What’s a Community of Practice? What’s the potential of re-thought construction education? What are microcredentials and micropathways?
Last week marked the official start of the Construction Education Community of Practice, an initiative led by the Washington State Construction Center of Excellence and facilitated by Aspect Works Director Jason Petrait. With industry, higher education, support services and state agencies represented, the group came together to explore shared interests and challenges, with a focus on:
- Getting to know one another on the call
- Learning about Communities of Practice
- Understanding the potential of the construction industry and related education
- Building shared agreements based on the open exchange of ideas
- Defining microcredentials and micropathways
- Creating learner profiles
Construction Center of Excellence Director Christina Rupp led off with a rousing call to action and an important piece of framing: “Each of you brings unique insights, knowledge, and guidance that are essential to the work ahead,” she told the group. “Your voices will help us shape innovative maps and practices that support the construction workforce—not just for today’s challenges, but for tomorrow’s opportunities. CECoP is a space where collaboration leads to transformation, and where shared expertise becomes shared progress.”
“We had an exceptional cross-section of education and industry on hand, from firms big and small to colleges and state agencies, all looking to collaborate, recognizing that what we’re offering now in construction education isn’t enough,” said Jason.
Jason shared a document, What Is A Community of Practice? with the group, running down why communities of practice matter, the key elements of a successful CoP, and the life cycle of a Community of Practice, highlighting that when the community’s work is done, the initiative either transforms or closes. The sense of a beginning, middle and end is important for a busy set of stakeholders that want to see outcomes and action, not just talk.
After grounding the group in the idea that the work is only beginning, Jason turned to Alissa Sells from the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges, who presented on microcredentials and micropathways, referencing throughout the exceptional work of Education Design Lab.
The next Construction Education Community of Practice will take place in December. Want to learn more? Join our next convening? Find further details at: https://www.constructioncenterofexcellence.com/community-of-practice
Need in-person or online facilitation? Get in touch via LinkedIn or email (jason at aspectworks dot net).