Key MP likes uni legislation but wants some changes

The member of parliament who is likely to hold the single decisive vote on the Jobs-ready Graduates Package of fees and subsidies for universities says she “accepts” the views of the government on the future of regional universities and vocational education, both of which get support in the bill.

September 28, 2020

Migration must play a role in Australia’s post-COVID economic recovery

Providing more information and transparency on skills shortages will be critical to bolster confidence in both our skills and migration systems, at a time when we will see both historically high and rising unemployment, as well as pockets of skills shortages. These circumstances will be challenging for the community to reconcile.

September 28, 2020

The five most powerful people in education

In May, the National Skills Commission came to life as the anchor for reform in the training sector, though there’s a long way to go. The new commissioner has only just been formally appointed, and state-based TAFEs are highly protective. Steven Joyce, the New Zealand-based architect of vocational reform, has spent months pushing heads together.

September 26, 2020

Appointment of the National Skills Commissioner

The Australian Government has announced the appointment of Mr Adam Boyton as the National Skills Commissioner.

September 26, 2020

I’m not a robot: How Covid-19 is accelerating the skills gap

While demand for robotics skills is booming education and training are coming under increasing pressure.

September 25, 2020

New $154m tech hub to ‘fundamentally change’ the way TAFE delivers

The NSW Government will on September 25 launch TAFE NSW’s $154 million Digital Technology Hub at Meadowbank in Sydney.

September 23, 2020

Skill shortage warnings as apprenticeship commencements fall to 1990s levels

According to National Australian Apprenticeship Association (NAAA) figures, the number of new apprentices fell 20% from March to June, meaning about 12,000 people were either stood down, suspended or cancelled their apprenticeships amid the coronavirus crisis. The NAAA figures show Australia is approaching the lowest level of apprentice commencements since the late-1990s.

September 22, 2020

Why skills – not degrees – will shape the future of work

The nature of work and careers is changing fast – and in the future, the right skills will be prized over academic qualifications alone.

September 21, 2020September 21, 2020

VET is an equaliser

For disadvantaged people with disrupted educational trajectories, such as refugees, vocational qualifications can widen access to paid jobs and enhance economic independence. But many still consider vocational education and training (VET) qualifications not as prestigious as university degrees. This is a widespread issue, especially in African communities.

September 18, 2020

The Philippines new chair of Asean tech-voc education council

The country now chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council for 2020 to 2022, the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) said Thursday.