School leaving age raised - boost for VET in Schools?

From January 2010 all Victorian students will be required to complete Year 10 and remain in some form of education, training or employment until the age of 17.

"Giving our students a good education opens them to options that suit their individual aspirations and with a platform to pursue their dreams," Minister for Education, Bronwyn Pike, said.

Research shows that young people who stay in education and training significantly boost their career prospects and have a better chance of experiencing all the benefits that come with a good education.

The amendment to the Education and Training Reform Act sets a higher bar for the community. It is not intended to punish school leavers. This approach builds on the many programs already in place to support early school leavers.

"We have some fantastic examples of vocational programs that are inspiring students to broaden their horizons and become job-ready while still at school," Ms Pike said.

In Victoria, students can choose from a range of academic and applied learning options, including the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). Students can also undertake the popular Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Schools program as part of their VCE or VCAL.

(Ed.To find a school close to you that conducts the VET in Schools Certificate II in Engineering Studies follow this link 

http://schlprv.vcaa.vic.edu.au/schoolsstudiessearch/vetsearch.asp 

Go to "VET Certificate" on the page. In the drop down box select "Certificate II in Engineering Studies -VES- 21566VIC".)
"Victorian students are embracing these options, with more students staying on to complete Year 12 or its equivalent," Ms Pike said.

As well as Victoria, from next year all other states and territories will implement the National Youth Participation Requirement, which includes a mandatory requirement for students to complete Year 10 or an equivalent and be in some form of education, training or employment until the age of 17.

More information on VET in Schools can be found at :- 
http://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vet/programs/sbnafaq.html
 

States and Commonwealth agree to modernise trade apprenticeship system.

The Hon Julia Gillard MP Minister for Education. Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations & Minister for Social Inclusion Deputy Prime Minister. Joint Media Release with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. 7 December, 2009

The Council of Australian Governments today agreed to create a new, independent national regulator for the vocational education and training (VET) sector.

The regulator will be responsible for the registration and audit of registered training providers across Australia.

It is significant micro-economic reform for a $6.4 billion industry, with close to 5,000 providers charging students almost a billion dollars a year.

More than 1.7 million students and thousands of Australian businesses have a stake in improved quality and better outcomes from the VET sector. These reforms will help to deliver a mobile workforce with common skills standards.

It will mean employers can have confidence in the skills and qualifications of their employees, wherever they are trained in the country. It will also mean employees can invest in their education and training with an assurance about the quality and transferability of their qualifications.

This step will build a stronger national training system and bring Australia closer to an inter-connected tertiary education sector.

A framework for the new body will be agreed by the end of May 2010 with the regulator beginning operation from 2011.

The regulator will be a Commonwealth statutory authority and will have responsibility for VET providers in all states and territories, other than WA and Victoria, and nationally all providers wishing to operate in more than one jurisdiction or enrolling international students.

COAG has also agreed to modernise Australia’s trade apprenticeship system following the recommendations of the Australian Apprentices Taskforce.

COAG has agreed to strengthen apprenticeship participation and support systems and reduce red tape for employers.

Pathways into an apprenticeship will be enhanced through a significant reform of pre-apprenticeships.

COAG also agreed to ensure that there is effective implementation of competency-based progression and completion for apprentices.

The Australian Apprentices Taskforce clearly articulated the role of governments and industry as partners in a streamlined and responsive apprenticeship system.

Its report highlighted the need to improve access, pathways and outcomes for the benefit of employers and apprentices alike.

The Taskforce also noted the importance of a high quality training and employment experience in achieving higher rates of apprenticeship completions.

In addition, COAG agreed to begin work on a Unique Student Identifier system.

This will help to ensure that current and prospective students will have a complete record of their educational achievements across jurisdictions during the course of their studies.

These reforms will help cement Australia’s international reputation as a high quality provider of Vocational Education and Training - with a strong, national regulatory regime.