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campusreview.com.au
VET
revamp
Proposal to review VET sector
met with industry support.
N
ew reports suggest the VET sector
may be reviewed and overhauled
within the next 12 months.
Recommendations to review the
sector were published as part of
Innovation and Science Australia’s
latest report: Australia 2030: Prosperity
through Innovation.
The report has already attracted attention
from universities and schools for its
proposals regarding STEM and partnerships
between higher education institutions and
industry, but has now been welcomed by
Australia’s National Apprentice Employment
Network (NAEN).
National executive officer Lauren Tiltman
said the strategic plan called for a wide-
ranging review, and echoed sentiment
across the sector that more needed to be
done to deliver the skills required to build
Australia’s workforce and economy.
“It is heartening that the report
recognises the central place of vocational
skills in the national innovation agenda,”
Tiltman said.
Apprentice mentor program
Program will support apprentices
in their first two years.
T
he National Apprentice
Employment Network (NAEN) has
welcomed $60 million worth of
funding for a new mentoring and support
program for apprentices.
The Industry Specialist Mentoring for
Australian Apprentices (ISMAA) funding
6
was announced by the assistant minister
for vocational education and skills,
Karen Andrews.
NAEN national executive officer
Lauren Tiltman said she was pleased
to hear that more than two dozen
organisations had been selected to
deliver the mentoring service, which
will support apprentices during their
first two years of training.
“The group training network is
“We strongly support the idea of a
comprehensive review that looks at
how the VET sector helps Australia to
navigate the innovation challenges, boost
productivity and remain internationally
competitive.
“The place of apprenticeships and
traineeships is well understood in the
contemporary economy, but less so in a
changing world of artificial intelligence,
machine learning and robotics, where new
skills and modes of training will be required.”
NAEN is now backing calls for a thorough
examination of the VET system, and the
implementation of new strategies to better
work with higher education institutions.
“While universities will continue to
generate valued R&D, the VET sector remains
the critical interface with industry, where
innovation, adaptation and new technology
are developed and deployed,” Tiltman said.
“Much has been done by governments and
industry to elevate the status of VET and to
recognise its contribution to a high-growth
economy. However, there is still some way
to go to emulate the best, internationally,
where technical and vocational skills are
highly valued.” ■
particularly pleased that the value of
mentoring and support services are
being recognised for the valuable part
they play in apprentice progression and
completion,” Tiltman said.
“Mentoring services are the bread and
butter of group training organisations
who work each day with apprentices,
trainees and host businesses to overcome
difficulties and improve the likelihood of
completion.
“The focus on apprentices in industries
experiencing structural change, as well
as those who may be vulnerable, is
extremely important.
“We know from experience that
early intervention to address problems
in the apprenticeship provides the best
chance of success and increases the
likelihood of a positive outcome for
apprentices and employers,” Tiltman said.
The program aims to increase
apprenticeship retention rates and
assist workers in industries undergoing
change. Some of the industries covered
include building and construction,
accommodation and food services,
electrical, and healthcare. ■