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Not just a dream Aboriginal pathways to higher level qualifications in TAFE NSW

Not just a dream Aboriginal pathways to higher level qualifications in TAFE NSW. Buunji Conference, Sydney, November 2013 Merv Donovan, Aboriginal Education and Training, NSW Department of Education and Communities Sue Roy, TAFE NSW – TAFE Strategy and Finance.

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Not just a dream Aboriginal pathways to higher level qualifications in TAFE NSW

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  1. Not just a dreamAboriginal pathways to higher level qualifications in TAFE NSW Buunji Conference, Sydney, November 2013 Merv Donovan, Aboriginal Education and Training, NSW Department of Education and Communities Sue Roy, TAFE NSW – TAFE Strategy and Finance TAFE NSW - TAFE Strategy and Finance

  2. “…This course, and the TAFE location, and people I met (including the teachers) were pivotal to me gaining employment, learning about life in general and growing as an individual…” “…It allowed me to dream on a whole other level.” TAFE NSW student response, BVET Aboriginal pathways research project

  3. about the research • Commissioned by the NSW Board of Vocational education and Training (BVET) • Aim - to identify: • a range of pathways taken by Aboriginal students, either into higher level qualifications at AQF Certificate III and above, or into employment • critical factors that assist young Aboriginal students to progress successfully into higher level qualifications and • barriers preventing progression. • Focus: 15–24 year old Aboriginal students who commenced their studies for the first time in 2005.

  4. the research process • mixed methodology • analysis of enrolment and completion data (2005–2010) of 3,014 15–24 year old Aboriginal students • semi structured individual interviews with 77 Aboriginal students (part of initial group, successfully completed AQF qualifications at Certificate III) • focus groups of Aboriginal support staff.

  5. the research within a policy context • 2005: Review of NSW Aboriginal Education • 2008: COAG - Closing the gap • 2009: NSW School leaving age legislation passed • qualification completions are a key output for the VET sector • relative youth of Aboriginal population (under 15 years, 35.8 per cent vs 18.3 per cent of non- Indigenous population (ABS 2011)

  6. Enrolments and completions for Aboriginal students (15–24 years) in TAFE NSW 2005–2010 15–19 year olds 20052010 % change (2005–2010) enrolments 4,636 12,280 164.9% completions 1,964 3,540 80.2% 20–24 year olds 2005 2010 % change (2005–2010) enrolments 2,232 5,438 143.6% completions 1,324 1,643 24.1%

  7. related and concurrent research • Karmel(NCVER, 2009) – Welfare to work: Does vocational education make a difference? • Oliver (NCVER, 2012) – Lower-level qualifications as a stepping stone for young people • Harding (NCVER, 2009) – engagement of young Aboriginal students • 2011, TAFE NSW – Getting clever about completions: Riverina Institute: Saying the course • Bowden (NCVER, 2012) - Importance of teacher attributes • Towney (NCVER, 2012) – teacher attitudes and links to employment outcomes

  8. key findings from tracking data • highest number of Aboriginal student enrolments in Foundation skills courses • approx 12% of 15-24 yr old Aboriginal students completed an AQF Cert III and above qualification over 6 years • level of school education a predictor of performance • Aboriginal specific programs – a valuable entry point • multiple non-completions an issue

  9. Number of Aboriginal students (15–24 years) enrolled in TAFE NSW for the first time in 2005 (n=3,014) Source: TAFE NSW – TAFE Strategy and Finance Note:TVET enrolments were 15-19 year olds only

  10. Pathways of Aboriginal students (15–19 years) who first enrolled in 2005 in a foundation skills course (n=73) Source: TAFE NSW – TAFE Strategy and Finance

  11. Factors which impact on Aboriginal student pathways: themes emerging from the qualitative data

  12. TAFE NSW – North Coast Institute Aboriginal Teacher Coach – Mary Dumas

  13. Student comments from “Not just a dream” “I liked it because it was just for Aboriginal people, because I don’t feel comfortable in the mainstream, I wasn’t confident and I was worried about being laughed out. This was my experience.” —“Not just a dream: Aboriginal student pathways to higher level qualifications in TAFE NSW”BVET Aboriginal Pathways project, 2012

  14. More information about the project • the final project report and TAFE NSW good practice examples are available from the TAFE NSW website at: https://www.tafensw.edu.au/services/indigenous/index.htm • any further questions about the project contact: merv.donovan@det.nsw.edu.au susan.roy2@det.nsw.edu.au or phone TAFE Strategy: 02 92668909 THANKYOU

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