VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING IN THE CONTEXT OF LIFE LONG LEARNING

I attended the 15th International IVETA (International Vocational Education & Training Association) in Moscow from 21-24 August. This conference was attended by representatives from over 30 countries and addressed topical issues in vocational training currently being experienced by the contemporary world. The lifelong learning theme bought together qualification frameworks, quality assurance, technology, adult learning and social aspects of VET from various countries.

The conference started off with the acknowledgment of how vocational training had been marginalized in the 1975 to the early 90’s period, but with the advent of the impact of technology in the workplace it had made VET an important topic at the recent G8 Meeting in Europe.

It was noted the following changes have taken place in the marketplace:

1. VET systems in developed countries have undergone reform with a particular
   focus on how the system is governed and financed.
2. Diversification of providers – the range of training providers and method of delivery has changed.
3. Identification of the needs of stakeholders has become a high priority.
4. VET training is standards driven and competency based as it provides a better method to measure the outcomes.
5. The importance of quality – not mentioned 20 years ago – is crucial.

In actual fact VET has moved ahead of traditional education (higher education) by employers as content is generally more relevant and standards driven and delivery is more flexible. However, VET qualifications are still viewed as inferior to university qualifications and presents educational institutions with a serious challenge in the future. The role of VET in the social security of our nations, ie where it fits and its importance, MUST BE EMPHASISED!

The breakout sessions covered many areas such as numeracy and literacy, gender inbalance, skills shortages, need to upgrade existing employees, articulation with higher education institutions, pathways, quality frameworks, becoming more stakeholder driven, RPL and the importance of ongoing professional development for trainers and assessors.

The conference was excellent in regard to content, networking and in particular the sharing of resources.

All in all I came away with confidence that the current system we have in Australia (with all its faults) is headed in the direction that international experts believe the world must go. In fact Australia was mentioned on numerous occasions as being one of the examples of best practice. So although forthcoming changes to the AQTF are perceived by many providers and users of the system as being costly, inconvenient and possibly irrelevant – I believe it will ensure that we remain an international best practice model in VET so long as all stakeholders are included and listened to in the new reforms.

CARMEL THOMPSON
THE SOUTHERN CROSS CONNECTION