Inquiry into the Role of Institutes of TAFE
Submissions

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Submission 1

INQUIRY INTO THE APPROPRIATE ROLES OF INSTITUTES OF TECHNICAL AND FURTHER EDUCATION

On behalf of Mr Warren Grimshaw AM, Chair of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Advisory Board to MCEETYA, I wish to make a brief submission to the above Inquiry.

The structure of the AQF and the descriptors of the twelve qualifications it comprises relate to the Inquiry in the following ways:

i the AQF is cross-sectoral in structure, primarily to promote flexible learning pathways via active linkages between qualifications issued in each of the schools, vocational education and training and the higher education sectors, in the form of articulated programs, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning (RPL) arrangements:

ii under the AQF, qualifications issued in the vocational education and training sector, which is largely comprised of institutes of technical and further education, certify the achievement of competency as determined by the relevant industry, enterprise, community or professional group either through a National Training Package or an accredited course; qualifications issued in the schools and higher education sectors certify achievement as determined by the Statutory Boards and the universities in consultation with their constituencies;

iii under the AQF, where an equivalent qualification is awarded by more than one sector, the title is common to both sectors, supporting parity of esteem. Thus the Diploma and Advanced Diploma are offered in both TAFEs and universities on an equal basis, even as the descriptors for thesequalifications reflect the different authorities for the learning outcomes in each sector.

In summary the AQF, while acknowledging the distinctive core business of each of the sectors, supports efficient learning pathways within and across the sectors through more accessible pathways to qualifications, improved linkages between qualifications and parity of esteem for equivalent qualifications issued in each sector.

I would be happy to provide supporting information should this be required.

Yours sincerely

Judith Forsyth

Executive Officer, AQF Advisory Board to MCEETYA, 25 September, 1997

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