Jenkins, Michelle - Community Vision Australia Limited

Related consultation
Submission received

Does the role of industry need to be strengthened or expanded across the VET system? Why/why not?

  • What does industry engagement mean to you?
  • How can industry be encouraged to connect with and use the VET system? What does this look like?
  • Are there any roles for industry in the VET system that are not covered or outlined in the case for change?

Response:

Industry engagement to me means industry participation in defining the skills needed for the vacancies and jobs they have to offer to the community.  It means works with the agencies to define what the training needs are and how that training should be delivered.  It should also include, the barriers to engaging with the system.  For example, is it a financial barrier or is it the industry standards don't meet the needs of employers or fit the roles that they now have.  VET training needs to take account of the changing needs of business and not just reproduce courses and materials of old times.  Sectors have changed significantly and the jobs of the future are not the jobs of today.  Transition and the ability to transition across businesses and to develop new courses is important if VET and employers are to work collaboratively for the future workforce.

Are you aware of the current industry-leadership arrangements led by the Australian Industry and Skills Commission?

Response:

No response provided.

How effective are the current industry engagement arrangements in VET in meeting your needs?

  • What works well and what could be improved? How could it be improved?
  • How well are you (or your organisation) represented by these arrangements?
  • How well do current arrangements allow collaboration across industry sectors on common workforce and skills needs?

Response:

No response provided.

What can be done to drive greater collaboration across industries to broaden career pathways for VET graduates and maximise the workforce available to employers?

  • How can workers be equipped with skills that can be applied across different jobs?
  • How can industry support this through the VET system?
  • How can we break down silos and improve collaboration across industry groups?

Response:

Invitation for individual employers to participate and provide feedback on their needs is essential if the VET graduates are to have skills which translate into the workforce.
I am currently working with a number of MP's and Tafe's/Education to create a program which will span a 5 year duration where the sector will collaborate with schools and colleges to create a program which will meet the needs of the future workforce for employment and opportunities and the needs of the employers for a flexible workforce which can address the gaps now and into the future.  

Pathways which promote opportunity within the workplace form part of this program and a commitment from the employer and employee to the program are essential, with key measures along the way to promote engagement and collaboration leading to success.

I cannot find within the current Vet program what I need and therefore, I am creating this to suit the business needs into the future.

Are qualifications fit-for-purpose in meeting the needs of industry and learners now and into the future? Why/why not?

  • Are the different needs of industry and learners effectively considered in designing qualifications in the current system? What works well and why?
  • Are there issues or challenges with the way qualifications are currently designed? What are they and what could be done to address these?

Response:

I don't believe the current VET system works well.  Firstly there are too many providers and there is too much variance in the quality of the worker on completion of courses.  It would be better to take those who do it well and ensure they do more of what they do well and less of what they don't do well.  We also need to reduce the number of options as they are now more than needed and are a distraction with people choosing the easy route which doesn't help employers once they get into the workforce.

There is also no clear pathway which shows the jobs aligned to the qualifications which is easy to follow.  It should not be a one size fits all rather it should be a journey with options.  If you choose to take a different pathway, the qualifications needed and how you get them should be clearly marked.

We have over complicated the system and we need to streamline for efficiency and to better meet the needs of employers to attract the right people into their business with the skills needed to do the job.

Are there any further issues in relation to improving industry engagement in the VET sector that you would like to provide feedback on?

Response:

I don't feel that there i sufficient collaboration or understanding of the needs of Employers.  The courses are being driven by academic requirements not business needs.  In the Aged care sector for example, a Cert II is not worth the paper it is written on when the minimum qualification in the sector is Cert III.  If that leads to an EN/RN role as part of a longer term program then this is of more value.  However it requires a commitment on the part of the individual and the VET provider to continue the journey with the employer and some tax incentives for the employer to help cover the costs.

Working together to get these alignments right will ensure that we are able to create a workforce with skills to meet future jobs as well as those needed right now.