Making sure the VET sector serves regional, rural and remote Australia remains an ongoing policy priority. In this episode, we talk about the challenges that RTOs face when delivering training in regional Australia. What are the barriers and how are they being addressed? We also consider whether local training providers should be given more flexibility to tailor their programs to meet the specific needs of the communities they serve. Steve Davis interviews Joanne Payne, Managing Director, Central Regional TAFE in WA, Tabatha Griffin, Senior Research Officer, NCVER and Simon Walker, Managing Di ..read more

In 2022, we invited expert vocational voices from the VET sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. ‘Best of 2022’ is a roundup of the most interesting snippets and research findings from across the four podcast episodes we released during the year. Full of short and sharp insights from each of our guest speakers, we cover off some of the best bits of Season 7 ..read more

Aside from the health and economic impacts, the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected Australia’s VET sector. The full scale of these effects, however, has just started to emerge. In what ways did the first waves of the pandemic affect the VET workforce – including trainers, resource developers and administrative staff? What changes and innovations happened? More importantly, what were the impacts on students and their practical learning, particularly those in industries with a high skills shortage? Steve Davis talks to Jenny Dodd, Chief Executive Officer, TAFE Direct ..read more

Join host Steve Davis for some handpicked highlights from three panel discussions at the 31st National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’ held in July 2022. The conference theme was VET's role in transforming the future. Topics covered in the lively discussion include why business leaders are turning to education and training for the solutions; the future skill needs of service-based industries; upskilling and reskilling and the impact of COVID-19 on employers and their training choices; strengthening skills pathways to work for disadvantaged youth; quality VET delivery; and VET course p ..read more

Both vocational education and training (VET) and higher education (HE) offer the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed to equip students to progress their career and lifelong learning.  But given the difficulty and huge costs associated in integrating VET and HE, how do we harness the best of both sectors and maximise their benefits to students, employers and industry? Megan Lilly, Executive Director of Ai Group’s Centre for Education & Training and Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER talk to Steve Davis about why greater connectedness and fluidity between the sectors might b ..read more

Participation in higher education by school leavers has increased significantly in the last decade. VET participation has lagged by comparison. Are students headed for university accorded higher status at school than those who prefer to pursue a trade apprenticeship or traineeship? While the general outcomes for students who participate in VET in Schools is good, choosing the right VET course or VET pathway is critical, as some pathways are undoubtedly better than others in terms of employment outcomes. Professor Peter Shergold AC, who chaired a major review for Commonwealth, State and Territo ..read more

Steve Davis, Simon Walker, Linda Simon, Martin Powell, Kira Clarke, Joanne Waugh, Bryan Palmer, Professor John Buchanan, Megan Lilly, Dr Kaye Bowman, Michael Hartman, Dr Martha Kinsman, Professor Stephen Billett 9 December 2021 (45 mins) In 2021, we invited expert vocational voices from the VET sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. ‘Best of 2021’ is a roundup of interesting snippets and research findings from across the four podcast episodes we released during the year. Full of short and sharp insights from each of our guest speakers, we cover ..read more

Steve Davis interviews a collection of presenters from three panel discussions at the 30th National VET Research Conference 'No Frills', held on 7-9 July 2021. Topics covered in the lively discussion include future-focused education and training delivered with, and in, industry; the 'futures' of work; understanding employers' training choices; and what is a VET system fit for the future? Speakers are Professor John Buchanan, The University of Sydney; Ms Megan Lilly, Australian Industry Group; Dr Kaye Bowman, Callan Consulting Group; Mr Michael Hartman, Skills Impact; Dr Martha Kinsman, Austral ..read more

Short-course training, often referred to as 'micro-credentials', is seen as an increasingly important form of training, particularly as governments respond to the social and economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Steve Davis talks to Bryan Palmer, Private Consultant and author of An analysis of micro-credentials in VET, and Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER about the different intepretations and definitions of a micro-credential, why so many students pursue enrolments in subjects not part of a nationally recognised program, and why a majority of activity in this space is privatel ..read more

Youth unemployment post-COVID is an all-hands-on-deck challenge. For young people who have lost work or have been looking for work, post-COVID recovery is going to be a fraught time if Australia doesn't take a well-structured pathway to recovery.  Join Steve Davis as he talks to Kira Clarke, Senior Research Fellow at the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Jo Waugh, Senior Research Officer, NCVER and Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER about the role the VET sector can and should play in the process. They discuss why vocational pathways in schools, work-based training, and career guidance are ..read more