Newsletter

Is it possible to look to a VET future-state? Yes, if trends of the world we triangulate

The proposed US infrastructure plan of President Biden is eye-watering. A massive US$2 trillion – that’s 2,000 billion – and comes on top of the America Rescue Package of US$1.9 trillion.

I had the privilege prior to Easter to visit two TAFE campuses in Victoria, both back into full swing for the new year.

Like the swish of the light saber guarding peace and order in the galaxy, the Jedi project launched a stunning strike with the release of a beta Australian Skills Classification (ASC) in mid-March.

Industry 4.0 is not the preserve of modern economies. A report from the Asia Development Bank (ADB) shows how developing economies could leapfrog modern economies, similar to their success in getting ahead of COVID.

On Friday Christies sold a digital artwork Everydays: The First 5,000 Days and at $70m fetched more than physical works by better known artists. The sale positions the artist among the top three most valuable living artists.

Women constituted 60 per cent of bachelor level enrolments in 2019 and the vast majority are full‑time. For VET, women constituted 47% of enrolments and those studying full-time accounted for just 6 per cent. That’s right 6 per cent!

This year is full of big numbers for NCVER. The 500th edition of the NCVER news was released last week, but more momentous, NCVER turns 40 this year and the annual No Frills conference will be its 30th.

Leaves are wilted, colour pallid, petals limp. The soaring passion is now grounded in the reality of life – it’s a week since Valentine’s Day.

When it comes to vocational education and training in Australia, I have always been curious about the term industry and even more about industry engagement. The interest has been piqued by the discussion paper from the federal department on the subject.

With national Parliament resuming in Canberra last week there has been an interesting set of events which point to important priorities for vocational education in Australia.

The impact of the Joyce Review on the Australian VET system is open for debate, apart from three clear achievements – the National Skills Commission, the National Careers Institute and Skills Organisations (SOs).

Looking back over the end of 2020 and the start to 2021 made me think of the stirring address a federal minister for skills in the Howard era gave to staff of the department of education and training at the end of a particularly busy year. He warned, “if you think this year was busy just wait till next!”

The National Careers Institute has announced 13 projects that will share $5.2 million to deliver innovative forms of career advice and information.

In this final TDA Newsletter, I have been asked to reflect on 2020, and comment on how the experiences of this year may influence future years.

‘We know the recovery from COVID-19 will not be easy. But having a multiskilled, agile workforce is the type of resilience that Australia will need to get our economy back on track.  As with all major market disruptions, the training sector will have a vital role to play in reskilling Australians. I am optimistic about the future.

Reflecting on three years as TasTAFE’s Chief Executive, Jenny Dodd is enthusiastic about the extraordinary leadership shown across the TAFE network in a year which has been like no other.

Finishing touches to industry arrangements into vocational education and the Oscars of Australian vocational education topped off an eventful week.