Paschal Somers

Position: SenPaschal Somersior Lecturer, Vocational Education and Training (VET)
Study area: Institute of Education, Arts and Communication
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Phone: 03 5327 6104
Email: p.somers@federation.edu.au

Qualifications

  • Master of Education, Monash University, 2011
  • Diploma of Vocational Education and Training, Canberra Institute of Technology, 2014
  • Diploma of Training Design and Development, Canberra Institute of Technology, 2014
  • Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAE4010), RMIT University, 2011
  • Diploma of Vocational Education and Training Practice, Box Hill Institute, 2006
  • Diploma of Training and Assessment Box Hill Institute, 2006
  • Diploma of Vocational Education and Training Box Hill Institute, 2006
  • Certificate IV Training and Assessment, Box Hill Institute, 2006
  • Certificate IV in Assessment and Workplace Training (BSZ), Box Hill Institute, 2004
  • Diploma in Human Resources Management, Institute of Management London, 2002

Teaching

Course 

Associate Degree of Vocational Education and Training

Units

  • Writing and Analysis for Study and Work, EDTAS 1203
  • Research and Reflective Practice in Vet, EDTAS1204
  • Developing Vet Curriculum for Training Providers and Industry, EDTAS 1206

Biography

Paschal has worked in the vocational education and training sector for the past 19 years in the areas of adult education and VET educator development. At Box Hill Institute and later RMIT, he specialised in designing, developing, and facilitating workplace trainer programs across a range of industries, including education (Graduate Diploma teachers), health, age care, rail, automotive, gaming industries (Tabcorp & Crown College), manufacturing (Cryovac) and justice.

At Australian Industry Standards (now Industry Skills Australia) Paschal spent five years in industry workforce and training package qualification development projects approved by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. His work as an Industry Engagement Manager involved multiple projects in the research, design and development of occupational standards in aviation, defence, police, public safety, and correctional practice.

Areas of Expertise

  • Industry engagement and partnership
  • Adult learning theories combining theoretical concepts with applications in practice
  • Curriculum development
  • Assessment design and practice
  • Recognition assessment in VET (RPL)

Research Interests

  • Teaching practice post attainment of formal qualifications
  • Teacher reflective practice and its contribution to identity and skills development
  • Recognition assessment in VET and professional judgement challenges
  • Industry workforce capability and the application of skills by students post training
  • Recognition and acceptance of VET qualifications by industry

Associations

The Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG)

Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA)

Researching Adult and Vocational Education- Federation University research group (RAVE)