The Universities Accord warns that “current frameworks for skills, qualifications and training programmes are fragmented and do not fully capture the wide range of skills needed by employers and workers.”
Which means the organisation that is first to create a useable model for the unified post-secondary system the Accord advocates will hold the high ground. VET is already on to it.
Jobs and Skills Australia is working on a national skills taxonomy to replace the Australian Skills Classification (competency based-skills definitions “make it challenging to apply in education contexts.”)
In a discussion paper on the need for and role of an NST, it suggests a taxonomy could help create a national skills “passport,” support “ongoing discussions” of (interminably) discussed reform of the Australian Qualifications Framework and “assist in the connection of a joined up tertiary system.”
“Better alignment between the two sectors would enable the delivery of quality education and training that meets the needs of students and develops the skills needed by industry.” Plus it would connect the three present foundational taxonomies – by industry, qualification and occupation.
“On its own, a skills taxonomy is a structured list of skills. The true value is unlocked when combined with other taxonomies and information. The application will vary, but the value created will be underpinned by a common language that is accepted and understood across the different systems.”
JSA is silent on where self-accrediting providers would sit in the creation and oversight of a skills taxonomy but that it is working on one gives it a start in codifying a skills system that HE and VET will have to if all of the Accord is implemented.
