Vocational education and training (VET) is the teaching and learning of a curriculum specific to the world of work. VET provides learning opportunities beyond the traditional curriculum and leads to the award of nationally recognised qualifications. VET is offered by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), in the Training and Further Education (TAFE) system, through private and community training providers and in high schools and colleges. Only RTOs can deliver nationally recognised qualifications. VET can link to university study options and provides up to six levels of nationally recognised qualifications as outlined in the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) in most industries.
VET in schools allows students to gain practical work-related skills that equip them for work while at school and assists them in their transition from school to further education, training and/or work.
Vocational courses differ from other high school courses in that they are:
Nationally recognised VET courses are developed from the competencies required for the completion of an AQF qualification and successful completion leads to the award of a Certificate or Statement of Attainment. All qualifications are part of an Industry Training Package.
Each industry has a training package that clearly defines the latest industry practices and benchmarks training and assessment to an industry or enterprise level. VET courses must be delivered and assessed by RTOs under the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF 2007).
VET in Schools programs provide opportunities for partnerships between education and industry. VET courses in schools provide students with the opportunity to gain many valuable skills required by industry. Vocational courses focus on competency based training and assessment, where the students are assessed against industry competency standards. These courses enable students to develop valuable vocational skills and may also lead to a nationally recognised qualification or Statement of Attainment.
The ACT Government is committed to helping all young people make a positive transition from school to further education, training and work. The purpose of this paper is to ask young people, their parents and teachers and the wider ACT community about how this should best be done. This includes asking whether the ACT school leaving age, which is currently 15 years, should be raised.
The last time the school leaving age was raised was in 1943, when ACT schools were part of the NSW system. Our society and economy have changed dramatically since then, and so have our schools.
ACT schools provide high quality education and training. Our students continue to demonstrate their high level of performance against national literacy and numeracy benchmarks. The ACT continues to have the highest year 12 retention rate and the highest percentage nationally of vocational education and training (VET) graduates employed or in further study after training.
In senior secondary education, our schools and colleges offer flexible pathways that lead to tertiary study and to recognised VET qualifications. Students can begin apprenticeships while they are still at school. Young people are also able to complete school qualifications through the Canberra Institute of Technology. Innovative programs, many in partnership with business and industry, increasingly link school studies with the worlds of work and community.
Despite these achievements, the ACT Government recognises that there are some students who leave school without engaging in another education or training pathway. Such young people remain at risk of long-term disengagement from the labour market and from satisfying participation in our community.
Research shows that if early school leavers move into a pathway that leads to a recognised VET qualification the outcomes are positive. As a recent national report stated, “Disengagement from school is not the same as disengagement from education.”
Raising the school leaving age, or introducing a policy of compulsory participation in education, training or work, are options that the Government is considering to support successful pathways for all students in the ACT.
I encourage you to consider the options presented in this paper and provide your comments. Input from all members of the ACT community will assist the Government to improve the educational outcomes and positive transitions through and beyond schooling for all our students.
Consultation Paper
The closing date for submissions is 31 October 2008.
Authorised by A.Barr, Australian Labor Party (ACT Branch), 21 Torrens Street, Braddon, 2612. Site by Kudasai
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