Foundations for the future: Skills Australia position paper

Skills Australia’s position paper ‘Foundations for the future’ has been released for consultation. It contains proposals for a new governance framework for the national training system. Underpinned by distinctive provisions to support the unique characteristics of the vocational education and training (VET) sector and its users, the paper proposes a new governance model which is clear about responsibilities, relationships and lines of communication. This position paper identifies six underpinning functions of the national training system’s future governance and architecture and Skills...  [+] Show more

Skills Australia’s position paper ‘Foundations for the future’ has been released for consultation. It contains proposals for a new governance framework for the national training system. Underpinned by distinctive provisions to support the unique characteristics of the vocational education and training (VET) sector and its users, the paper proposes a new governance model which is clear about responsibilities, relationships and lines of communication. This position paper identifies six underpinning functions of the national training system’s future governance and architecture and Skills Australia proposes these as the framework on which a more cohesive and streamlined system can be established. The functions are: (1) leading a unified vision for skills to support a national economy; (2) providing strategic advice and the evidence for reform; (3) investing wisely and effectively in skills and workforce development; (4) regulating and ensuring quality services and products; (5) using information to inform decision making, quality and client choice; and (6) providing training services that meet needs. This framework is a foundation for Skills Australia’s advice and has influenced our decision to support: the establishment of a single Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education; a workforce development function for skills across the whole economy and advice on the effectiveness of the tertiary sector in delivering the nation’s requirements; a recasting of the policy framework for training market reform. An expansion of contestability should occur, complemented by strengthened and more consistent national regulation to ensure safeguards are in place to guarantee the quality of training; and a coordinated national approach to tertiary education regulation led initially by two separate national regulatory bodies - with a statutory body of independent experts for VET.

Published summary.

The findings and recommendations are indexed at TD/LMR 85.702.