There are a number of areas that require reform if the vocational education system is to effectively support a modern workforce:
- lifelong learning - The VET system is still largely focused on an
initial learning opportunity on leaving school or entering the workforce with no
eligibility for future public funding except where a Labour Market Program is in
place. The modern workforce is much more mobile and will normally require a
number of career changes over an employee’s working life. We need a
learning system that offers opportunity to workers throughout their working
lives. The key challenge here is designing new funding arrangements for
individuals who will need to return to structured training on perhaps four or
five occasions during their working life. Innovative responses to this issue
are required.
- existing workers - The expansion of the VET system has been largely
for the benefit of school leavers and new employees. Many existing employees
have acquired skills through experience and on-the-job learning which often have
not been recognised. There are no public funds available to meet the cost of
Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC) for existing workers. We need
publicly funded opportunities for RCC to meet the needs of existing workers with
restrictions on the income levels eligible to apply.
- complexity - There are many complaints that the VET system is
‘too complex’. They come from enterprises and individuals who, at
times, will turn away from engaging with VET due to this problem. The
allegation of complexity can be overdone but it is a reality with too many
potential clients. We need to reduce the ‘complexity’ of the VET
system to make it easier for employers and employees to engage with
it.
- funding - Funding of VET is jointly shared with the states. The
federal government contribution to funding represents around one-third of total
funding under contracts of training. However funding is a complex issue as the
proportion of VET training hours for traineeships and apprenticeships only
represents around 25% of total VET expenditure. The remainder is made up of
non-traineeship/apprenticeship learning and involves a significant amount of
private funding particularly at the higher VET qualification levels. A federal
government commitment to meet an agreed percentage of growth in the traineeship
and apprenticeship areas would assist to build confidence in the future of the
VET funding regime. Accessibility to VET would also be enhanced by a commitment
that “entry level” training to AQF2, 3 and 4 when undertaken under a
contract of training will be publicly funded and not transferred to individuals
or enterprises.
More Information
- ACTU News: Vocational Education Is
Central To A Strong Economy - the ACTU will be relentless in advocating
major national investment in vocational training says ACTU President Sharan
Burrow. (27 March 2002 )
- ACTU Community: Workers with a
Disability Conference Outcomes - the Disability Conference acknowledged the
importance of education and skill development opportunities being made available
to workers with disabilities and expressed support for further action to
overcome the continuing under-representation of people with disabilities in the
VET system. (June, 2002)
- ACTU Policies: 1997 Congress - Vocational Education And Training - in this policy the ACTU Congress
outlines its position on Vocation Education and Training.