The paper points to VET\u2019s role in grappling with addressing not only \u201cincreasing demand for skilled workers in many occupations\u201d such as health professionals, technicians and trade workers but also helping enable job mobility. In addition, VET can help to address issues related to \u201clonger-term economic recovery and problematic gaps in the jobs and skills market.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adaptability also included moving rapidly to the provision of online and blended delivery and the development of new training programs to meet emerging and immediate needs. Thus,<\/p>\n

\u201cTraining providers effectively developed and\/or reorganised delivery and adjusted their broader operational practices in order to continue training students and remain financially viable.\u201d<\/p>\n

The paper points out that there were also \u201cquick, strategic policy interventions by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments.\u201d<\/p>\n

Thriving<\/h2>\n

RTOs developed their resilience, and after a downturn, student numbers rebounded. Thriving also means reshaping the training package model to deliver what the paper terms \u2018multi-layered skills\u2019 that combine \u201ca combination of technical skills and the \u2018creative, future-looking\u2019 skills.\u201d The paper points out to a European Commission argument that \u201cworkers who can combine technical skills with more person-oriented or \u2018soft\u2019 skills, such as communication, customer service, collaboration \u2013 and even empathy \u2013 are highly sought after.\u201d Thus, sector resilience is not just about skills adaptability but about psycho-social adaptability and the capacity for a mindset of transformation.<\/p>\n

\u201cDebates on how to develop, deliver and assess this necessary combination of technical and non-technical, person-oriented skills are ongoing,\u201d the paper says \u2013 but need to be addressed to enable the sector to thrive and survive in the longer term. This may mean questioning our present approach to competency-based training. This notion was also something there was a lot of talk about at \u2018No Frills\u2019.<\/p>\n

Other issues relating to \u2018thriving\u2019 include the effective recruitment, initial and ongoing training and development of VET\u2019s teachers and trainers, the paper suggests. Thriving also requires the development and implementation of short VET courses and micro credentials \u201cfor [rapidly] upskilling the Australian workforce and for developing workers with well-rounded, comprehensive skill sets.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, thriving relates to \u201ctackling entrenched disadvantage to skill Australia\u2019s workforce,\u201d including the long-term unemployed, women, and people with disabilities. VET has an important role to play in this process because \u201cultimately, there is an opportunity for the VET sector to support a more diverse range of participants through training and into jobs, and not merely because of the gaps in the market that need filling.\u201d<\/p>\n