Report to the International Finance Corporation: TVET in China: Australian consultants' case studies

This report has been prepared for the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank. The purpose of the International Finance Corporation China Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) project is to explore issues in four regions of the world, including China and Australia, in relation to TVET best practice. The project will make recommendations to the Ministry of Finance in China as to how the Chinese TVET system can move closer to these characteristics in order to meet the standards of world's best practice. The process has involved researching the case studies of China and Australia, as well as two industry case studies in both China and Australia. The two Chinese case studies examine the automotive industry in Chongqing specifically and the power industry from a national perspective. The two Australian case studies examine the automotive manufacturing industry and the finance and securities industry. This report consists of an introduction to the International Finance Corporation China TVET project and the methodology used to undertake the research. The second and third sections of the report review TVET in Australia and China respectively. Each section outlines the history and context of that country, the structures currently in place, the current status of TVET and an analysis of how the TVET system can be compared with the International Finance Corporation best practice characteristics for TVET. In section four, the focus is on the automotive industry in Chongqing with a spotlight on Chongqing Industry Polytechnic College. This section also includes a comparative example: Beihai Automotive School, established on the grounds of Weifang University in partnership with a Canadian enterprise, drawing on educational material from private educational providers in North America. Section five looks at the power industry in China. The section includes a spotlight on Jiangxi Province and outlines the relationships between the Jiangxi Electric Power Corporation, Jiangxi Electric Vocational and Technical College and Jiangxi Mechanic Electric College. Each of these case studies has been reviewed and compared with the International Finance Corporation best practice characteristics. The industry case studies end with a section called 'Observations and conclusions' for consideration by those with an interest in the findings of this report. Section six focuses on the automotive industry in Australia. The section outlines some of the key issues and influences on training in Australia and then more specifically in the state of Victoria. The example of the Toyota motor company provides a specific focus for examining training issues and approaches in a manufacturing enterprise. The case study demonstrates how the national training system, including the Australian Qualifications Framework, the Australian Quality Framework and training packages work together to support Toyota's role as a registered training organisation. In section seven, the report explores the financial services industry in Australia. This case study demonstrates how Finsia, a not for profit organisation funded from member subscriptions, has been able to work with the national training system to deliver nationally accredited programs that are consistent with the national financial services regulatory framework for the industry. Finally, the epilogue makes some overall comments concerning Australia's involvement with China in relation to educational services.

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