International Industry Rates Australia’s Vocational Training System
August 11 2009 - Toronto, Canada - Recent media coverage depicting Australia’s vocational education and training system as lacking quality from an international perspective is doing a disservice to private providers according to Skill360 Australia, the nation’s leading not-for-profit provider of apprenticeship and vocational training services.
Speaking at a meeting of trade and professional associations in Toronto, Canada, Skill360 Australia’s CEO, Troy Williams, said that when compared to any overseas framework, Australia’s vocational education and training system, and its providers, received accolades by industry stakeholders.
"Private training providers in Australia are heavily regulated and, as a general rule, provide students with the skills required by industry. It would be wrong to use a few examples relating to the experience of Indian students and apply these across the entire sector," Mr Williams said.
According to Skill360 Australia, the integrity of Australia’s vocational education and training system is derived from the fact that both public and private providers are able to offer nationally accredited qualifications.
"As Australians we should be proud that our vocational education training and education framework is based upon a system that places emphasis on delivering the qualifications that are required by industry. Significantly, these qualifications can be offered by both government, through TAFE, and also by private providers," Mr Williams said.
According to Skill360 Australia, this arrangement has few peers anywhere in the world and is constantly referenced by international stakeholders as a best practice model.
"That Australia’s vocational education and training system is recognised as one of the best of the world by international stakeholders has been a fact not referenced in media coverage. We should be proud of the fact that the qualifications are crafted by industry, are recognised both nationally and internationally and facilitate articulation between the vocational training and university sectors," Mr Williams said.
When reviewing the commentary about Australia’s international vocational and training offering, Mr Williams said he was saddened by the recent media coverage.
"Recently, some researchers and industry commentators have sought to denigrate Australia’s vocational education and training sector. The reality is that when compared to any comparable economy, Australia’s system stacks up well," Mr Williams said.
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