University level degrees are not exclusive to universities anymore, with a new national type.
It’s the Vocational Degree and it is now included on the Australian Qualifications Framework with the same standing as a university Bachelor’s.
The new degree was quietly announced by the Commonwealth Department of Education last week, “as purposefully designed for the VET sector.”
DoE states the new degree’s “learning outcomes are comparable” with a Bachelor, “but qualifications will have a greater focus on advanced skill attainment, and the application of specialised knowledge and technical skills.”
Vocational Degrees will use “all modes” of training delivery, including apprenticeships. They will be accredited through standard VET procedures, as Jobs and Skills Councils’ training packages or Australian Skills Quality Authority (and Vic and WA equivalent) accreditation.
There are no Voc Degree ready to go and development “will take some time;” however the mining and automotive JSC is researching demand in its industries.
The Universities Accord recommended TAFE’s become self-accrediting at AQF Five, and above in areas of national priority. It is now only a matter of how “priority” is defined.
