The University of Western Sydney is creating closer ties with local training providers with Diploma Plus. The Diploma Plus pathways model was piloted in 2014 and 2015 by TAFE NSW South Western Sydney and Western Sydney Institutes, together with the University of ...
More »Obituary: Adrian Marron, Australian vocational education leader and advocate
A short term contract teaching position in rural Australia led newly arrived Scotsman, Adrian Marron, who died on 4 July 2015 aged 61, to a 20 year career in this country, during which he helmed some of the nation’s largest ...
More »Research: Who is delivering foundation skills
Finding out who is delivering foundation skills is important in order to ensure we develop a workforce capable of delivering these skills within classroom and workplace environments. “Foundation skills – which is language, literacy, numeracy, and employability skills – they ...
More »New Zealand review provides data for effective, robust qualifications
Meeting the needs of stakeholders formed the basis of a recent review of training organisations in New Zealand. Careerforce, that led the research project, is the Industry Training Organisation or ITO for the health and community support services sector in ...
More »From China, with fear
A close look at one critical neighbour’s education system reveals policy shortcomings in Australia that must be addressed before it’s too late. By Martin Riordan Living on a sabbatical in Shanghai has certain benefits. Up close and personal, the Chinese education ...
More »VET course withdrawal fees banned
A federal government ban on withdrawal fees for students who quit VET courses is proof that a deregulated education market encourages unscrupulous activity by providers, the National Tertiary Education Union has said. The new regulations, announced last week by the Assistant ...
More »One watchdog is not enough
It’s high fantasy to think one quality regulator could oversee VET and higher education. By John Mitchell Before the recent federal Budget, a thought bubble popped up in the media. The thought was that the nation could save money by ...
More »OPINION: Cast the sector in a better light
Reports have recently put forth a negative view of the sector; the full story must be told. By Phil Honeywood The past few months has provided some great news for Australia’s international education sector. Whether it be consistent increases in ...
More »OPINION: SA VET training hits rock bottom
Just when you thought the South Australian government had buried the VET sector through blithering incompetence, there’s a knock from below, writes Malcolm King The SA government poured $568 million in to Skills for All course subsidies over the past ...
More »Public scrutiny improves policy
The difference in how two Labor governments handled criticism of programs shows how bringing problems to light leads to better reform. By John Mitchell Just one glance at the policy failures in the VET sector suggests there is eminent sense ...
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