In 2015 there were 257,000 VET in Schools (VETiS) students in Australia. Strong partnerships between schools and training providers are essential for effective VETiS provision. According to NCVER data, 257,000 secondary school students were enrolled in VETiS programs in 2015, including school-based apprentices and trainees. Interest in applied and vocational learning among secondary school students …

Effective partnerships for vocational learning in secondary schools Read More »

Australia has two tertiary education funding models – one for VET and one for higher education. The Mitchell Institute Victoria University looked at the tertiary funding models, including the fractured VET funding model, does the important jobs of advancing equity and maintaining the stock of knowledge and skills the economy needs. The Peter Noonan, Mitchell …

A single tertiary education funding model Read More »

The NCVER’s report Costs and benefits of education and training for the economy, business and individuals provides an analysis on whether there is a return on investment from completing VET qualification. The presence of benefits is an important factor in whether governments, businesses and prospective students will consider it worthwhile investing in training. In assessing …

The value of training to key VET stakeholders Read More »

Nearly 12 months after it was established, the Apprenticeships Reform Advisory Group has delivered a suite of recommendations that could change Australia’s apprenticeship system. Apprenticeships are gaining a lot of attention at present in various states, at the national level, and internationally too. There’s too much going on to pack into one brief newsletter article …

Government-appointed Advisory Group ask for apprenticeship system reform Read More »

The Australian Youth Development Index gives us a handle on how young Australians are faring. There’s good news generally, and sobering news as well. The Population Clock at the Australian Bureau Statistics (ABS) has the number of people living in Australia at just over 24.1 million. Of that number, 6.3 million are 10-29 years of …

Youth development – laying foundations for the long term Read More »

As Australia’s population is aging and are staying in the workforce longer, VET has a role to play in engaging/reengaging mature age workers. In 2012 the CSIRO released Our future world: Global megatrends that will change the way we live which identified six critical changes that will influence Australia’s future. What makes these changes critical …

Australia’s ageing workforce and the need to customise VET delivery Read More »

Governments across Europe have devoted a good bit of thinking time to designing professional development arrangements for VET teachers and trainers. The designs vary markedly, as is demonstrated in Professional development for VET teachers and trainers a Briefing Paper released in July by CEDEFOP (the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training).  Despite the …

Continuing Professional Development Read More »

Pathway programs are now a key element in Australia’s attempts to improve access to undergraduate studies for disadvantaged students. A recent report examines the effectiveness of sub-bachelor pathways and enabling programs. The 2014-15 Budget, the Commonwealth government proposed to uncap sub-bachelor programs and provide Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) for students enrolled in them. The proposed …

Pathways to higher education Read More »

Applied research is gathering momentum in the TAFE sector. An earlier newsletter article (RedSpace: thinking) looked at Red:Space, TAFE Queensland’s Centre for Applied Research and Innovation, and reported on a recent Innovation and Applied Research Roundtable held at Canberra Institute of Technology and hosted by TAFE Directors Australia and the LH Martin Institute. Applied research …

Recognising TAFE’s strengths in applied research Read More »

LH Martin Institute report, Profiling institutional diversity across the Australian VET sector provides an insight on the changes that have occurred over time as policy has evolved, particularly the evolution of contestable markets. The Institute’s study was supported by TAFE Directors Australia and the Australian Council for Private Education and Training. The report’s key finding are: …

Study captures VET sector diversity Read More »