1. 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]

2. 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

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

4. 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

5. Having a post-school qualification makes a significant difference

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

7. education and training system
The vocational
education and training system

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. Australia’s VET system performs well

22. VET Students

23. 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%

24. A good spread of ages participates

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

26. … across a range of industries

27. 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

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

29. 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

30. Nearly 60% of school leavers go into training or employment

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

32. 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

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

34. All school types are involved

35. Students encounter a range of industry training

36. 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.

37. 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

38. 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