Australia’s Vocational Education & Training System and its Links with Secondary Education Growth Strategies for Secondary Education in Asia Kuala Lumpur 19 September 2005 Dr Wendy Jarvie Deputy Secretary, Department of Education, Science and Training Australia [relevant introductory remarks]

THIS PRESENTATION Why has Australia developed a strong vocational education and training (VET) system? How does the VET system work? Who are its students and whom does it serve? The links between secondary education and vocational training

developed such a strong Vocational Education & Why has Australia developed such a strong Vocational Education & Training (VET) system?

There are a range of reasons … Reduce youth unemployment Provide high skilled labour for a developed economy University qualifications do not meet the needs of all industries Re-training and up-skilling Re-entry to the labour market

Having a post-school qualification makes a significant difference

More jobs may need VET skills than university qualifications Current profile of population Potential pathway for jobs % of 15-64 population % of employment University 16.4 21.7 VET 30.0 62.8 No tertiary 53.6 15.5

education and training system The vocational education and training system

Australia is a federation . . of 6 States and 2 Territories: States and Territories are responsible for education and training

The Australian Government has national leadership on VET policy It also provides: One third funding for the public sector Funding for specific programs in particular apprenticeships

States and Territories “own” most of the VET system provide around two-thirds of the funding are responsible for regulating the sector administer their own training systems are the ‘owners’ of public Technical and Further Education (TAFE) institutes

VET has strong links with the other education sectors Vocational Education & Training Higher Education Schools voluntary education in the general disciplines or as preparation for a professional career delivery mainly by Universities, which combine teaching and research compulsory general education to age 15 or 16 (around Year 10) and 2 extra years of voluntary senior secondary studies (may be both general and vocational). voluntary work related education at the entry-level, technician and para-professional levels apprentices and trainees delivery mainly through institutes of Technical and Further Education

Vocational & Technical Education & Training A national recognition framework links qualifications between the sectors Universities Vocational & Technical Education & Training By sector of accreditation Doctoral Degree Master’s Degree Graduate Diploma Graduate Certificate Bachelor’s Degree Associate Degree Advanced diploma Diploma Vocational Graduate Diploma Certificate Advanced Diploma Certificate IV Certificate III Certificate II Certificate I Schools Senior Secondary Certificates of Education

VET is the largest post-school sector 3,331,964 students in 2004 VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING 1,595,200 students in 2004 HIGHER EDUCATION 944,977 students

Vocational Education & Training VET is an important pathway between education and employment in Australia Vocational Education & Training Secondary Education Employment University Education

Australia’s VET system has a number of key features A national system Industry led Pathways available Flexible and modular Competency, not time, based Focus on apprenticeships All ages benefit

National Training System The national VET system: national qualifications & quality plus competition Governance and Accountability Framework National Skills Framework Training Products and Materials Quality Assurance: Australian Quality Training Framework Australian Qualifications Framework National Training System

National consistency in quality and training products National quality assurance and recognition arrangements Australian Quality Training Framework National training products Training Packages accredited courses

Industry plays a key role NATIONAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT NATIONAL SKILLS FRAMEWORK Advice to Ministerial Council Input to planning & policy development Input to national research and analysis priorities National Industry Skills Council Industry Skills Councils Action Groups Determine basis for training standards – competencies Input to Training Packages & qualifications Input to recognition, accreditation & regulation

Training is Competency Based Time based training ≠ competency level attained Training Packages 75 Training Packages nationally cover 80% of the workforce outcomes determined by industry

Training Packages are the foundation of the system National Competency Standards Assessment Guidelines National Qualifications Training Package Support Materials Endorsed Learning Strategy Materials Professional Development Materials

Australia’s VET system performs well

VET Students

Students choose VET for a variety of reasons New Apprentices labour market entrants job seekers self-employed career changers skill improvers personal developers basics bridgers 17% 4% 5% 14% 28% 7% 9% 11% Employment seekers 37% Self developers 23% Career improvers 40%

A good spread of ages participates

Students learn and train in many locations TAFE and other Government providers Commercial training providers Adult and community education organisations Enterprises Secondary schools

… across a range of industries

VET participants are diverse 1.6 million students undertook training: - Male – 834,500 (52%) - Female – 760,700 (48%) 50% undertook short, focussed programs 89.4% undertook part-time training 382,400 were New Apprentices 211,828 students undertook VET in Schools

between secondary schools and technical training Links between secondary schools and vocational and technical training

Many reasons for offering VET in secondary schools . . Make school more attractive for the 70% of students who will not go on immediately to university. strong commitment to general education in schools balance this with more employment-related curriculum Support disengaged young people and those at risk of leaving early need for alternative pathways between school and employment meet specific industry needs in key locations

Nearly 60% of school leavers go into training or employment

Three ways to study VET subjects in secondary school VET in Schools School-based New Apprenticeships Australian Technical Colleges

What is VET in Schools? programs undertaken by school students as part of the senior secondary certificate provide credit towards a nationally recognised VET qualification training that reflects specific industry competency standards delivered by a Registered Training Organisation

There is significant involvement 49 per cent of school students Across 95 per cent of schools

All school types are involved

Students encounter a range of industry training

School-Based New Apprenticeships incorporate employment Based on a formal arrangement with an employer Opportunity to gain a recognised VET qualification in conjunction with completing a senior secondary certificate. Participating as a full-time student and a part-time employee.

New technical secondary schools aim to meet particular industry and region needs Queanbeyan Lismore/Ballina Darwin Perth Adelaide Gosford Hunter Illawarra Dubbo Western Sydney Port Macquarie Northern Tasmania North Brisbane Gladstone Townsville Gold Coast Pilbara Whyalla/Port Augusta Geelong Warrnambool Bairnsdale/Sale Eastern Melbourne Bendigo Sunshine

School/VET links are central to the new National Training System Principles Industry and business needs must drive training policies, priorities and delivery Better quality training and outcomes for clients must be assured Processes should be simplified and streamlined Young people must have opportunities to gain a range of skills that provide a foundation for their working lives Training opportunities need to be expanded in areas of current and expected skill shortage