This paper considers the impact and implications of globalisation and marketisation in Australian vocational education and training (VET). It maps the patterns of VET reform since the 1970s while attempting to make explicit the way these changes are theorised. A period of educational reform in the 1930s is used as an example and as a basis for theorising educational change. Building on this theoretical framework, phases in VET reform are described and the author suggests that since the 1970s, three phases or 'settlements' within VET reform can be identified: (1) VET as public provision; ...  [+] Show more

This paper considers the impact and implications of globalisation and marketisation in Australian vocational education and training (VET). It maps the patterns of VET reform since the 1970s while attempting to make explicit the way these changes are theorised. A period of educational reform in the 1930s is used as an example and as a basis for theorising educational change. Building on this theoretical framework, phases in VET reform are described and the author suggests that since the 1970s, three phases or 'settlements' within VET reform can be identified: (1) VET as public provision; (2) VET as market reform; and (3) VET as community partnerships. The paper concludes that the future for VET is no longer focused on skill formation and second chance education but focuses on VET as part of a broad education and training system enabling individual and community development.

The three volumes of conference proceedings are indexed from TD/TNC 72.49 to TD/TNC 72.51; selected papers are indexed from TD/TNC 72.08 to TD/TNC 72.11 and TD/TNC 72.52 to TD/TNC 72.100.