Create an environment in which continuous improvement is a way of life
Improvement processes take time and skill to administer. Day-to-day demands and disruptions challenge a VET institutions’ options to ensure that services are administered effectively and in the manner in which they were intended. Given the purpose and objective of the initiative however, it is imperative that the VET institution find ways to overcome these challenges. Insufficient time is perhaps the most commonly reported obstacle. In some cases, it is a valid issue and workload should be addressed before improvement processes are implemented. In others, it is a mask for other concerns such as perceptions, problems or staff discomfort. Understanding the root of the concern will be important before effective solutions can be devised. Some attention areas which can create an environment that supports quality improvement are:
- A culture that supports systems thinking, encourages discussion, is open about performance and variability, and that balances challenge against support
- Transparent sharing of data on performance
- Strong professional leadership and a team ethos that puts the quality of education first and recognizes the need to continually strive to improve;
- Team-based approaches that engage all staff in measuring, understanding and improving quality;
- The use of data and information tools