New strategies for strengthening VET: challenges and opportunities

There can be little doubt that demands for skilling, re-skilling and upskilling are currently central in policy-makers’ thinking in many nation states. Such demands are generated by a relentless stream of technological advancements, demographic shifts and the need to be competitive in a global market. Within this constantly changing environment, work and workplaces are transforming and while some occupations and skills are becoming obsolete, others are emerging. Responsibility for addressing this situation rests to a large extent with VET systems as vocational education is seen by a majority of countries to be pivotal in ‘developing the productive capacity of people, their societies and their economies’ (Wheelahan & Moodie, 2016, p. 9). In recent times in Australia falling apprentice numbers and quality issues with VET have beenparticularly concerning for government andother VET stakeholders. TheCommonwealth Government’s response has been to initiate a review of the sector. The recently published report, Strengthening skills: Expert review of Australia’s vocational education and training system (Australian Government, 2019; Joyce, 2019), highlights a number of key areas requiring reform if VET is to fulfil its role of skilling the Australian workforce for the future. The areas for improvement include enhancing quality assurance processes, accelerating qualification development, simplifying the funding of VET and providing greater access for disadvantaged Australians. Also stressed within the report are the development of clearer pathways for young people to VET from school and the provision of better information on potential careers. The introduction of a National Skills Commission and a National Careers Institute feature amongst the review’s recommendations and form key components of a comprehensive blueprint to reinvigorate the VET system. In his summary, the author of the report claims that: