how to identify and record your on-the-job learning, check out the more detailed completed example below.

Other examples are available at http://www.business.govt.nz/lbp