Flexible learning program for acoustic consultants

There is a demand around the world for professional staff to join acoustic consulting companies, and in Australasia this demand is increasing. The extent of acoustics covered in undergraduate programs varies greatly, and there is usually the need to provide additional learning opportunities for new employees. While larger companies may provide training in-house, there are times when they are not in a position to release the senior members to provide such training. By contrast, smaller companies generally do not have this option. Short courses or similar programs can provide the necessary upskilling of new staff, but such courses may not be offered at times or locations that suit the company recruitment program. To overcome the demonstrated need for supplementary education programs in acoustics, the Australasian Association for Acoustical Consultants worked with the University of New South Wales to develop a fully flexible distance learning program, loosely based on the United Kingdom Institute of Acoustics Diploma program. The development, implementation, and experiences from over a decade of offering this program are discussed in this paper.