In February and March 2005, during consultations held to develop new directions for the national training system, stakeholders agreed that a responsive national training system must take account of the views of all students and clients. There was support for client advisory arrangements to be maintained, particularly for Indigenous students and students with a disability. There was also strong support for considering the views of all students, particularly disadvantaged students. However, there was no consensus on the form that such arrangements may take. This paper is the first phase of... [+] Show more
In February and March 2005, during consultations held to develop new directions for the national training system, stakeholders agreed that a responsive national training system must take account of the views of all students and clients. There was support for client advisory arrangements to be maintained, particularly for Indigenous students and students with a disability. There was also strong support for considering the views of all students, particularly disadvantaged students. However, there was no consensus on the form that such arrangements may take. This paper is the first phase of a two-staged consultation process for establishing a national advisory arrangement that can provide advice to the training system on better meeting the needs of clients and students, particularly those who are considered disadvantaged. This consultation paper is aimed at canvassing input from a broad range of peak bodies and other stakeholders including equity sectors, industry sectors, registered training providers and teachers, employers and employment agencies, State and Commonwealth government bodies; and individuals in, or who have an interest in, vocational and technical education (VTE). This document is intended to guide feedback, and outlines and seeks comment on the objectives of the advisory arrangement, proposed principles for the new advisory arrangement and possible advisory models.