By the Capability Strategy and Insights team at the APS Academy
The Learning Quality Framework and Design Standards (LQF) was implemented in 2023 and is designed to assist with the implementation of the APS Learning and Development Strategy. The framework sets out the key principles underpinning all high quality learning experiences so that we have a consistent and common understanding of what makes a course or program good. At the heart of the LQF are 4 simple standards:
| It’s Purposeful – the learning experience addresses a need and is aligned to the agency’s strategy. |
| It’s User-centric – the learning is designed for learners and is accessible wherever they are and whenever they need it. |
| It’s Adaptable –the learning can be shared and re-used across the APS. |
| It’s Impactful – learning can happen in the flow of work or through other people, is engaging and the benefit of the learning can be measured. |
The APS Academy designed the delivery of the framework to engage the wider APS under the OneAPS model, ensuring all agencies had access to the information about the LQF and could share and re-use its resources. The LQF SharePoint page was launched in mid-2023 and has been the focal point of the LQF since then. The key feature of the site is the Resource Hub where anyone in the APS with access to GovTEAMS can download or upload learning and development resources, including examples, templates and research that support professional best practice in learning and development.
One such example was shared by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and is the scoping document for the Climate Risk and Opportunities Management Program Learning and Development Package. Section 2 of the scoping document introduces a table showing how the learning experience was aligned to the LQF and serves as a simple benchmarking tool for others to use.
Over the past 12 months, the APS Academy has promoted the LQF through inclusive design workshops, promoted events showcasing AI and accessibility, interviewed Michelle Ockers from Uncut and run 4 deep dive Masterclasses in performance consultation, evaluation, accessibility and the Continuous Learning Model. In the past 90 days, there have been 662 site visits to the SharePoint site, with the average visit lasting 38 minutes.
Our focus now is learning what we can from the impact all this activity has had as we mature our learning and development quality assurance strategy over the next 18 months to ensure the APS Academy is driving learning opportunities of a high quality. This will include a review of L&D quality assurance, evaluation, maintenance and business processes.
So watch this and subscribe to the APS L&D Community of Practice space for more information on how your team can be involved.
“We had just implemented our new learning and development strategy but changed it entirely to align with the LQF standards.”
Portfolio agency within the Department of Social Services Portfolio