Abstracts - Earli

The learning professional’s role in enabling the line managers to support learning transferJasmina Hasanbegovic, University of St. Gallen, SwitzerlandTraining effectiveness depends on a multi-dimensional, systematic transfer management whichsystematically analyzes a broad array of influences at the individual, group and organisation leveland thereafter generates appropriate high impact solutions and transfer interventions. Even if someresearchers as well as reflective practitioners realize the need for accurate diagnosis, theyinvestigate the measurement of key factors influencing training effectiveness from the learner’sperspective, but not from those who are responsible for the management of transfer - the learningprofessionals. Taking into account the new demands for learning professionals as strategicbusiness partners (Dave, 2004), this paper analyzes the transfer determinants for trainingeffectiveness from the learning professional’s perspective. The purpose of this study is tounderstand the challenges of learning professionals to be able to offer support and consulting forline managers in transfer management. Therefore, expert interviews and a complete inventorycount were conducted within a case study at a business school of an internationally operating bankin Switzerland. The business school’s activities aim at improving the bank’s business processes bysupporting the employees with appropriate training interventions. They are directed towards theline managers who are the contractor and budget allocator. The results on central transferdeterminants were analysed by focusing on those who are responsible for the design of trainingand their relation to the business.Diagnosis of specialised, social, cognitive and personal competencies in mechanical training – atheoretical and empirical modelLars Balzer, Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational... (SFIVET), SwitzerlandAndreas Frey, Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational... (SFIVET), SwitzerlandUrsula Scharnhorst, Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational... (SFIVET), SwitzerlandCompared to the body of research focusing on teaching and learning in grade school, research onquality in VET is still scarce. Also diagnosis of competencies in mechanical training is currentlynot based on empirically founded instruments and results. On the basis of the longitudinal studyQuWibB (Quality of Vocational Training in Enterprises, see http://www.quwibb.info) we firstlydefine competence and suggest a theoretical model for structuring competence. Secondly, weexemplify how we can approach the problem of competence diagnosis: An instrument is presentedwhich allows to diagnose the four competence classes specialized, social, cognitive and personalcompetencies in a valid, reliable and economical way. Then, models measured with linearstructural equation modeling are used to modify the theoretical model and to show how the fourcompetence classes interact empirically with one another. The high importance of cognitivecompetencies within mechanical training is finally illustrated with detailed results. Instrument,models and relevance for the field are discussed.– 454 –