{"title":"The narrative of a VET workforce shortage in Australia: reality, myth or opportunity?","authors":"Erica Smith","doi":"10.1108/et-03-2023-0078","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"PurposeThe aim of the paper is to examine whether there really is a shortage of VET teachers, and if so, whether there are links to the salary offered and to the qualifications required.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses three main approaches to examine the narrative of a shortage of VET teachers in Australia.FindingsThere was no documented evidence of a VET teacher shortage, beyond a general perception of shortage in line with other occupations due to the post-COVID economic recovery. Salaries for VET teachers were found to compare well with other education occupations and other jobs in the economy. There was no evidence of the required qualifications deterring entry. The main concern appears to be whether VET can adequately train workers for other sectors in shortage.Research limitations/implicationsThe research did not include empirical survey work and suggests that this needs to be carried out urgently.Practical implicationsThe research provides evidence that will challenge current assumptions and help in the recruitment of VET teachers.Social implicationsIt argues for a recognition of the importance of the VET sector beyond its function of serving industry.Originality/valueIt highlights ways to make VET teaching a more attractive proposition and to better promote its advantages.","PeriodicalId":47994,"journal":{"name":"Education and Training","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2000,"publicationDate":"2023-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Education and Training","FirstCategoryId":"91","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1108/et-03-2023-0078","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"管理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"EDUCATION & EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
PurposeThe aim of the paper is to examine whether there really is a shortage of VET teachers, and if so, whether there are links to the salary offered and to the qualifications required.Design/methodology/approachThe paper uses three main approaches to examine the narrative of a shortage of VET teachers in Australia.FindingsThere was no documented evidence of a VET teacher shortage, beyond a general perception of shortage in line with other occupations due to the post-COVID economic recovery. Salaries for VET teachers were found to compare well with other education occupations and other jobs in the economy. There was no evidence of the required qualifications deterring entry. The main concern appears to be whether VET can adequately train workers for other sectors in shortage.Research limitations/implicationsThe research did not include empirical survey work and suggests that this needs to be carried out urgently.Practical implicationsThe research provides evidence that will challenge current assumptions and help in the recruitment of VET teachers.Social implicationsIt argues for a recognition of the importance of the VET sector beyond its function of serving industry.Originality/valueIt highlights ways to make VET teaching a more attractive proposition and to better promote its advantages.
期刊介绍:
Education + Training addresses the increasingly complex relationships between education, training and employment and the impact of these relationships on national and global labour markets. The journal gives specific consideration to young people, looking at how the transition from school/college to employment is achieved and how the nature of partnerships between the worlds of education and work continues to evolve. The journal explores vocationalism in learning and efforts to address employability within the curriculum, together with coverage of innovative themes and initiatives within vocational education and training. The journal is read by policy makers, educators and academics working in a wide range of fields including education, learning and skills development, enterprise and entrepreneurship education and training, induction and career development. Coverage: Managing the transition from school/college to work New initiatives in post 16 vocational education and training Education-Business partnerships and collaboration Links between education and industry The graduate labour market Work experience and placements The recruitment, induction and development of school leavers and graduates Young person employability and career development E learning in further and higher education Research news Reviews of recent publications.