Martin Riordan
CEO
TAFE Directors Australia
September 2014
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1.
2.
3.
4.
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In-training, seasonally adjusted, 2003–13 (’000)
Source: NCVER (2013). Australian vocational education and training statistics, Apprentices and trainees,
December quarter, 201 3
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Trade and non-trade commencements seasonally adjusted, 2004–14 (’000)
Source: NCVER (2014). Apprentices and Trainees. Early Trend Estimates June quarter, 2014
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Source: NCVER
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 Complexity of the system across jurisdictions
 Low completion rates (average of 48% across apprenticeships)
◦
About 60 % completion rates for electrical apprentices
 Declining funding models and loss of support services (Budget)
 Decreasing interest by students in apprenticeships
 Low investment by employers
 Impact of the expansion of the university sector
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 Regulatory burden
 Training packages
◦
Changes cost time and money
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Teach out times at odds with apprenticeships
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Complex pre-requisites and packaging rules that reduce flexibility
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Difficult to map old to new packages
 Funding
 Recruiting skilled teachers and maintaining currency
 Language and literacy levels of apprentices
 Competitive training markets (thin markets).
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 Minister Macfarlane, Skills Summit, 2014: Three priorities for
VET:
1.
Industry – led
2.
Growth in apprentices
3.
Cutting red tape
One of Australia’s greatest strengths is the adaptability and creativity of our workers. We must use that strength to its full advantage, by restoring pride in the value of a trade or an apprenticeship.
Source: Minister’s speech 11 September, 2014
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Budget Programme 1: Building Skills and Industry Skills Fund
 Enable growth and productivity for globally competitive industries
 Shift from traditional manufacturing base to knowledge intensive competitiveindustries in areas of global growth such as:



Food and agribusiness; mining equipment, technology and services; medical technologies and pharmaceuticals;

 oil and gas; and advanced manufacturing including defence and aerospace.
Source: PORTFOLIO BUDGET STATEMENTS 2014-15, INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO
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Programme 1: Building Skills and Capability
1.
Growth in the number and proportion of Australians with VET skills
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Growth in number of skilled employees in knowledge industries
Growth in the number of apprentices
Growth in the apprenticeship completion rate
Change in reported employer satisfaction with VET graduates
Contribution to productivity growth
Changes in individual returns from investment in education and training.
Source: Portfolio Budget Statements 2014-15, INDUSTRY PORTFOLIO, 2014
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 Overall reduction in investment in skills training of $1.1 B
 The cessation of the Tools for Your trade programme (from July 2014 )
 Implementation of Trade Support Loan Scheme ($20,000 loans to be repaid when income exceeds 53,345).
◦
For apprentices undertaking a Certificates III or IV qualification in an occupation on the National Skills Needs List and certain
Certificates II-IV agriculture/horticulture qualifications.
 Recent changes from Apprenticeship Centres to the Australian
Apprenticeship Support Network (some shifting of funds).
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 Accelerated Australian Apprenticeships Program
 Australian Apprenticeship Access
 Alternative Pathways Programme
 Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program
 Workforce English Language and Literacy (WELL) Program
 Apprenticeship to Business Owner Program
 Australian Apprenticeships Access Program
 Step Into Skills Program
 Incentives for higher technical skills
 Skills Connect Fund
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1.
2.
3.
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Overall increase in VETiS enrolments
 Improve pathways for apprentices:
◦
Pre-apprenticeship programs
◦
VET in Schools models
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School based apprentices, alternate TTCs
◦
Higher qualifications (post trade)
 Provide better support for employers and apprentices/trainees
 Value apprenticeships and traineeships
 Improve career advice and screening services (LL&N)
 Weight the incentives for employers to successful outcomes
 Consider how young people are included in growing global industries.
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 Key success factors for young people in VET in Schools:
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Partnerships between employers, education and community
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Providing structured learning in work settings
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Tailored curriculum
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Learning support
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Focusing on students’ needs and interests
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Role of Group Training?
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Strong career advice/support.
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Policy
Funding
Partnerships
Innovative
Training
Pathways
Monitoring and
Support
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TAFE Institute
Survey
2011
41 responses
30 offshore partnerships
2013
39 responses
22 offshore partnerships
PARTNERSHIPS
China
PNG
South Korea
Malaysia
Singapore
India
Students offshore
247
95
8
16
8
11
28
58,516
161
91
4
4
15
7
3 n/a

Interviews conducted with College Principals and Vice Principals revealed the following priorities:
• Curriculum Development
• Funding models for partnering
• Staff and student mobility/ exchange
• Improving quality of colleges, specifically learning and teaching
• Improving student’s employment prospects
• Internationalisation.

STRENGTH
Apprenticeships
OPPORTUNITY
• Collaboratively work to address the challenges
• Stronger role for Group Training and Provider partnerships
System complexity • Consistent funding models across jurisdictions
VETiS • Leveraging growth & aligning with global industry vision
International • Supporting quality skills in regional international markets
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Jonathon Clack
TAFE NSW – Illawarra Institute
Winner
Industry Excellence Awards
Excellence in Electrotechnology
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