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The Australian Universities Accord final report recommends establishing new institutions in tertiary education. Some of those new institutions might be smaller new specialist universities. However, where the proposal is for new institutions which are more teaching and learning focused, then TAFE with its regional footprint and history of quality teaching and learning can fulfill that role.
The need for new institutions was flagged in the interim Accord report and discussed by a panel last year at the Australian Financial Review conference on higher education in Melbourne. As the panel conversation evolved, from the audience I suggested that Australia already has the network of institutions that are teaching and learning focused that could be developed to build on this proposal. Those institutions are our TAFEs.
The TAFE brand is strong. It is a brand that epitomises learning and education, not just training. If those institutions are to be ones that focus on teaching and learning, especially in partnerships with industry and employers, then TAFE is exactly the solution.
Of course, the strength of TAFE is our close ties with industry and our practical education that meets the needs of employers. As institutions we have a broad remit of industries we serve. We can leverage these strengths in this new environment to deliver new solutions in a range of industries such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and health care.
TAFE also has a long-standing reputation for promoting inclusivity and accessibility in education. Our institutions are places for individuals from diverse backgrounds, from regional and remote locations, from First Nations people and for non-traditional learners.
While the Accord has a long-term roadmap, and that was welcomed last week by members of the government, the National Party and Independents, there are some recommendations that can be more quickly implement than others. To deliver new teaching and learning institutions we need to look to the TAFE network. However, it will take the full implementation of the Accord recommendations, including allowing TAFE to have some forms of self-accreditation, for these institutions to flourish.
Federal, state and territory skills and training ministers have agreed to add the issue of housing supply to the list of national priorities identified in the National Skills Agreement (NSA).
At its virtual meeting on Friday, the Skills and Workforce Ministerial Council agreed that a focussed effort of all governments was required to address critical skills and workforce shortages to meet National Cabinet’s target to build 1.2 million new homes over five years.
Housing supply will now be added to the NSA’s national priorities, while skills ministers will consider the necessary planning and construction skills required.
The meeting also:
With less than two months to go until the TDA Convention 2024, TDA is excited to announce a powerful group of speakers who will battle it out in the Great Debate in the final plenary session of the convention.
The topic for the debate is ‘50 years on since the Kangan Report, is TAFE still at the heart?’. This compelling session will revisit a pivotal moment in Australia’s education history. The Kangan Report, initiated in 1973 by the Hon. Kim E. Beazley, played a transformative role in shaping technical and further education. Led by the chair of the committee, Myer Kangan, the report TAFE in Australia: report on needs in technical and further education was published in April 1974 and recognised the integral role of TAFE in the nation’s education system. It advocated for a vocational focus, emphasising individual needs and aligning courses with the evolving demands of industry and society. As we approach the 50th anniversary of the landmark Kangan Report, the Great Debate will scrutinise and reflect on TAFE’s enduring position at the heart of education and skills development in Australia.
The Great Debaters, left to right: Professor Verity Firth, Claire Field, Craig Robertson, Christine Nixon, Simon Walker and Mary Faraone.
Team members for the affirmative:
Team members for the negative:
TDA looks forward to welcoming you to Sydney in May 2024 for TAFE at the Heart which will delve into the very essence of vocational education and training in Australia. Information on registration can be found here and the draft program can be viewed here.
The time has come to move beyond the outdated ‘trade or uni’ debate and embrace a future where education is dynamic and diverse, according to one of Australia’s leading dual sector CEOs.
Madelyn Bolch, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive, Vocational Education, at Swinburne University of Technology argues that the binary choice between university and VET is “increasingly seen as a relic of yesteryear’s thinking, failing to address the pressing needs of a nation grappling with dire skills shortages.”
In an op-ed in The Australian, Ms Bolch says the Universities Accord underscores this need, by emphasising the strengths of higher education with an expanded VET system that can address the nation’s skills needs.
Ms Bolch says dual-sector institutions like Swinburne – one of six in Australia – combine practical skills with academic knowledge to address both the challenges of lifelong learning and the ongoing skills crisis.
“This model not only aligns with the Accord report’s call for robust partnerships across government, tertiary providers, industry, and unions but also presents a viable blueprint for tackling Australia’s skills shortages head-on,” Ms Bolch said.
“With nine out of ten future jobs requiring a tertiary qualification, evenly split between VET and university pathways, the current skills shortage underscores the urgency of viewing universities and vocational training as complementary forces rather than competitors,” she said.
Wednesday, 20 March 2024
2.00-3.00pm AEDT
There has been a lot of discussion about the ways in which generative AI will disrupt teaching, learning and assessment in education. However, another important consideration is how this technology will impact TAFE compliance, operations and administration.
For this TAFETalks session, TDA along with our corporate affiliate ReadyTech, invite you to join academic registrars from Melbourne Polytechnic and Chisholm Institute for a conversation on the impact of generative AI on TAFE operations, some potential use cases and whether we are ready to entrust such critical responsibility to the machine.
Training providers that fail to meet student completion goals may lose funding, under a new skills policy released by the South Australian government.
The policy, “Skilled. Thriving. Connected” places a stronger focus on learner wellbeing and completions – rather than focusing solely on commencements. It also includes a greater focus on “ensuring the quality and integrity of training providers and employers.”
The Minister for Education, Training and Skills Blair Boyer said the policy marks the biggest change to the skills system in South Australia in over a decade.
“Ensuring students actually finish their course, makes sure every cent invested in skills delivers the best outcomes for the economy – taking strong action against any unscrupulous behaviour, having a strong public provider, and ensuring all parts of the training system are working together to deliver the skilled workforce our state needs,” he said.
The policy will see a move to “a managed training system with greater government direction on where investment goes”. It will be aligned to skills need and state priorities such as building and construction, defence, early childhood education and renewable energy.
It places TAFE at the centre of the skills system and encourages “collaboration with other training providers – with a strong role for not-for-profit, industry and other non-government training providers to complement TAFE SA’s public provider role.”
The NSW government has outlined details of its planned $300 million rollout of funds to upgrade TAFE facilities across the state.
The Minister for Skills, TAFE and Tertiary Education Steve Whan said the funding, announced in December’s half-year budget, will go to a range of refurbishments, including classrooms and campus infrastructure, new teaching equipment, and improving digital connectivity across regional and remote campuses.
The funding will allocate more than $36 million to 8,500 new digital devices and improved digital connectivity at 28 regional campuses. It will be used to overhaul outdated network infrastructure, improve Wi-Fi connectivity, and build cyber security resilience.
The funds will enable the completion of the redevelopment of TAFE NSW Kingscliff and the upgrade of TAFE NSW Coffs Harbour. At Wagga Wagga TAFE, there will be $600,000 for upgraded fabrication and welding facilities and equipment, as well as $500,000 to replace 164 digital devices, and $550,000 for a new Aboriginal Cultural safe space.
“This landmark financial injection into TAFE NSW will refurbish workshops and specialist facilities to train more electricians, metal fabricators, plumbers, and healthcare workers in communities like Wagga Wagga, Albury, Goulburn, Port Macquarie, Orange, and Armidale,” Mr Whan said.
“From welders at Wagga Wagga, to tractors at Wollongbar and Goulburn, and forklifts at Nirimba, and Albury, the funding will deliver new equipment to support the continued delivery of industry-aligned training to learners.”
In the nine months ending 30 September 2023, 1,074,005 students were enrolled in government-funded VET in Australia, an increase of 1.7% from the same period in 2022, according to NCVER.
Of the total, 52.6% were enrolled at TAFE, 4.5% at other government providers, 5.7% at community education providers, 34.4% at private training providers, and 6% at other training providers.
The most popular level of education was Certificate III (528,440 or 49%), followed by Certificate IV (222,290 or 20.6%).
Most training package enrolments were in Community Services (216,110 or 22%), followed by Construction, Plumbing & Services Integrated Framework (100,730 or 10.2%).
TAFETalks: The impact of AI on TAFE operations
20 March 2024
More information
TDA Convention 2024, ‘TAFE at the Heart’ – Register now!
8-9 May 2024
Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney
Call for presenters open now
Early bird registrations
Apprentice Employment Network NSW & ACT
2024 Skills Conference: Empowerment & Connection
12 June 2024
Dockside Darling Harbour, Sydney
More information
33rd National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’
‘VET partnerships powering a dynamic workforce’
10-12 July 2024
North Metropolitan TAFE, Perth
More information
National Apprentice Employment Network
National Conference ‘Skills for Life’
23-25 July 2024
Adelaide
Save the date
VET National Teaching & Learning Conference 2024
‘From Competence to Excellence – Strive to Inspire’
15-16 August 2024
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Save the date
National Skills Week 2024
‘It’s a Game Changer’
19-25 August 2024
www.nationalskillsweek.com.au
47th WorldSkills Competition
10-15 September 2024
Lyon, France
More information
WFCP World Congress 2024
22-27 September 2024
St James, Jamaica, West Indies
More Information
Go to individual JSC websites for event details.
BuildSkills Australia
State & Territory Workforce Planning Roundtables
February-March 2024
buildskills.com.au
Future Skills Organisation
National Forum – ‘Building a skilled workforce’
14-15 March 2024
Monash College, Melbourne
futureskillsorganisation.com.au
Powering Skills Organisation
Insights Update, 8 March 2024
Energy Pathway Roadshow: Collaborating for a Sustainable Tomorrow
Events in Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth, Bunbury, Sydney, Newcastle, Canberra, Hobart, Adelaide, Melbourne, Geelong and Brisbane.
poweringskills.com.au
HumanAbility
State and Territory Roadshow 2024
www.humanability.com.au
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