A corporate distance- education model for training of pharmacist’s assistants in South Africa Dr. Lien Els Hanna du Plessis

Introduction  Who are we? –Dr. Lien Els Head of PM&A Academy –Hanna du Plessis Course Co-ordinator

Orientation Clicks Musica Body Shop CD Warehouse Diskom PM&A PM&A Academy for FET UPD New Clicks SA LIT

Orientation  Distance Education Model  Pharmacist’s Assistants –PM&A Pharmacies: 83 pharmacies –Clicks Pharmacies: 800 pharmacies  Corporate Distance Education Model

Why Corporate Distance Education?  New paradigm in education in SA –SAQA Act 1995 –SD Act 1998 –Formal qualification while in workplace  For pharmacist’s assistants: –Qualification provides knowledge, skills, attributes needed to fulfill tasks –Opportunities for further learning –Increase productivity, more rewarding worklife

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Principles: –Based on Unit Standards, but also... –Needs analysis for the business –Active participation of learners in design of learning material –Mentoring / tutoring system –Appropriate behaviour, attitudes encouraged –Motivation of learners

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Principles: –Transfer of learning: knowledge to skills –Practice and repetition (tutoring) –Knowledge of progress –Time for reflection

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Content of learning material  Principles:  Needs analysis for business  Active participation of learners in design of learning material –What needs exist in business? –Are they important? –How can the needs best be addressed?

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Content of learning material –What are the priorities? –How can existing materials be improved? (Continuous needs analysis)  Sources of information –Individual needs –Organizational needs –Industry needs –Theoretical needs

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Method of training  Principles: –Learning is everyday part of job –Built into routine tasks (skills) –Also learn skills relevant to other employees in their department –Learners expected to coach / teach co-workers –Whole work environment geared towards learning new skills

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Method of training –Training material customised: content adjusted Learner can enroll for job-related modules only, or Learner can enroll for job-related modules with intent to acquire a formal qualification –Self-directed learning Learner have own career-development plan, which is discussed with tutor / manager Plan include new skills, gain new knowledge, long- term career direction, short-term career direction, performance indicators

What is Corporate Distance Education?  Method of training –Continuing professional development Continuing: learning never ceases Professional: focuses on personal competence in professional role –Peer group facilitation Small groups, identify facilitator for specific part of learning material. Facilitator is “expert” on specific area (eg. Stock management) Share tricks, tips, resources and stories Sense of belonging, importance

To conclude...  Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending... Maria Robertson  A seed, until it is released, is only a promise of a tree... Miles Munroe