3 November Current Challenges of the Vocational Education and Training sector in Australia November 3, 2021By ICI Administrator Aspire 0 The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) which publishes Australian vocational education and training statistics, recently completed research into employers’ use and views of the Vocational Education and Training System. The report can be accessed here. Employer satisfaction with the VET system has fallen from 86.3% in 2009, to 78.7% in 2021. The reasons for dissatisfaction are: relevant skills are not taught the training is of a poor quality or low standard not enough focus on practical skills training is too expensive The VET system must be improved to meet the rapidly changing needs of employers and businesses so they can grow and be competitive, create new jobs and strengthen labour market resilience. The issues are known. There have been successive reviews of the VET system over the last two decades, including the 2019 ‘Strengthening Skills: Expert Review of Australia’s Vocational Education and Training System’ report by Steven Joyce (the Joyce Review). All identified key areas for improvements across the system. These included strengthening industry engagement across the national training system, increased responsiveness to employer needs and skills change, and boosting student outcomes through better qualifications. To address the issue the Australian, state and territory governments have recently agreed to reform the way industry engages with the VET system to ensure it is delivering for both learners and employers. Industry Clusters will be established to provide industry with a stronger, more strategic voice and a broader role in ensuring Australia’s VET system can respond rapidly to changes in Australia’s economy and build a resilient workforce that delivers on industry’s needs. Similar reforms with similar objectives have been implemented during the past 20 years, with significant changes introduced in 2016, which have diluted industry’s ability to engage and influence the national training system. It’s difficult to believe new reforms will result in improved outcomes. Increased responsiveness of the VET system is essential in meeting industry skills needs and driving economic growth. An efficient and effective system is required to better drive and understand emerging skills needs, qualification development and training delivery. This is important because access to skilled workers is a key factor that distinguishes successful enterprises from unsuccessful ones. But many Australian employers are unhappy with the VET system – employer satisfaction is the lowest it’s been in a decade. Industry needs are changing rapidly and the VET sector isn’t keeping up. And there are ongoing concerns about the quality of the sector itself, after the rise of some dodgy private organisations offering questionable qualifications. Employers need to consider how to ensure their teams have the skills needed to perform their jobs well. Whilst the VET sector works to improve outcomes and adjust to industry need employers may want to consider how they continue to develop the skills their team needs. Related Posts Challenges facing Australia’s Vocational Education and Training sector. Australia’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) system is recognised for its industry engagement, quality and capacity to deliver qualifications that align to jobs. Australia consistently ranks in the top three countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) for adult participation in VET. ICI Australia approved for Professional Engineers Assessment for Victoria The civil industry’s own continual professional development body, The Institute of Civil Infrastructure Australia (ICI) is delighted that the Victorian Government’s Building Licensing Authority (BLA) has approved the ICI as an approved assessment entity for Civil and Structural Engineers in Victoria. New Tax Breaks for Civil Contractors Investing in Skills & Training Federal Government announces tax incentives to businesses who invest in training and skills Don't Miss Out on the next ICI Australia infrastructure project tour ICI Australia recently invited Members to tour the Parramatta Light Rail works. It was an absolute delight! We were lucky to have taken a few of our esteemed Members along for this remarkable journey, and they were impressed with the incredible progress in civil infrastructure. The Institute of Civil Infrastructure begins partnership with Western Australia The Institute has continued to grow across the country with an exciting new partnership with the Civil Contractors Federation Western Australia. As the peak body for civil construction in WA, the opportunity for ICI to partner with CCF WA is a great way to support the men and women of the industry in their professional development. Changes to ICI Australia Membership and Courses After carefully analysing overheads and costs, we have made the necessary decision of a price adjustment to our professional development courses and Memberships. Comment (0) Comments are closed.