Course facts and figures from teachers are not enough for many foreign students, it’s that little bit of extra ‘life’ support that can really help, writes Arfa Noor. Friends and fellow students have often questioned my decision to start my ...
More »How the government got agreement on VET
How come the federal government succeeded in getting all jurisdictions to adopt its VET reforms despite negative and bellicose initial reactions from some premiers, particularly those of Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria? As policy expert Dr Gavin Moodie told Campus ...
More »Keep VET firmly in sight
If the TAFE system tumbles they will not be putting it back together again writes Pat Forward. In recent weeks in Campus Review, a number of high profile commentators have defended the deteriorating state of the VET system in Victoria. ...
More »Quality teaching not markets ‘should be’ VET focus
Governments are sending unclear and contradictory messages to teachers, a leading researcher tells John Mitchell. COAG decisions on VET funding arrangements are of secondary importance compared with the future quality of teaching across the sector. Funding arrangements are simply a ...
More »Great Wall of opportunity
In a letter from Guangzhou, Stuart Middleton asks why Australia and New Zealand don’t train more Chinese tradespeople. I have come up to China with a civic delegation from Auckland with all the trappings that go with that – banquets, ...
More »Being TEQSA ready – perfect storm in education
Despite two years of upheaval and change, and criticism from uninformed sources, the public can be sure that teacher training will remain at a high level. The discipline of education seems to never be far from the spotlight of political ...
More »Back to future for VET
The recently released Skills for All Australians, as the advance organiser for the COAG discussions, provides a capstone for a process commenced by the Prime Minister when she was minister for education. As the minister, Julia Gillard gave a number ...
More »Should nursing be a four-year degree?
Some healthcare leaders argue that undergraduates need an extra year of study? Three experienced nurses share their views. Nursing is a four-year program in many parts of the world but remains a three-year undergraduate degree in Australia and New Zealand. ...
More »Leadership, now that’s a good idea
Higher education management seems to have moved away from the basic idea of helping students successfully complete their courses. I gave a little speech the other day on leadership in higher education. Much of it was pretty standard stuff until ...
More »Visions for VET
The COAG discussion of VET reform in April will implode, with most states rejecting Canberra’s attempt to control the VET agenda. The Victorian state budget, with Treasury usurping Peter Hall, will include a massive reduction in funds for VET, to ...
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