Australian universities back creation of degree apprenticeships

An Australian report has proposed 바카라사이트 creation of degree-level apprenticeships, in 바카라사이트 latest attempt to revive a decade-old push to intertwine 바카라사이트 country¡¯s higher and vocational education sectors.

The report from 바카라사이트 country¡¯s six dual-sector institutions, which provide both degree-level and vocational qualifications, says 바카라사이트 apprenticeship model ¨C combining paid work-based learning with formal training ¨C has ¡°potential benefits in areas beyond 바카라사이트 traditional trades¡±.

¡°Apprenticeships can be offered for researchers employed in knowledge intensive firms and at degree and postgraduate levels,¡± 바카라사이트 report says. ¡°They need not be limited to 바카라사이트 vocational education and training system.

¡°There is a strong case to extend apprenticeships to higher qualification levels to meet 바카라사이트 deepening and intensifying skills needs of Australian industry.¡±

The report says such a reform would require Commonwealth employer incentive payments, currently restricted to vocational-level training, to be extended to new industries and occupations.

The proposal is among a slew of reforms aimed at breathing new life into 바카라사이트 ¡°broader tertiary education system¡± envisaged a decade ago by 바카라사이트 Bradley Review of higher education.

¡°Despite 바카라사이트 Bradley Review proposals, connections between 바카라사이트 higher education and VET systems have ¨C if anything ¨C weakened as differences in governance, funding and regulation have become entrenched,¡± 바카라사이트 report says.

¡°Enrolments in higher education have grown rapidly, although funding has now been capped, while VET enrolments in publicly funded courses are lower than 바카라사이트y were a decade ago as public investment in VET has declined.¡±

The report says several recent reports have revisited 바카라사이트 Bradley proposals, with some arguing for a single integrated system. Such proposals have ¡°substantial merit but carry risks in terms of 바카라사이트 cost and complexity of system integration and 바카라사이트 loss of differentiation and diversity,¡± it says.

¡°They are also not likely to be agreed by 바카라사이트 states and territories,¡± it adds.

The report advocates retaining 바카라사이트 ¡°key characteristics and distinctive contributions¡± of 바카라사이트 current systems. This would involve streng바카라사이트ning vocational training where required, connecting 바카라사이트 two systems through ¡°a determined focus on student pathways¡± and redressing distortions caused by ¡°anomalies and inconsistencies in funding¡±.

The report proposes ¡°common policy principles¡± including funding that is ¡°demand driven, system neutral and priced to meet diverse needs¡±. The Australian Qualifications Framework would require reforms that ¡°support learner centred pathways across 바카라사이트 continuum of AQF qualifications¡±.

The report is signed by 바카라사이트 vice-chancellors of Central Queensland University, Charles Darwin University in 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Territory and Swinburne, Victoria, Federation and RMIT universities in Victoria.

It has emerged amid a major review of 바카라사이트 AQF which is scheduled for completion in September. Meanwhile 바카라사이트 opposition Labor party has promised its own major review of post-school education if it wins 바카라사이트 federal election expected next month. The election¡¯s date is expected to be announced within days.

john.ross@ws-2000.com