Claire Field calls for governments to pick up the pace on training reform

by CLAIRE FIELD

 Our VET system is beset by complexity and change is urgently needed

It was good to hear the prime minister speaking about skills in his National Press Club speech yesterday. I support greater national consistency in VET funding, as recommended by Stephen Joyce, and in the Commonwealth and states and territories investing more in VET.

The other area where Joyce’s reform proposals are crucially important (and which the government is pursuing) is in a new approach to qualification development. The excessive complexity of our current arrangements has been evident during the pandemic.

The OECD published a guide for VET in the COVID-19 crisis. They note that lockdowns and social distancing have created challenges where training includes a workplace-based component. They cite various initiatives other countries have put in place to tackle these challenges including:

* flexible skills assessment and awarding of qualifications

* fast-track licenses

* short-duration certificates, and

* emergency standards for work-placements once businesses re-open.

By contrast, aside from a change mandated by Safe Work Australia and the state/territory regulators (on training for the construction industry white card) the sub-committee of the Australian Industry and Skills Committee, established to enable similar temporary flexibility in our VET system, has in seven weeks of operation agreed on:

* two skill sets

* advice on the use of manikins in first aid training, and

* a revision to an interpretation guide for one training and assessment unit.

The remainder of their work (such as it is) is pending … . Thankfully it is less likely to be needed as we move out of lockdown and back to more normal training arrangements.

My comments should not be interpreted as an attack on the AISC sub-committee members or others involved in the current arrangements. They are good people who are working hard.

The reality though is that our VET system is beset by complexity and change is urgently needed.

Claire Field advises on VET, international education and private higher education.