Harris, Liz - North Metropolitan TAFE (NMTAFE)

Response:

I strongly believe that industry, as one of the main stakeholders in the VET sector, needs to have a stronger role in the VET system.  
I believe this because the purpose of engaging with industry is to identify their needs in order to produce job-ready future employees.  I believe this because, in order for me to better train my students, I need to be up to date with the latest in my industry - stay relevant and flexible.
If industry see that we (RTOs) see their value in the big picture, and create a platform for them to have a voice, then they would be more engaged.  This could look like industry evenings where industry is invited to have a round table discussion on latest trends, products, technologies and what their future employees need to look like to meet their needs; surveys around course electives is vital for when putting courses and qualifications together. 
Also, one of the issues highlighted by COVID-19 was the need to be more flexible with online/blended learning; more creative and flexible online learning (required knowledge) needs to be taken out of the traditional classroom and into the learner's own time to free up learners more for them to be able to get into the workforce sooner,  focusing full-time delivery on the hands-on required skills. 

Response:

Yes

Response:

The systems are in place, however, not enough time is allocated to me as a lecturer, to carry out the industry engagement that I need to stay relevant. 
For this reason, I believe that industry engagement events should be at the workplace, during work hours (or given TOIL), during a time that industry is available, with enough incentives for them to attend and for lecturers to get involved.
In my industry, lecturers are strongly encouraged to take part in industry engagement but more in an individual capacity rather than as a department/directorate.  Resources are limited towards industry events and therefore, lecturers are encouraged to use templates to email industry or question them when they visit as industry guests into the classroom.  
Our current arrangements allow a certain amount of collaboration however, it is limited due to lack of industry engagement. 

Response:

I believe that from solid industry engagement and the flexibility of dual qualifications and/or skillset options for learners, we would be able to produce greater flexibility across different jobs and role needs - opening more doors for our graduates.

I work for an organization that offers a huge array of courses across a variety of industries that my particular industry networks with, however, directorates struggle to work with each other in order to cross-pollinate and take advantage of the immense talent to work together, which would lead to greater scope for our students and future employees.

Example, one of the skills in one of my units is networking with hairstylist and Photographers  - I requested for one of our hairdressing lecturers to be a guest speaker for my students but because it did not line up with their timetables, it was not possible; I requested the same of our Photography Lectures, they too could not visit my students because of their timetable; my organization is full of silos.

The issue is with those who create lecturer timetables and those who approve them.

Response:

Before we consider changing an elective, we consult with industry via surveys; this has not been very successful as not many industry contacts take the time to give feedback - it could be because they don't have time or they don't have the VET knowledge.  If not enough industry feedback is given, we look at what trends are in our industry and use that to influence our choices.  I believe this works well because, even though the response is low, it does capture some industry input. 

I feel that we don't always get it right though; this is due to the lack of feedback mentioned above, or it could also be the wording of the surveys that go out. Sometimes, elective choices are made on basis of resources and funding available.

I believe that my industry's current qualifications need a facelift; they are not flexible enough with their electives or skillset options.  I don't believe that the nominal hours always match what industry needs for some units of competency.  I also believe that there are many gaps in the area of knowledge assessments and not enough reasonable adjustments made available to meet learner needs.  More training is required at the commencement of qualifications in the area of online learning.  More training for lectures on universal design for learning and reasonable adjustment is required. 

Some challenges are the capabilities of the cohorts being allowed to enrol in a Diploma, for example, and matching the knowledge assessments to the AQF level, though that doesn't exist as such anymore.  

Response:

Industry needs to come together more to identify their differences - example, waxing; the beauty industry can't agree on the best and most effective technique in waxing and all salon owners believe that their way is the best and only way and they need to retrain their new employees.  There needs to be a greater consensus among industry leaders in order for RTOs to get it right.