Nobody questions that the Australian economy needs a strong VET workforce. Therefore, it has been pleasing to see the VET Workforce Blueprint finally in the public domain.
The Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council forward states, “The Blueprint is a down payment and strong commitment from governments to ensure those working in the sector are seen, heard and valued” (page iii).
From a TAFE perspective our people are our greatest resource, and indeed the single most important thing that contributes to our vision and purpose. Having the right people is essential to servicing industry requirements and our students. To achieve this, all TAFEs are actively engaged in professional development for their people. They are all also actively undertaking workforce attraction and retention strategies, especially in critical industries where it is hard to find people.
Working for TAFE can be a full-on, rewarding career. The VET Workforce Blueprint states that there is “general lack of awareness of the range of VET workforce careers available” (page 37). As a longtime member of the TAFE workforce, and from a quick flick through LinkedIn where TAFE people regularly share about their 20year plus careers in TAFE, my experience is that TAFE is a great place to work. The diversity of roles I have held has made for an exciting and stimulating career. I’m not alone, many TAFE people have had similar experiences.
However, what has been missing for a couple of decades now is resourcing to enable the development of TAFE leadership at the national level. Therefore, it is pleasing to see that Action 14 of the VET Workforce Blueprint states, “Embed TAFE workforce leadership as a key activity of the National TAFE Network” (page vii). Everyone in TAFE is looking forward to the establishment of the National TAFE Network – a promise that is yet to be delivered. TAFEs are ready to undertake this workforce leadership development.
TAFEs are currently leading the development of their educator workforces and are pivotal to development of the VET workforce overall. The VET Workforce Blueprint states that “TAFEs are the largest trainers of VET teachers, trainers and assessors” (page 4).
TAFEs are also actively pursuing more advanced educator professional development. Therefore, it was not surprising to read, “in 2021, enrolments in university VET teacher education qualifications were reported to be in the low hundreds” (page 37). However, that is most likely being replaced by the development of higher-level courses by TAFEs for their own workforce. TAFEs are best placed to understand what their workforce needs and are looking to collaborate with each other on professional development innovation.
A lot of time over the last two years has gone into developing the VET Workforce Blueprint. Skills Ministers in their forward have indicated their commitment. The next step must be a commitment to action. The National TAFE Network is one action that will support TAFEs to get on with developing workforce leadership at the national level.
ASQA says that its annual environmental scan has identified non-compliant practices in the delivery of online VET courses.
“Common complaints we receive relate to inadequate support for students and low volume of learning delivered to online students,” ASQA says.
It says some training providers do not meet quality standards while delivering online VET courses.
“They offer insufficient support to students and prioritise cost over quality of training, which may compromise student outcomes.”
ASQA has drawn attention to issues around the assessment of online learning, including assessing practical skills, and the approach to simulated workplaces and remote work placement.
“If you use simulations to train and assess practical skills online, ensure they accurately represent actual scenarios, meet industry standards and do not adversely impact students’ skills development,” ASQA says.
Wednesday is a key day for users of the national training register, with the enhanced Training.gov.au (TGA) to go live.
The improved TGA will be more intuitive and accessible and will include a range of new features.
The current site has served the VET sector for 13 years, but the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations says that sustaining its aging infrastructure has become more difficult over time.
Ahead of the formal start on Wednesday, there is Training.gov.au go-live showcase tomorrow at 2.00pm AEDT. You can register here.
The enhanced TGA can be found at training.gov.au, and it’s possible to access a preview at beta.training.gov.au.
Thank you to TDA Associate member, the VET Development Centre (VDC) for also hosting an information session on November 13 on the new training.gov.au. You can join Nathan from DEWR for 30 minutes as he takes you through the new features and provides some hints and tips about how you can use it. Register here.
The federal and Queensland governments have announced an extra 4,100 fee-free TAFE places in the state’s housing and construction sectors.
The additional places will take effect from January and will include up to 1,000 pre-apprenticeship places.
An additional $17.7 million in Commonwealth funding has been provided for the extra fee-free places.
The Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said that “at every TAFE I visit, I meet students that tell me what a life changer Fee-Free TAFE has been for them.”
“Fee-Free TAFE has helped more than 93,000 Queensland students get a free tertiary education since January last year, building solid skills and a path to a secure, well-paid job,” he said.
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) has released its Global Statement on Artificial Intelligence.
The statement identifies the opportunities for AI to enhance learning, teaching and equity of access. It also includes a general overview of the current utilisation of AI in the professional technical education and training sector. It includes case studies, insights into future developments and AI tools such as generative AI.
Further, it provides recommendations for an ethics framework around the use of AI and potential risks which touch on assessment, malpractice, data ownership, as well as the mitigation of an increase in digital poverty across the globe.
The statement is representative of the WFCP and its members, and seeks to have application at international, national and local levels.
Jobs and Skills Australia has launched its new series, Total New Vacancies (TNV), a data source that estimates the total number of job openings across the country each quarter.
For the May 2024 quarter, the TNV reported 1,298,930 new vacancies.
JSA says that while other data sources provide highly informative, specialised information – such as JSA’s Internet Vacancy Index which focuses on recruitment via online job advertisements – the TNV uses additional recruitment method data that provide a broader picture.
The federal government is about to open applications for grants under the Building Women’s Careers (BWC) program.
The initiative will fund both large-scale partnership projects and smaller, place-based partnerships to advance structural and cultural change to improve women’s access to training and work opportunities in key male-dominated industries.
It will be targeted at construction, advanced manufacturing, clean energy and the digital and technology sectors.
Around $50 million will be available in grants under two streams – industry/sector-led partnership projects; and community-led partnership projects.
2024 National VET Conference
31 October – 1 November 2024
Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
More information
TEQSA 2024 Annual Conference
Navigating tomorrow: Anticipating challenges, embracing change
13 November 2024
More information
Seventeenth Annual OctoberVET
14 November 2024
Federation University SMB campus, Ballarat, Victoria
Save the date
TAFETalks: Delivering the National Skills Passport
Wednesday, 4 December 2024, 2.00pm – 3.00pm AEDT
Register here
Australian Training Awards
6 December 2024
National Convention Centre, Canberra
More information
Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG) 2024 Conference
9-10 December 2024
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
More information
© 2020 TAFE Directors Australia – Website Developed by G.I. Computer Innovations
