Transcript Slide 1

VET in the Next Decade:
Options and Opportunities
Presentation to the
2010 CEET Conference
Virginia Simmons A.O.
Overview
VET as a sector
A new tertiary sector
The post-election environment
The VET Market
• 4,500 RTOs – schools, universities, enterprise RTOs,
community providers, other private RTOs, 59 TAFE’s
• Open, ‘light touch’, regulatory environment
• Issues with effective regulation – resourcing, policy
• Wide variations in performance
• Poor quality of some private RTOs a key factor in
damage to international student market
• High performing providers distancing themselves
from the sector
The HE Market
• Total of less than 200 HE providers - 39
Universities – 37 public, 2 private
• Total of 44 self-accrediting HEPs
• Many niche providers e.g Theology
• Protection of the title ‘university’ in law
• Strict regulatory framework
• Reputation less damaged by failure of
international student market
VET and HE
• Marked difference in government policy:
– VET Market: costs driven down
– HE Market: costs contained
• Differences in reputation
– VET : severely damaged domestically and
internationally ( slow recovery)
– HE: damage, but not irretrievable
• Issues for establishment of teriary sector
VET: A Sector?
• Blurred identity
• Convergence with schools and HE
– re-emergence of secondary and tertiary VET
• Disparate providers
– mission, size, scope, quality
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Highly differentiated learner cohorts
Industry, student, provider or government led
Differences between states
Damaged image
Tertiary: Bradley’s Vision
• Equal value given to VET and HE
• Recognition that institutions may have a primary
mission in one sector and still offer qualifications in
another
• A shared and coordinated information base and
approach to anticipating labour market, industry and
demographic needs
• Capacity for the whole system to provide an
integrated response to workforce needs for
industries and enterprises, inc in outer metro and
regional areas
• An efficient regulatory and accountability framework
• Clearer and stronger pathways between the sectors
A New Tertiary Sector
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New, extended national tertiary protocols
Alignment of VET/HE governance arrangements
Integrated regulatory framework (TEQSA, NVR)
Coordinated information and data collection
Funding equity
Research, scholarship, industry relevance
Qualifications architecture
Pathways and credit transfer
Tertiary Institutions
• Dual sector universities
• Institutes
• Vocational and Higher Education Providers – public
and private
• Universities with colleges and/or RTO status
• Polytechnics ( different models)
• ‘Omniversity’ – Canberra (HE, TAFE, schools, private
sector) Supra-universities
• Other new TAFE/HE partnerships e.g. Deakin,
Monash
• Franchise arrangements
Post-election Environment
• Reaffirming of ambitious government/COAG
targets:
• By 2020, double the number of higher qualifications
completions (Diplomas and Advanced Diplomas)
• By 2020, 20% of HE students at undergraduate level will be
domestic students from low SES backgrounds
• By 2025, 40% of all 25-34 year old will hold Bachelor or
above qualification
• Reaffirming of student-centred funding
• Increased importance of regions
• Regional Education Plans – universities, TAFEs and schools
Drivers: 2011 & beyond
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Achievement of targets
Improved pathways
Provider partnerships
Demand-driven funding
Meeting labour market requirements/skills
shortages
• Importance of regions
• International student fall-out
Regional Emphasis
Nationally:
• Higher Education Participation and Partnerships
Program (HEPPP)
• Structural Adjustment Fund
• Education Infrastructure Fund
• Regional Loading
• Rural Tertiary Hardship Fund
• Compacts
• Research income?
Parliamentary Committee for Regional Australia
New Regional Emphasis
State level – e.g. Victoria:
• Forthcoming election
• Victorian Tertiary Education Plan
– Chapter 7 addresses regional issues
• Tertiary Education Access Plan
– Regional Access a key priority
• Review of Skills Reforms, August 2010 - attacked
for failing to address regional issues
“Overall, regional TAFEs have experienced more challenges in
transitioning to the new VET market than metropolitan TAFEs.”
(page 9)
Benefits of a Tertiary Sector
• Greater chance of government targets being
met
• More flexible options for students
• Better match between tertiary offerings and
labour market needs
• More efficient use of resources
• Chance to restore Australia’s image
internationally
Future Trends - Summary
• Policy and funding emphasis on education
with strong regional focus
• More new, innovative partnerships esp.
between TAFEs and universities - aimed at
achievement of targets
• Possible reduction in total no. RTOs - survival
and strengthening of reputable private RTOs
• Re-configuration of VET
… Thank you …