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This publication sets out the national strategy for vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. It is the intended direction agreed by the governments, and the sum of a number of specific strategies designed to deliver responsive, quality, accessible and efficient VET. The strategy is designed as a framework which will evolve and be periodically reviewed. Implementation will be through existing mechanisms, including State and Territory training profiles, national industry VET plans and performance agreements. The strategy emphasises greater responsiveness, enhanced quality, improved accessibility and increased efficiency. Show less

This Senate Committee report is the culmination of three years of close scrutiny of vocational education and training (VET) issues by senators covering education policy areas. It provides a plan for addressing the concerns about the adequacies of quality assurance in VET. The Committee’s broad inquiry into VET has covered many technical and complex issues facing the sector. The extensive terms of reference addressed by the Committee involved a detailed consideration of concerns held by the wide range of stakeholders in the national VET structure. The terms of reference cover the effectiveness of the VET sector in developing the educational skills of the Australian people and the skills formation and productivity of the Australian workforce, including: (1) an evaluation of the place of the New Apprenticeships scheme within the national priorities set for Australia’s vocational education system and the appropriateness of those priorities; (2) an evaluation of claims that the key objectives of the original New Apprenticeships scheme, as agreed by the states and territories, are not being met; (3) an assessment of the quality of provision of technical and further education (TAFE) and private providers in the delivery of nationally recognised and non-recognised VET services and programs; (4) an examination of the impact on the quality and accessibility of VET resulting from the policy of growth through efficiencies and user choice in VET; (5) an evaluation of the provision of Commonwealth and state employers’ subsidies; (6) an evaluation of the growth, breadth, effectiveness and future provision of vocational education in schools; and (7) an assessment of the consistency, validity and accessibility of statistical information on the performance of national VET systems, especially relating to apprenticeships and traineeships. The report contains 28 recommendations to the government. These go to the heart of restoring quality in VET, beginning with a renegotiation of VET objectives with major participants in the training network, but focusing mainly on strengthening institutional arrangements which ensure compliance with quality control processes.

The overview and recommendations are indexed at TD/TNC 63.458. The Government response to the report is indexed at TD/TNC 66.506. Show less

A review of Australia’s higher education system was undertaken by the Commonwealth Government in 2002. The Review began with the release of an overview paper entitled ‘Higher education at the crossroads’ in April 2002 (indexed at TD/TNC 71.381). The paper described some of the characteristics of the higher education sector and the challenges facing it. It raised a number of questions for debate and called for submissions on the issues raised. There were 355 submissions from a variety of stakeholders in response to the overview paper. This document, based on the outcomes of the review process, presents the Government’s blueprint for reform. It proposes increased Commonwealth investment of $1.5 billion over four years linked to progressively introduced reforms in areas such as teaching, workplace productivity, governance, student financing, research, cross sectoral collaboration and quality. Show less

TAFE Futures is a national inquiry into the future of the public TAFE system. The Inquiry was commissioned by the Australian Education Union (AEU) in 2006 to determine how TAFE can best operate in the future to ensure it is meeting the skills and education needs of its students, employers and local communities. The key findings of the Inquiry include: TAFE is working well with students and employers, indicating high levels of satisfaction at the service provided; two-thirds of employers want training done through TAFE; the federal government remains largely hostile to TAFE, continuing to favour policy responses to skills shortages that marginalise TAFE and providing funding opportunities that favour private providers; courses and services are being cut due to lack of funds; significant re-thinking is required about some of the national directions for training packages and the application of aspects of competency-based training; fees and charges are a barrier to the participation of many in the community who need general education and training; the TAFE workforce is one of the most casualised in the economy and these high levels of casualisation are counterproductive in maintaining a quality and accessible provider; and the squeeze on resources has eroded TAFE's commitment to access, equity and social justice. The contents are: The TAFE Futures Inquiry: a dialogue about the future with those who make TAFE work; Part A: The TAFE story and the challenges of continuity and change; Part B: What Australians say about TAFE: a summary of national consultations; Part C: What Australians say about TAFE: a summary of submissions; Part D: New futures for TAFE: renewal and change. Included as appendices are: Current research on partnerships in VET and TAFE: opportunities for the future of TAFE; Terms of reference for the TAFE Future Inquiry; Bibliography. Show less

This Senate Committee report is based on the premise that employers, unions and educators agree that Australia is facing some serious skills shortfalls which are set to worsen over the next decade without appropriate action. The first chapter gives the background to the report, the terms of reference of the enquiry and an overview of the issues. Chapter two looks at skills shortfalls and future skill needs, concluding that there is a necessity for the development of a more integrated approach to collection and dissemination of information on current and future skill needs. Chapter three looks at whether current policy is promoting the development of both high level and intermediate level skills, the nexus between the labour market and skill formation and the Job Network. The chapter concludes that the present approach to skill formation is not well suited to labour market conditions. Chapter four focuses on the current vocational education and training (VET) policy settings, funding arrangements and institutional framework for meeting Australia’s current funding levels and future skill needs. Of concern is that the current funding models and reporting and accountability functions of the VET system are not compatible with the objectives of development of a high skill workforce, promotion of innovation and the development of a quality, responsive system that can provide diverse responses to skill needs. Chapter five suggests that multiple training pathways are important to cater for diversity in both the individual and the work environment and examines some of the current arrangements for providing individuals and industries with seamless pathways for skill formation. The final chapter has two main themes: (1) the role of industry in identifying and responding to the skill needs of its workforce; and (2) the need for a policy framework that promotes greater industry responsibility for training its workforce, touching briefly on the need for consultative arrangements within the training system to include the full range of stakeholders. Show less

On 19 October 2017 the Senate established the Select Committee on the Future of Work and Workers, chaired by Senator Murray Watt, to inquire and report on the impact of technological and other change on the future of work and workers in Australia, with particular reference to: (a) the future earnings, job security, employment status and working patterns of Australians; (b) the different impact of that change on Australians, particularly on regional Australians, depending on their demographic and geographic characteristics; (c) the wider effects of that change on inequality, the economy, government and society; (d) the adequacy of Australia's laws, including industrial relations laws and regulations, policies and institutions to prepare Australians for that change; (e) international efforts to address that change; and (f) any related matters.

For clarity, this report sets out the key issues raised in evidence before the committee individually. Chapters are therefore divided thematically as follows: chapter one sets out inquiry administrative processes; chapter two looks at how work is changing in Australia; chapter three assesses arguments around the possible impact of technology on jobs; chapter four examines ways in which Australia's workplace law can be modernised and enhanced, to provide fairness for all; chapter five looks at our approach to knowledge and skills; and chapter six looks at ways the Australian social security and superannuation systems will need to evolve as work evolves. The report makes several recommendations designed to support the Australian government in preparing and committing to a long-term plan to prepare Australian workers, business and the economy for coming technological change.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less

This report focuses on what jobs and skills Australia will need to develop to ensure its economy continues to grow and diversify. Discussion around jobs often focuses on the here and now. However, if Australia is to maintain a robust economy that is internationally competitive, it must plan now for the changes, challenges and opportunities faced in developing the right jobs and skills for future generations. The report examines: how the next wave of the industrial revolution will fundamentally reshape business activity; the high probability that 40 per cent of Australia's workforce, more than five million people, could be replaced by automation within the next 10 to 20 years; changes that will occur in the five key sectors identified in the Federal Government's innovation plan; jobs of the future and exporting and outsourcing opportunities; how businesses operating on the technological frontier are adapting; what digital disruption means to existing business practices; and what policy levers are available to maximise opportunities.

Edited summary from publisher's website.

The contents are as follows: Section 1, 'Global trends', includes: Chapter 1.1 Reshaping work for the future / Lynda Gratton; Chapter 1.2 The impact of emerging technologies in the workforce of the future / Hugh Bradlow; Chapter 1.3 How next-gen computing is changing the way we work / Belinda Tee and Jessica Xu; Chapter 1.4 The impact of computerisation and automation on future employment / Hugh Durrant-Whyte, Lachlan McCalman, Simon O'Callaghan, Alistair Reid and Daniel Steinberg; Chapter 1.5 Case study: automation and Australia's future workforce / Michael Gollschewski; Chapter 1.6 Digital disruption: what, why and how / Sarv Girn; Chapter 1.7 Megatrends and Australia's future: older and wiser? / Fiona McKenzie. Section 2, 'Australian stocktake', includes: Chapter 2.1 Australia's shifting economy / Tim Bradley; Chapter 2.2 Technological and structural change in Australia's labour market / Phil Lewis; Chapter 2.3 Information technology and the Australian labour market / Jeff Borland and Michael Coelli; Chapter 2.4 Stability of education earnings gaps in Australia / Michael Coelli. Section 3, 'The future worker', includes: Chapter 3.1 Developing the capacity to adapt to industry transformation / Sue Beitz; Chapter 3.2 Closing the gender gap in labour supply / Patricia Apps; Chapter 3.3 Your future employer: yourself / Ken Phillips; Chapter 3.4 Where the jobs are / Phil Ruthven. Section 4, 'Policy response', includes: Chapter 4.1 The strategic imperative: Australia's place in the global labour market / Steven Callander; Chapter 4.2 Future skills, industry policy and a new social contract / Roy Green, Ian Marsh and Christos Pitelis; Chapter 4.3 A brave new world of higher education / Jane den Hollander; Chapter 4.4 Future skills in information technology / Hugh Durrant-Whyte; Chapter 4.5 Northern lights / Andrew Scott. Show less

This White Paper outlines the Government's vision for a dynamic and inclusive labour market. One where everyone has the opportunity for secure, fairly paid work and people, businesses and communities can be beneficiaries of change and thrive. Five ambitious objectives contribute to achieving the Government's vision: (1) Delivering sustained and inclusive full employment; (2) Promoting job security and strong, sustainable wage growth; (3) Reigniting productivity growth; (4) Filling skills needs and building our future workforce; and (5) Overcoming barriers to employment and broadening opportunity.

The White Paper provides a Roadmap to position the Australian labour market for the future. It outlines the practical actions being taken and the further reform directions required to achieve this potential.

Edited excerpt from publisher's website. Show less