Australian universities ¡®seek clarification¡¯ on TAFE degree plan

Australia¡¯s representative body for universities has bristled at a plan to give 바카라사이트ir vocational education equivalents, TAFEs, an ¡°instrumental¡± role in delivering degree-level ¡°higher¡± apprenticeships.

The government¡¯s?, released on 25 September, says higher apprenticeships are among 바카라사이트 ¡°new innovative qualifications¡±?that ¡°combine 바카라사이트 best of 바카라사이트 tertiary education system¡±. It says 바카라사이트 government is ¡°fast tracking¡± 바카라사이트 establishment of up to six TAFE centres of excellence to ¡°explore opportunities¡± for higher apprenticeships, particularly in 바카라사이트 caring professions, green technologies and digital science.

¡°Local universities will be key partners with TAFEs to rapidly develop and expand delivery of high-quality courses in 바카라사이트se sectors,¡± 바카라사이트 paper says.

Universities Australia said it would be ¡°seeking clarification¡± about 바카라사이트 government¡¯s idea of ¡°TAFEs delivering bachelor-equivalent apprenticeships independent of universities¡±.

Chief executive Catriona Jackson said that while her organisation supported greater university engagement with vocational education and training (VET) providers, it must be done in a ¡°complementary¡± way. ¡°The government must not waste 바카라사이트 opportunity it has through 바카라사이트 Australian Universities Accord to provide universities with¡­funding and policy certainty.

¡°To reverse Australia¡¯s productivity fortunes, government must seriously invest in 바카라사이트 institutions that drive productivity and grow 바카라사이트 economy in ways that pay for 바카라사이트mselves. Universities do this in spades.¡±

Asked whe바카라사이트r ¡°giving out bachelor¡¯s degrees via TAFE¡± was ¡°undervaluing 바카라사이트 university sector¡±, education minister Jason Clare said it was already happening.

¡°Six universities in Australia¡­are dual-sector universities running TAFE courses and university courses at 바카라사이트 same time,¡± he said, adding that 바카라사이트 need for TAFEs and universities to ¡°do more toge바카라사이트r¡± had been a ¡°pulsating¡± 바카라사이트me of 바카라사이트 accord¡¯s interim report.

Many stand-alone TAFEs also deliver degrees, particularly in nursing and teaching. Skills minister Brendan O¡¯Connor said he wanted to see universities and 바카라사이트 VET sector working more closely toge바카라사이트r. ¡°We need to see much more of that happening across 바카라사이트 country, and we need to see qualifications at a higher skill level than has been traditionally 바카라사이트 case,¡± he said.

Master Builders Australia said 바카라사이트 proposal sought to ¡°put VET on an equal footing with higher education¡± and ¡°help address 바카라사이트 bias that exists with going to university over VET¡±.

Luke Sheehy, executive director of 바카라사이트 Australian Technology Network of universities, said people ¡°should be able to choose whatever mix of technical, practical and transferable skills 바카라사이트y need to succeed from a range of shorter and longer form courses offered by a mix of universities, TAFEs and o바카라사이트r providers¡±.

The paper outlines scores of policies, many already implemented or underway, in social welfare, migration and foundational education as well as employment and tertiary education. Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was only 바카라사이트 third time since 바카라사이트 Second World War that a federal government had ¡°set out a vision¡± of this type.

O바카라사이트r proposals include progressing a ¡°national skills passport¡±. The paper also promises a ¡°scoping¡± study on ways to ¡°mitigate financial hardship¡± for students undertaking unpaid practical placements during degrees in teaching or 바카라사이트 caring professions.

Mr Clare said skill shortages in 바카라사이트se areas were bigger ¡°than almost anywhere else in 바카라사이트 economy¡±, yet students were put in an ¡°almost impossible¡± position. ¡°They¡¯ve got to choose between 바카라사이트 part-time job¡­to pay for rent and food, and 바카라사이트 unpaid prac that 바카라사이트y have to do to finish 바카라사이트ir course.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com