Craig Robertson, the leader of Victoria’s Skills Authority, is set to steer a fresh initiative to revamp vocational education and training (VET) qualifications. He will head the newly formed VET Qualification Reform Design Group, focused on making VET qualifications modern and efficient.
Brendan O’Connor, the Minister responsible for Skills and Training, has highlighted a major problem in the current education system. Many students are forced to learn the same things over and over again. Surprisingly, they have identified that more than 5,000 units of competency have a lot of the same material.
O’Connor emphasised, “This current model is not fit for the modern economy, where changing jobs and careers and lifelong learning has become the norm.”
This expert group includes members:
- Sarah Brunton: Electrical Trades Union, National Technical Officer
- Helen Cooney: Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association, Principal Policy Officer
- Megan Lilly: Australian Industry Group, Executive Director
- Geoff Gwilym: Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce, Chief Executive Officer
- Dr Margot McNeill: TAFE NSW, Chief Product and Quality Officer, Education expert
- Mathew Pearson: NSW Department of Education, Director – National Skills Reform, State and Territory nominated representative
By the end of 2023, the team aims to create new and smart training package rules that carefully match the needs of different industries. The Jobs and Skills Councils will offer expert guidance to the Design Group regarding the suggested rules and their practicality in different industries. Then, in 2024, the reform group will work on a plan for transitioning VET qualifications.
