The New National Training System

1. The New National Training System Mr Craig Robertson Strategic Directions and Infrastructure Branch Manager Department of Education, Science and Training

2. Overview • Impetus for reform • New arrangements for the National Training System • Guiding principles for reform • Agreements and legislation • National Governance and Accountability Framework • National Skills Framework • Older learners in VTE • A new focus on older VTE participants

3. The National Training System • Industry leadership and engagement • Training qualifications developed by industry • Industry determines competencies for each qualification

4. Developments and challenges • Australia has experienced a period of economic growth • New challenges for the economy include • Ageing population and workforce • Attracting young people to trades • Addressing emerging skills shortages

5. There are national imperatives • Strong economic growth • Globalisation of the economy • Need for skilled employees • Ageing population • Changing work structures and patterns • Importance of education exports

6. Priorities have emerged for the VTE system • Expanding the VTE system • Meeting industry skill needs • Re-skilling and retraining existing workers • Responding to emerging technologies • Increasing efficiency

8. Skills shortages: problem and response Traditional and emerging industries National impact and response Forecasting and data analysis Industry Governments Users and participants Students Regions and communities

9. Guiding principles for reform • Industry and business to drive training • Quality training and outcomes be assured • Processes simplified and streamlined • Opportunities for people to gain a range of skills • Increased training opportunities for skill shortage areas

10. The new VTE system is now embedded in national legislation Bi-lateral agreements National Training System Multilateral funding agreement

11. Agreements under the legislation are leveraging change • Skills shortages • Responsiveness, outcomes, quality • Mature age workers • More private provision • Specific reforms targeted

12. Ministerial Council of Australian and State/Territory Governments National Industry Skills Committee National Senior Officials Committee National Quality Council National Centre for Vocational Education Research Individual Industry Skills Councils The national governance and accountability framework

13. National Skills Framework Quality Delivery (AQTF) Quality Training Products Registered Training Organisations Registering and Course Accrediting Organisations Training packages Support Materials The national skills framework

14. Industry plays a key role GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FRAMEWORK INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AND ENGAGEMENT NATIONAL SKILLS FRAMEWORK Advice to Ministerial Council Input to planning & policy development Input to national research and analysis priorities National Industry Skills Committee National Quality Council Industry Skills Councils Action Groups Determine basis for training standards – competencies Input to Training Packages & qualifications Input to recognition, accreditation & regulation

15. We are building engagement with all key stakeholders • Industry • Students • Governments • Communities

16. Older learners engage with VTE

17. Older VTE participants are increasing • In 2004: • Approx 300,000 people aged 45 & over undertook publicly funded VTE • Approx 20% of the total VTE • population • 25,700 aged over 65 years

18. VTE provides opportunities for older people • Progress in current employment • Retrain for a new job • Re-engage with the workforce • Keep up with changes in technology and work practices

19. Representations of older learners in VTE, 2004

20. Percentage of students in the public VTE system by age & AQF level, 2004

21. We support older VTE participants in a number of ways • New focus on engaging older VTE learners • Agreement priority • Target places for mature age • New Apprentices Incentive Program (NAIP) • Basic IT Enabling Skills (BITES) • Mature Age projects from ANTA

22. New Apprenticeships Commencements

23. Basic IT Enabling Skills (BITES) for Older Workers Programme In 2003-04: • 11,330 participants • 306 locations • 91% completion rate

24. Older worker projects from ANTA • NCVER Systematic Review Research Project – Mature Age Workers – 2004 • Development of a Code of Practice for Mature Age Workers (SA) • Valuing Older Workers website and workshops (SA) • Meeting Needs of Mature Age Workers (WA)

25. Older VTE participants can also benefit from • Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program • Workplace English Language and Literacy Program

26. Language, Literacy and Numeracy Program Jobseekers 15–64 years who have language and/or literacy and numeracy barriers to employment or further education. • 60 providers, 340 locations • 21,870 commencements in 2004 • $48.156m in 2004/05

27. Workplace English Language & Literacy (WELL) Program Limited/no training Poor numeracy skills Poor literacy skills English Language Barriers to employment $13.96m in 2004/05 18,143 in training 2004/05

28. Australian Adult Literacy Website: • Provides information about Australian adult literacy: • activity • professional development opportunities • resources and research sites • www.dest.gov.au/literacynet/

29. Thank you