Annual report 2007-2008 NSW Board of Vocational Education and Training

Delivering skills for the people of [New South Wales] NSW continued to be of the highest priority for the Board of Vocational Education and Training during 2007-2008. NSW continues to experience changes in economic conditions and shifts in the broader policy environment. For the Board of Vocational Education and Training, this has reinforced the need for a broad strategic approach to skills, training and economic growth. Highlights of the past year include:

The Board and the NSW Department of Education and Training collaborated during the year on the very important task of developing the NSW Strategic Plan for Vocational Education and Training for the next three years, 2008 to 2010. It is a singular achievement, bringing together State and Commonwealth funding accountabilities that link directly with the State’s regional and economic development priorities.

The NSW State Plan has provided the impetus for significant gains in our level of training effort, with continued increases in the number of apprentices and trainees in training. During 2007, 549,000 students were studying in publicly funded vocational education and training courses in NSW. The Board advises the NSW Minister for Education and Training on strategic policy and resource allocation to maximise the effectiveness of the State’s training effort, and coordinates performance reporting data.

During the year the Board undertook a strategic analysis of User Choice arrangements for funding apprenticeship and traineeship training in NSW. The analysis found that User Choice had contributed to growth in apprenticeships and traineeships and recommended changes that will increase the number of apprenticeships available under User Choice and prioritise traineeship funding.

Young people have continued to be an important focus for the work of the Board during the year. NSW is a leader in encouraging early entry into training for school students and school leavers and providing meaningful integrated pathways from school into training and work. A significant initiative has been the expansion of the take-up of apprenticeships and traineeships including the commencement of school-based apprenticeships in 2007.

By June 2008, there were 397 school-based apprentices in training in NSW. There are now opportunities for school students to commence vocational training at an earlier point in their schooling, in Years 9 and 10. In 2008, over 80 schools are offering vocational education and training courses to students in Years 9 and 10.

The second round of trade schools opened in 2008 at Campbelltown TAFE, St George TAFE, Queanbeyan High School, Tamworth TAFE, Wyong TAFE and Nambucca Heads High School. They bring together NSW government schools and TAFE NSW with employers to provide cutting edge training in industry areas where there is demand for skilled workers.

The Training our Workforce initiative announced by the NSW Government in 2007 for mature workers has continued to deliver skills recognition and further training in targeted skills shortage areas.

Excerpt from publication.

Delivering skills for the people of [New South Wales] NSW continued to be of the highest priority for the Board of Vocational Education and Training during 2007-2008. NSW continues to experience changes in economic conditions and shifts in the broader policy environment. For the Board of Vocational Education and Training, this has reinforced the need for a broad strategic approach to skills, training and economic growth. Highlights of the past year include:

The Board and the NSW Department of Education and Training collaborated during the year on the very important task of ...  [+] Show more