Australian leisure industry education and training: is competency enough?

In Australia, leisure industry education and training is engaged in a major re-structuring process. National standards and competency based training (CBT) criteria are being developed for all levels of training and education - from operative to management level positions. This situation is not unique to Australia; the UK and more recently New Zealand, have pursued a similar path. This paper discusses the implications these new directions in training and education have for employers in the leisure industry and raises concerns associated with such moves. If approached in a positive, consultative and dynamic manner national standards and CBT could benefit employers, employees at appropriate levels and consumers of the leisure product.