Anonymous - 4

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:

* Industry engagement should be what the industry expects as the final result of training.  They say they want Quality with staff that can perform at high levels.  The issue is what they say and what they are prepared to invest in staff training can be very different.  Expecting experience from staff that have not been exposed to the actual task.

* Industry should start looking for people that have a passion for the field they want them in, Not Just Academic school achievements as in my experience these people are quite often not long term in my industry -(mechanical trades )  yes if they are academically inclined as well as a passion for mechanics that is a bonus.

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

Response:

No

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:

Stop making it a nanny state in the training field these RTO that just tick people off with a low standard of delivery is a horrible outcome.  Return to a well-defined Training institute system that must be well equipped is essential. the current system of just visiting the workplace every 6 weeks basically giving the student the answers to any test is BS. The employers are not giving the students training in all the fields required. Plan and simple.

Challenge student to work for their results the system does not challenge the number of subjects that are incorporated into different qualifications that don't add value has to be decreased, e.g  In the  1st yr apprentice communication, computer skills, workplace paperwork, talking to customer etc etc. the first year of a MEM qual is just fluff does not train a tradesperson. just satisfies the points system.

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:

AUR package has improved, but the bass industry (employers) needs to be honest if they can not provide the experience of parts of the training package they need to admit it and allow the trainee to access it from another source eg attend the training institute. Without penalty then they might start getting tradespeople with experience across the broad fields that are required. 
This could encourage people to stay in the trade by being able to value add to themselves.

Get rid of the tick and flick RTO's especially for the trades that need practical skills that are associated with the different units.  They don't allow students access to the required resources.

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 could waffle on for ages. 
AGAIN THEY WANT EXPERTS BUT DONT WANT TO PAY FOR THE TIME IT TAKES TO FOSTER THE SKILLS.