Education, training and employment: report of the Committee of Inquiry into Education and Training [Williams report]

This government inquiry was initiated to consider how postsecondary education related to individual needs, what the linkages were between education and employment, and how skill shortages could restrict economic growth. Its terms of reference were to consider and advise on the provision of education facilities and services and the relationship between the educational system and the labour market. The inquiry investigated all sectors of education in Australia as well as other issues including the relationship between education and employment/unemployment, access to education, approval and...  [+] Show more

This government inquiry was initiated to consider how postsecondary education related to individual needs, what the linkages were between education and employment, and how skill shortages could restrict economic growth. Its terms of reference were to consider and advise on the provision of education facilities and services and the relationship between the educational system and the labour market. The inquiry investigated all sectors of education in Australia as well as other issues including the relationship between education and employment/unemployment, access to education, approval and accreditation of courses, manpower forecasts and education planning, and the planning, administering and evaluation of postsecondary education. The report recommended strategies to broaden access to technical and further education (TAFE), to make greater provision for pre-employment training in TAFE and supplementary training, and to establish a National Centre for Research and Development in TAFE with joint funding from the Commonwealth and the States. The Williams committee did not recommend major structural changes but made a number of recommendations that advocated a process of rationalisation and merging of a number of the smaller colleges of advanced education (CAEs). The Australian Education Council (AEC) discussed the Williams report recommendations at its June 1979 meeting and endorsed the proposals for the provision of short-term training by TAFE. The establishment of a National TAFE Research and Development Centre was also endorsed and the Centre commenced operations in 1981.