NewsVET & TAFE
Not always better by degrees
The trend towards looking down on mid-level qualifications hurts young people and the economy. By Stuart Middleton.
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The trend towards looking down on mid-level qualifications hurts young people and the economy. By Stuart Middleton.
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It would indeed be good to re establish progression from mid level qualifications and occupations to higher qualifications and occupations. However, these opportunities are being lost in employment, and there is little that tertiary education can do about it: see the reports and case studies for mid level qualifications for the Ncver by Bexley, Fredman, Wheelahan and me.
Furthermore, while outcomes for diplomas are better than for people who only completed secondary education, outcomes are much better for baccalaureates. In these circumstances the preference of students, parents and careers advisers for degrees over diplomas is not ignorance or snobbery but a rational choice based on the different rewards constructed by governments and employers.
Gavin Moodie
RMIT