Inquiry into the Role of Institutes of TAFE
Submissions

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Submission 90.1

TAFE NSW MANAGERS ASSOCIATION

Requested Additional Paper - Schools and Vet Training

Prepared by TAFE NSW Managers Association

Date: 9 April 1998

Secondary Schools play an important role in developing in young people their personal, academic and vocational abilities, potential and strengths.

Too often we hear High Schools promoting the academic excellence of their graduates. Sporting excellence is also deemed a virtue.

However over 1 ,100,000 students are currently enrolled in TAFE across Australia which is greater than the total? population and hence one quickly realises the importance of technical and further education (TAFE).

TAFE is the most preferred provider of vocational education and training and is the largest provider of VET training.

In 1997 over 38,000 school students were studying as part of their HSC a VET related course. TAFE NSW through its joint secondary schools program JSST plays a major role in the provision of these studies.

Secondary school teachers however lack the industrial and adult learning expertise TAFE teachers have and a future model which involves TAFE teachers in the delivery of industry study programs to secondary school students either in school or on TAFE premises is an obvious step forward.

At present, industry is critical in regard to the experience of school teachers and the relevant standard of the school facilities. On the other hand TAFE facilities are industry standard designed and in fact lead industry in innovation and design standards.

The relevance of school based programs to the national framework is uncertain as the current school curriculum does not link neatly with the new national modules or areas.

How Should It Work

TAFE has seen over the decade an increase in more academic students benefiting from undertaking studies at TAFE, however, there is still concern that the overall HSC or TER score is weakened by the replacement of formal schooling with some vocational courses.

This dilemma should be arrested. If Universities give credit for the completion of TAFE studies in the way of advanced standing for undergraduates why shouldn't they offer similar recognition for a vocational HSC.

VET is not necessarily for only non academic students yet industry, schools, parents and students believe this is the case.

The VET linkages between schools and industry are most unclear. In fact schools have not seen this as a necessity and frequently TAFE provides the pathway through traineeships, pre vocational courses and pre apprenticeship courses for a disaffected school leaver into employment.

Secondary schools have never been expected to provide this training, they did however in the past (1950's), provide the preparation through Technical High Schools.

If there is a repositioning of schools and TAFE such as has lust occurred In NSW then the barriers between entry to TAFE or school facilities are further reduced but the learning environment is extremely different in both the Industrial arena and teaching techniques. Obviously industrial relation barriers might persist, but if a single award is created to cover both school and TAFE personal, the joint energy and intelligence created by such a merger will provide a greater acceptance by Industry of the linkages it must create with schools and TAFE to ensure the relevant curriculum and individual student development produces an outcome that will be accepted and recognised by that Industry.

This structure will enable the deliver of an integrated education and training program and create a smooth transition from school to further education and training and work.

How Should It be Funded

The use of school teachers in TAFE for the delivery of matriculation and tertiary entrance, but would need training in adult learning techniques, would free up TAFE resources to allow TAFE teachers to provide VET programs in schools. This would also eliminate the need for the training of school teachers to deliver VET programs.

Industry training allowances paid by the Commonwealth Government should also be directed to TAFE to support the provision of training in industry related training modules which in turn will reduce the training program once the student is employed. This would be offset against reduced employer payments.

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