Incorporating Adult Learning Principles in High-Risk Equipment Operations Training

Abstract

This paper, primarily based on a literature review, considers the utilization of adult learning principles in training learners to operate high risk equipment. Vocational Education and Training sectors throughout the world are traditionally responsible for training delivery in these areas where generally andragogical principles as defined by Knowles (1970), are applied with, in some cases, application of a heutagogical approach, as outlined by Hase and Kenyon (2000). Aside from considering these approaches, a new approach is proposed, referred to as authology, with a basis of including notions of responsibility and duty of care in adult learning. There are numerous training programs in vocational education and training, such as those related to high risk equipment and plant operation, for which development of learner responsibility is a critical component in the training given the potential to cause harm, injury or fatality.