The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

how do we get the two systems working together?

  • Written by Gwilym Croucher, Associate Professor, Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education, The University of Melbourne

There is no doubt the federal government has big ambitions for the Universities Accord. Set up last November, the interim report[1] was made public on Wednesday.

This is the first broad review of higher education since the 2008 Bradley Review. If the government’s aspirations are met[2], it could mean the most significant changes to Australian higher education in a generation.

The interim report covers many different issues, from student fees[3] to governance, teaching, international students, student wellbeing and research.

But the interim report also asks us to think more broadly about the entire education system post-high school. This includes both vocational education and training (VET) providers (such as TAFE) and universities. It wants to see the whole tertiary education “pursue greater opportunities for alignment and collaboration”.

Why is this important? And how can this be done?

What does ‘alignment’ and ‘collaboration’ mean here?

When politicians and education commentators talk about the university and vocational sectors collaborating more, this can mean many different things.

This can include creating pathways between vocational and higher education, including how prior study in each is recognised.

It could also include universities, vocational education and training providers and employers collaborating in the design and delivery of their courses. It can also means students have the right incentives at every stage of their lives to connect with the type of education that is right for them at the time.

Attempts to better integrate post-secondary education are not new - and there have been effort since at least the time of former education minster John Dawkins in the 1980s.

But progress has been slow, with VET largely under the purview of state government while higher education is largely funded federally.

Why is this important?

If university and vocational education systems work together more, we will have a more flexible and more functional education system.

The report states that over the next two decades Australian workers will change jobs an estimated 2.4 times and it is estimated tasks within Australian jobs will change by 18% every decade. Even if these estimates prove wrong, there is broad recognition that updating skills is something workers will need to do over their working lives.

As the report notes, “many students move between the higher education and vocational education sectors during their lifetime”.

Vocational education can be an entry pathway into higher education. Or people will complement their higher education with job-specific skills from vocational education.

These transitions should be as seamless as possible.

Changing educational landscape worldwide

Any collaboration will occur against a backdrop of big changes coming to post-secondary education all around the world.

Just before the pandemic, global enrolments in higher education and higher vocational education were estimated[4] at more than 200 million people. Around two-thirds of these students were in developing or recently developed countries. Overall, it is estimated global higher education and upper vocational education has grown by more than 50% in the past 20 years.

It is argued[5] this growth is driven by the expansion of higher education in developing countries, particularly India. This means the locus of higher education will increasingly move away from wealthy countries.

Since 2011, the number of university students in wealthy countries has plateaued and, in some cases, even declined. One of the reasons for this is demographic changes, as large proportion of the populations in many wealthy countries age.

For Australia, like other countries, this presents many challenges, not least because there will be less people of working age. This only increases the importance of ensuring post-school education delivers the skills and workers our society and economy need.

A man in hi-vis clothes pushes a pram through the Sydney CBD.
Australia’s ageing population means there will be less people of working age as a proportion of the population . Jane Dempster/AAP

What is being proposed?

The report calls for a conversation about making it easier for students to move between vocational education and university settings as well as more consistency around how prior learning is credited and recognised.

Rules can be a challenge here, especially where vocational courses are industry specific. The government is yet to fully respond to a 2019 review[6] of the Australian Qualifications Framework, which remains an important piece of the puzzle.

The accord interim report proposes extending federal funding and HELP loans beyond the universities to TAFEs, to provide financial support to some of their programs.

It also suggests “Cooperative Skills Centres”, where universities and vocational education providers would work together as “joint ventures for fast skilling up in areas of urgent industry need”.

On top of this, it asks whether there should be a requirement (maybe a regulation) for the two sectors to work more together.

This suggests a more heavy-handed approach could be on the table, and given the slow progress in aligning higher education and VET it might be an attractive option to some.

Read more: The National Skills Agreement needs time in the policy spotlight and it must include these 3 things[7]

‘Must adapt’

So far, the accord process is picking up on a significant opportunity here for Australia – to create a more integrated system for post-high school education. As the report notes:

The tertiary sector must adapt to facilitate growth in lifelong learning.

Responses to the interim report are due in September, with a final report expected in December.

Read more: The universities accord could see the most significant changes to Australian unis in a generation[8]

References

  1. ^ interim report (theconversation.com)
  2. ^ government’s aspirations are met (theconversation.com)
  3. ^ student fees (theconversation.com)
  4. ^ estimated (data.uis.unesco.org)
  5. ^ argued (higheredstrategy.com)
  6. ^ review (www.education.gov.au)
  7. ^ The National Skills Agreement needs time in the policy spotlight and it must include these 3 things (theconversation.com)
  8. ^ The universities accord could see the most significant changes to Australian unis in a generation (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/many-australians-will-need-to-study-at-both-tafe-and-uni-how-do-we-get-the-two-systems-working-together-210136

The Times Features

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Uncover the Elegance of Gorgeous Diamond Tennis Necklaces

Key Highlights Diamond tennis necklaces are a timeless piece of jewelry that exudes elegance and sophistication. They feature a continuous line of brilliant-cut diamonds, cre...

Dental Implants vs. Dentures: Which Is Better for You?

When it comes to replacing missing teeth, two of the most common options are dental implants and dentures. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, so choosing between them ...

What Neck Pain Really Means (And Why It’s More Than Just Poor Posture)

Neck pain is often brushed off as something temporary — a tight spot after a long day at the desk or a poor night’s sleep. But when the discomfort keeps returning, it could be a ...

The Work of Gosha Rubchinskiy: Fashion, Culture, and Youth

From Designer to Cultural Architect Gosha Rubchinskiy is not just a fashion designer—he's a cultural force. Born in Moscow in 1984, Rubchinskiy began his career in fashion in t...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping