Un message d'espoir pour un avenir radieux - commentaire du PDG Craig Robertson

In response to a question I was asked this past week about what I wish for VET, I said, one that is known as high-value, high-skill et high-trust. That’s my Christmas wish.

The VET sector has copped an awful hiding over the past few years. But the rot had set in long ago. It happened the day we said that the VET sector was to focus solely on job outcomes. We constructed our qualifications by the ‘here and now’ needs of that job, we limited our funding to those needs, and we measured our success against that metric, in effect, turning our VET sector into little more than an expensive training system.

Australia has a long history of high living standards off the back of the sheep, gold and iron ore and an, at times, protected manufacturing sector from which we have all benefitted. The new wealth is services-centred. And we will continue to grow the sophistication of our services through the deployment of technology and automation. I haven’t been inside a bank for many a year!

This requires new skills and capabilities. Turning a dial, securing a bolt, cranking the machine, pushing a pen, selling between customer and manufacturer are all in decline as technology replaces these routine tasks. Then, why do they feature so much in our competencies?

I’ve heard someone say these competencies are needed because we still have jobs that require these skills. Fair enough, but surely our task is to build all people’s skills to grasp the nettle the future will bring, even for those in these jobs.

The need is urgent. Our production and services are increasingly open to the world, either the inputs sourced from across the globe or our services and products needing to compete against suppliers on the other side of the globe.

Our skills and knowledge have stood us in good repair. But guess what? Most other countries have a similar strategy. This year I have been to China, Pakistan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Brazil and Argentina. Each has the same strategy. There’s a race for talent and I fear we are complacent competitors.

You may ask, “Where’s the evidence?” There’s plenty, but you know these things are self-evident. So, let’s get on with the task. Let’s enter the race with renewed gusto in 2019.

Many thanks to those of you who have taken the time to tell me you enjoy these columns in the TDA newsletter. Some who have known me for a while, possibly as a stodgy public servant, have suggested it is Craig unleashed! Others more impolitely, though possibly accurately, say it’s Craig Unhinged.

Either way, it’s an easy task. To shine light on the issues, to point to a better way and the gift of hope, opportunity and fulfilment available through vocational education.

In these coming weeks we contemplate the birth of the Christian religion. You may reflect on the origins of your religion and the hope of a future life it promises. Have you ever wondered, when communication relied on parchment made of animal leathers and pens of river reeds, that these messages spread so far and wide? I don’t. Messages of a bright future, often based on fulfilment through selflessness, strike a chord, even today.

The jostling and in-fighting at 1 Parliament Place Canberra has finished for the year and return on 12 February. That’s 67 days of peace! Let’s use it for thinking through the important things in our sphere of influence – quality TAFEs, quality training, quality jobs, and bright futures for all Australians.

This is our last newsletter for the year.

I have one little surprise for you. Our very own Christmas Carol. It’s at the end of the newsletter so you can read the other news on the way there, and as you do, start recalling the tune to Bon roi Wenceslas.

Season’s Greetings. Be safe and enjoy time with family and friends. If you are dining out, celebrate that it’s most likely a TAFE-trained chef who is preparing your feast!

We at TDA look forward to bringing more that is good about vocational education through TAFEs to you in 2019. Our newsletter returns on 21 January.