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The purposes of this paper are to:

propose the devolution of additional powers to TAFE colleges in return for their acceptance of increased accountability and responsibility;

advise that additional powers devolved would enable colleges to apply corporatisation principles to their management and operations;

advise that VICAD does not propose that colleges should become legal corporations.

The background to this paper as well as the anticipated outcomes of its proposals are explained. Show less

As part of its on-going research commitments, the BSITB in its 1993/1994 Operational Plan identified several benchmark projects which should be undertaken. Small business is a significant contributor to the Victorian economy and BSITB supports the view that small business training should be as accessible and flexible as possible in order to attract maximum participation. In order to identify ways to improve accessibility, it was felt that an audit of existing resources, services and facilities was required to act as a benchmark. This Small Business Resources Audit was compiled in order to provide that benchmark. Show less

The purpose of this paper is to inform those working and making decisions in the education and training arena in Victoria about key policy issues. It is intended as a general overview and resource paper as regards the Education Department's Corporate and Business plan. It covers the area from primary to higher education and includes a section on resource implications. Show less

This paper discusses preliminary findings from a sub-set of empirical data collected for a recent [National Centre for Vocational Education Research] NCVER study that explored the geographic dimensions of social exclusion in four locations in Victoria and South Australia with lower than average post school education participation. Set against the policy context of the Bradley Review (2008) and the drive to increase the post school participation of young people from low socio-economic status neighbourhoods, this qualitative research study, responding to identified gaps in the literature, sought a nuanced understanding of how young people make decisions about their post-school pathways. Drawing on Appadurai's (2004) concept 'horizons of aspiration' the paper explores the aspirations of two young people formed from, and within, their particular rural 'neighborhoods'.

The paper reveals how their post school education and work choices, imagined futures and conceptions of a 'good life', have topographic and gendered influences that are important considerations for policy makers.

Published abstract. Show less

This report describes training and economic activity and developments related to Victoria's mining industry, bringing together a range of qualitative and quantitative insights from desk research and industry engagement. It highlights both the challenges the industry faces in attracting the right skills, and the opportunities businesses, training providers and government have to address these challenges. Key metrics used in this report include enrolments by sub-industry, qualification level, occupation, courses, age group, gender, learners facing barriers, provider type, reason for study and completions. The report also covers apprentices and trainees, and an analysis of the alignment between training delivery and specific industry skills needs. The report produces industry, sub-industry and region-specific findings and, wherever possible, presents comparisons to developments at the state level.

Excerpt from publication. Show less

The Vocational Education and Training (Amendment) Act 1994 requires the Victorian Minister for Tertiary Education and Training to review existing TAFE college council constitutions and to arrange for new constitutions to be issued. This paper is circulated as a best practice model. It is not intended to be prescriptive on all matters but allows college councils to tailor the model to the needs of their individual colleges. Show less

This review was commissioned in response to the recommendation of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Agricultural Education and Training [report indexed in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 110.663] to look at the feasibility of how Victoria's agricultural colleges could be better utilised to deliver agricultural education to school, VET and higher education students. The Department commissioned ACIL Allen Consulting to undertake a 10 week study into six colleges/campuses: Dookie and Burnley which are the responsibility of the University of Melbourne; Longerenong, McMillan, and Gilbert Chandler which are leased to WorkCo, Community College Gippsland, and GOTAFE respectively; Glenormiston, which was recently vacated by South West Institute of TAFE. The data analysis and consultations conducted reaffirm that agriculture plays an important role in the Victorian economy both in terms of economic value and employment, and that the skills within the sector are critical to its competitiveness. Given the importance of the agricultural workforce, skills shortages at all levels are an ongoing concern, from lower level, more practical qualifications to higher level Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Bachelor degrees. Specific shortages in technical areas such as Agricultural Scientists and Agronomists have resulted in some levels of international recruitment in recent years. Agriculture training in Victoria is facing challenges similar to those interstate and internationally. Production is seeing increasing capital and technological intensity, leading to reductions in the base demand for labour and the need for changed models of training delivery. There is a clear need to improve participation generally, promote a positive industry image, improve awareness, and improve participation in schools to counteract the declining interest in careers in the sector. Even following some strong growth in VET student numbers following the introduction of the VTG, enrolments in agriculture-related qualifications are no higher than they were 10 years ago. Most areas of agriculture-related higher education are also experiencing a long-term decline in enrolments.

The report is structured as follows: Chapter 2 provides an overview of the Victorian agriculture sector and current and likely future skills needs and training trends that will need to be met by the marketplace of VET and higher education providers in Victoria; Chapter 3 analyses the current provision of agricultural education and training in Victoria, including the role of the six agricultural colleges, competition in the sector and the colleges' market shares; Chapter 4 compares the utilisation of assets at other providers of agricultural education and training with that of the Victorian agricultural colleges and provides a summary of the range of alternate approaches that have and could be implemented to improve levels of utilisation; and Chapter 5 makes recommendations for the role of government and industry to ensure that any relevant market failures can be explicitly identified and interventions are appropriately justified.

Excerpts from publication. Show less

This article argues that the adoption of the competitive Vocational Education and Training (VET) markets in Australia resulted in shifts in institutional perceptions and practices. Using situated experiences and perspectives from quality assurance auditors, training managers, international students and VET teachers from seven commercial for-profit private VET institutions in Melbourne, Australia, the article suggests that there are emerging patterns of institutionalised market-based relationships, which can have long-term implications for pedagogy, learning and international students’ outcomes in VET.

Abstract from publisher’s website. Show less

This plan documents the Community Services and Health Industry Training Board's (CS&HITB) process of developing industry advice, priorities, and strategies for training in the Victorian health industry. Included are the outcomes of projects conducted in 1994 and the achievement of performance indicators in the Performance and Funding Agreements reached between the CS&HITB and its funding agencies. CS&HITB has been promoting training to the health industry. Its training principles, strategies, performance indicators, and achievements (as at September 1994) are described. A brief overview of the health industry nationally and of the anticipated international situation also is included. CS&HITB interpreted this data as further evidence of a high demand for health industry training in Victoria. CS&HITB research projects-in-progress are summarised, and the consolidated list of recommendations indicate CS&HITB’s strategic direction for 1995. This plan was resourced by the Victorian Office of Training and Further Education, the Australian National Training Authority, and by the Victorian health industry. Show less

This report describes training and economic activity and developments related to Victoria's wholesale trade industry, bringing together a range of qualitative and quantitative insights from desk research and industry engagement. It highlights both the challenges the industry faces in attracting the right skills, and the opportunities businesses, training providers and Government have to address these challenges. Key metrics used in this report include enrolments by sub-industry, qualification level, occupation, courses, age group, gender, learners facing barriers, provider type, reason for study and completions by related industry sub-sectors. The report also covers apprentices and trainees, and an analysis of the alignment between training delivery and specific industry skills needs. The report produces industry, sub-industry and region-specific findings and, wherever possible, presents comparisons to developments at the state level.

Excerpt from publication. Show less