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Back in 2018 when I was working for TasTAFE in Tasmania, my colleagues and I wrote an opinion piece which had the heading, “TAFE study is not a plan B”. This heading and this topic are just as important now as they were back then, if not more so.
As Jobs and Skills Australia stated in their 2023 report Towards a national jobs and skills roadmap, “over the next 10 years, more than 9 out of 10 new jobs (around 92%) expected to be created will require post-secondary qualifications (Skill Levels 1 to 4). Around half (48.4%) will require a bachelor degree or higher qualification as the primary education training pathway (Skill Level 1), and around 44% will have VET as the primary pathway (Skill Levels 2 to 4).
To deliver this outcome, it is right to ask the question, what part of the tertiary education sector is best placed to deliver these outcomes, and ensure in so doing, social mobility?
While governments agree that more people will need tertiary qualifications in the next ten years, the policy constructs to deliver this outcome must not erode one part of the tertiary education sector at the expense of the other. Governments must be united in their response as to how to achieve this outcome. This is especially important for those cohorts for whom tertiary education is not the norm and for those industries where we need vocational qualified graduates in high numbers, such as the construction industry.
Last week in The Australian, the Education Editor presented an article quoting Ben Bardon of the National Australian Apprenticeship Association. Ben questioned the push for the growth in university education for those from disadvantaged groups for a range of reasons, including that it may impact student demand for apprenticeships.
TAFE study is not Plan B in three ways. TAFE study is not Plan B in terms of one of its key purposes which is to deliver qualified apprentices for Australian critical and priority industries. As stated by Ben Bardon, addressing the shortage of qualified apprentices for the construction industry must be a priority. There is also a great need to broaden those who engage in apprenticeships, such as increasing the number of women. It is essential to remember that those who are qualified tradespeople generally have high incomes, interesting work, and undertake continuing professional development.
Secondly, TAFE study is not Plan B because TAFE has a diversity of qualifications that learners can engage in. Traditionally people think of TAFE as apprenticeships, and that is critical to TAFEs’ business purpose. However, equally, TAFE offers a range of courses that provide skilled workers for the health and community industries, creative and finance industries etc.
And finally, TAFE study is not Plan B as often it is the first and best place for many considering accessing tertiary education. TAFE has always been the place that opens the door to tertiary learning for many from disadvantaged backgrounds. Its style of learning and its industry experienced teachers, along with its support structures are known for enabling outcomes for less advantaged learners.
TAFE study should never be a Plan B. TAFE in its core business of delivering apprenticeships, in its broader mission of delivering both vocational education and higher education for many industries, and with its supported learning environments, should be Plan A for many disadvantaged learners to access tertiary education.
In this session, we will explore the vital role of vocational education in an increasingly AI-driven and digital world. This session will highlight how digital fluency is essential for equipping students with the skills that employers seek. By fostering critical digital competencies and a solid understanding of AI, students are empowered to think analytically, communicate effectively, and develop personal brands that resonate in today’s job market.
CIT will share their strategies for enhancing student success through the development of digital capabilities and addressing skills gaps to boost employability. Additionally, we will explore opportunities to engage TAFE educators in building their own digital confidence, ultimately supporting our digitally skilled graduates.
Over recent months, states and territories have showcased the very best of the VET sector through a series of training awards around the country.
Australia’s TAFEs and dual sector institutes have been prominent in every award category and today, we feature those institutes, teachers, trainers and students who have been recognised for their outstanding contributions.
Victoria
Lynne Kosky Memorial Award for Lifetime Achievement: Virginia Simmons
(pictured) was recognised for her long and distinguished career in TAFE leadership across four decades. She was the first woman to become Director of a TAFE institute and the longest-serving female TAFE Chief Executive Officer in Victoria. As CEO of both Kangan Institute and Chisholm Institute, her achievements included pioneering initiatives to improve service provision – such as recognition of prior learning – as well as policy change and reform, and a dedication to improving community perceptions of TAFE.
Large Training Provider of the Year: Melbourne Polytechnic.
Apprentice of the Year: Matthew Tyquin, William Angliss Institute, Certificate III in Meat Processing Retail Butcher.
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Alicia Farr, Chisholm TAFE, Certificate III Aquatics and Community Recreation.
Teacher/Trainer of the Year: Dr Adam Bignold, Federation TAFE, Certificate IV in Cyber Security, Certificate III in Information Technology.
Industry Collaboration Award: SWTAFE, Mobile Skills Lab – Aged Care Collaboration.
See all the Victorian winners
New South Wales
Apprentice of the Year: Rachael Pearson, TAFE NSW, Certificate III in Engineering – Mechanical Trade, employed by Zeal Futures, hosted by South 32.
School-based Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Dascha Harrison, TAFE NSW, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, employed by Hunter New England Local Health District, studied at Newcastle High School.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Baylun Williams-Pinkie, TAFE NSW, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician.
VET in Schools Student of the Year: Gabriella Ward, TAFE NSW, Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, Peel High School.
Women in Trades: Jacinta Ferris, TAFE NSW, Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician, employed by AGL Macquarie.
See all the NSW winners
Australian Capital Territory
Large Training Provider of the Year: Canberra Institute of Technology.
VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year: Nadine Morton, Canberra Institute of Technology, Nursing Teacher.
Apprentice of the Year: Leanne Kell, Canberra Institute of Technology, Certificate III Electrotechnology Electrician.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Rebecca Grace Martin, Canberra Institute of Technology.
Australian School-based Apprentice of the Year: Lawson Connor, Canberra Institute of Technology.
Queensland
Large Training Provider of the Year: TAFE Queensland.
School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year: Chelsea Bostock, CQUniversity Australia, Certificate III in Hairdressing, St Patrick’s College Mackay, employed by The Art of Hair.
Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award: Palm Island Digital Service Centre. Partners: TAFE Queensland, Palm Island Community Company (PICC), Telstra Australia, Rainbow Gateway, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council, Back to Work, Advance Queensland–Deadly Innovation, Queensland Government Customer + Digital Group, MEGT Australia.
See all the Queensland winners
South Australia
Large Training Provider of the Year: TAFE SA.
Lifetime Achievement Award: Joanne Denley (pictured) for distinguished 
and influential service to the Australian vocational education and training and skills sector spanning 30 years. Joanne’s high level professional competence and extensive VET knowledge and experience have benefitted many high-level Boards and Committees on which she has been invited to serve. Her outstanding contribution to the TAFE SA Board as a Director since 2012 and Chair since 2021 helped navigate TAFE SA through challenging times to a purposeful and sustainable future for South Australia’s largest VET provider.
Vocational Student of the Year: Zander Lee, TAFE SA, Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical, employed by Adelaide Festival of the Arts.
Small Employer of the Year: CJM Electrical Services, TAFE SA delivers off-the-job training while PEER provides support as the group training organisation (GTO).
See all the South Australian winners
Tasmania
Apprentice of the Year: Benjamin Barker, TasTAFE, Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology, employed by Veolia Environmental Services.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Harley Mansell, TasTAFE, Certificate III in Guiding, employed by wukalina Walk.
Equity Apprentice/Trainee of the Year: Ryan Frosi, TasTAFE, Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology, employed by Vokes Mechanical and Engineering.
Small Employer of the Year: Howrah Plumbing, provides plumbing services to Southern Tasmania, with more than 150 apprentices and trainees, and encourages continuing with Certificate IV at TasTAFE.
The Lance Barnard Memorial Award: Hadi Rezaie, TasTAFE, Certificate III in Dental Assisting, employed by Work & Training, hosted by Oral Health Tasmania.
See all the Tasmanian winners
Northern Territory
Large Training Provider of the Year: Charles Darwin University.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year: Vanessa Williams, Charles Darwin University, Certificate III in Business.
Austin Asche Apprentice of the Year: Asinate Bradbury, Charles Darwin University, Certificate III in Heavy Commercial Vehicle Mechanical Technology.
School-based Apprentice of the Year: Zane Edwards, Charles Darwin University, Certificate III in Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration.
VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year: Maureen Simon, Charles Darwin University.
Vocational Student of the Year: Courtney Stewart, Charles Darwin University, Diploma of Beauty Therapy.
See all the Northern Territory winners
Western Australia
Trainer of the Year: Lisa Piller, South Metropolitan TAFE, Fashion and Fashion Business.
Apprentice of the Year: Ellie Wotherspoon, South Metropolitan TAFE, Certificate III in Engineering (Industrial Electrician), employed by Woodside Energy.
Cultural Diversity Training Award: Tingting Cai, North Metropolitan TAFE, Certificate IV in Business, employed by Crown Resorts Perth.
Trainee of the Year: Almira Dall, Western Dairy/South Regional TAFE, Certificate IV in Agriculture, employed by Kerridge Farm Pty Ltd.
See all the West Australian winners
More than 150,000 Australians enrolled in fee free TAFE courses in the first half of 2024, taking total enrolments to over half a million.
Figures released by the federal government show that from 1 January to 30 June 2024, 153,332 enrolments were reported, which represents 50.9% of the more than 300,000 places committed to the end of 2026.
Between January 2023 and June 2024, there were 508,889 enrolments in fee free TAFE courses. Over that period, the enrolments include:
Students from regional and remote areas comprise almost 35% of total enrolments.
The Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles said fee free TAFE continues to be an enormous success helping Australians to get ahead while easing cost of living pressures.
”More than half a million Australians are gaining skills and the opportunity to work in meaningful jobs that give back to their community, “he said.
Kangan Institute’s Bev Williams (pictured above) has been recognised for her exceptional contributions to vocational education, receiving the World Federation Colleges and Polytechnics (WFCP) Awards of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Award (Gold) in Jamaica last week.
The award celebrates the instrumental role Bev has played to connect more than 1,000 TAFE students to work and apprenticeship opportunities over the last 20 years.
Bev is an industry placements coordinator at Kangan Institute who has specialised in the automotive sector for more than 10 years, based out of the Automotive Centre of Excellence at the world-class Kangan Institute Docklands campus.
Other winners include Raelene Stockton from Chisholm Institute, who was awarded Gold in the Leadership in Diversity and Inclusion category.
Also taking Gold was Chisholm Institute student, Leela Subramaniam, in the Outstanding Student Achievement Award.
The award recipients were announced during the opening ceremony of the 2024 World Congress in Montego Bay, Jamaica.
“Our awards of excellence acknowledge the greatest talent the world has within technical and vocational education,” says WFCP Board Chair, Dawn Ward.
Federation TAFE and East Grampians Health Services are working on innovative approaches to address health and community workforce shortages in the East Grampians region.
The partnership began in 2016 with the delivery of the Diploma of Nursing in Ararat, and the common goal of securing a sustainable nursing workforce in the Grampians. Since then, more than 60 students have graduated with half of those continuing employment at EGHS and several progressing to the Bachelor of Nursing at Federation University.
Federation and EGHS are now working together to address a gap in the pathway to the Diploma of Nursing with the introduction of a Certificate III in Individual Support traineeship delivered locally at EGHS in Ararat.
As part of national AI Month, the Future Skills Organisation is holding a webinar that will explore the impact of AI on Australian workers.
It is being held in partnership with the UTS Human Technology Institute (HTI) and will feature insights from HTI’s recent ‘Invisible Bystanders’ report, which sheds light on how workers are experiencing AI and the integration of automation into their daily roles.
The webinar will be held 14 October, 12:00-1:00pm AEDT and will include a presentation, panel discussion and audience Q&A.
Speakers are Patrick Kidd, CEO of Future Skills Organisation, and Nicholas Davis, Industry Professor, Emerging Technology, University of Technology Sydney.
The World Federation of Colleges and Polytechnics’ (WFCP) Sustainable Development Goals Affinity Group will be discussing global perspectives on embedding the SDGs in VET at a webinar on October 14.
It will feature case studies from Australia, Wales and Canada, as well as a United Nations global perspective.
Anna Rose, Chief Executive Officer of Environmental Leadership Australia has, for two decades, focused on advancing climate action in Australia. Her presentation is titled ‘The Burning Platform’.
Karen Dickinson, SDG Affinity Group Australia Co-Lead and General Manager, TAFE Queensland Gold Coast, will present a local case study, ‘Engage, Empower, Embed – Sustainability Excellence at Robina Campus’.
AVETRA 2024 Conference
3-4 October 2024
University of Technology, Sydney
More information
Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affinity Group Symposia – Global perspectives in embedding the SDGs in vocational training
14 October 2024, 9:00am – 11.45am AEST
Register
Future Skills Organisation webinar
UTS Human Technology Institute ‘Invisible Bystanders’ report
14 October 2024
Register
TAFETalks: Enhancing Student Futures with Digital Proficiency
Wednesday, 16 October 2024, 2.00pm – 3.00pm AEDT
Register here
Community Colleges Australia Conference
21-23 October 2024
Sydney
More information
2024 National Conference on University Governance
Shaping the Future of Higher Education
22-24 October 2024
Melbourne
More information
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
Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group (ACDEVEG) 2024 Conference
9-10 December 2024
Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane
More information
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