Pilioglou, Julie - Caroline Chisholm Catholic College

Related consultation
Submissions - Skills Reform: Improving industry engagement and reforming qualifications in Vocational Education and Training discussion paper
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:

Yes in my opinion it needs to be expanded. 
Industry needs to offer opportunities to skill and upskill students and people who have worked in an area or want to work in area. Students today don't have the part time job opportunities or exposure to work experience programs given all the compliances that surround working with children so VET could offer more work exposure.

Industry should connect with students in the work place and be visible to students undertaking VET courses to help students better understand the industry they have selected to train in. It might be offering on the job training as an example of completing a VET program.

Different industries will always argue that maybe their direct industry is not covered in the case for change.

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

Response:

Yes

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:

Industry engagement arrangements are strong in some VET programs and lacking in others. Some RTO's doe a great job in assisting industry connections.

The combination of theory and practical works well it caters for different type of learners, collaboration with other facilitators is strengthened by schools stepping out of their home school and moving to other providers who offer a course that they do not offer. This enables solid relationships in the same area to be strengthened ultimately opening up opportunities for students and helping with consistency of delivery and moderating of student work and further enhancing industry opportunities.

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:

More collaboration across industries is to look at courses that have a high participation rate and then consider what the course is offering and try to copy what works. 

VET programs need to be recognised by the university sector also and offer subject adjustments in further courses to enable more recognition.

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 believe that qualifications are fit and meeting the needs of industry however with our changing world of work there is a need to constantly review the programs and have industry representatives to meet the needs of the future.

I think VET programs represent the needs of different learners well and this is a real strength of the programs, however as we saw with remote learning VET programs can be difficult to deliver and there needs to e some consideration for a blended delivery method.

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

Response:

Industry needs to take more of an active role in reforms and on review panels to better develop and improve changes to programs to accommodate future learners and needs.