Still wondering what the govt wants from the Accord? The Commonwealth’s white paper on “jobs and opportunities” spells it out, “tertiary education needs to deliver the skilled workers for the jobs of the future.”
And it sets out a context for tertiary education change – universities are going to have to play-nice with TAFE and be part of government plans
Lest anyone miss the point, the EWP adds,
“while Australia has a quality higher education system, it will need to become increasingly responsive to meet the needs of a changing economy. To ensure graduates are equipped with the most relevant and up-to-date skills, higher education will also need to increase collaboration with industry and business.”
Specifics for HE include;
* “facilitating more collaboration and seamless transitions between VET and higher education is essential for creating the right skills mix and building the future workforce”
* “greater-use” of work integrated learning
* “supporting students to make good choices about their education,” including marketing campaigns and bursaries/scholarships
* “clear pathways into and across tertiary education”
* “greater support for disadvantaged students and increasing collaboration with industry and with other parts of the tertiary system”
* a culture of lifelong learning, supported by greater workplace training, will ensure people are equipped with the training to take advantage of future opportunities in the labour market
* “a more student-centred model of delivery and support, combined with more innovative curriculum and assessment design and delivery, is needed to ensure students receive a high-quality education”
* universities to participate in TAFE Centres of Excellence, which will “design world leading skills and curriculum”
And what tertiary education teaches will be part of government planning, “a greater focus on growing Australia’s high-skilled workforce will help to address skills shortages and to achieve productivity growth. Proactive workforce planning can assist to ensure that Australians are gaining skills in priority areas, so they can be prepared to take advantage of emerging opportunities and be resilient to potential challenges.”
reaction: Universities Australia defends where it can, “seeking clarification” of higher apprenticeships leading to degree-level qualifications but otherwise makes the most of what it will be stuck with, “to reverse Australia’s productivity fortunes, government must seriously invest in the institutions that drive productivity and grow the economy in ways that pay for themselves. Universities do this in spades.”
The Australian Technology Network is way more on-board, “people should be able to choose whatever mix of technical, practical and transferable skills they need to succeed from a range of shorter and longer form courses offered by a mix of universities, TAFEs and other providers.”
TAFE Directors Australia’s response was remarkable restrained – what with its members being the EWP’s big winners, especially with apprenticeships at degree level. ““This is a landmark development with the capacity to transform the way that formal learning and on-the-job work experience are combined at the degree level,” TDA’s Jenny Dodd said.
