The Prime Minister, the Hon Tony Abbot MP, and the Minister for Industry, the Hon Ian Macfarlane MP, have recently made some significant announcements about the future of the VET sector.

The “skills and training sector is firmly in the national spotlight this week as the Government is announcing the most significant reforms to the vocational education and training sector in several decades” Minister Macfarlane said.

Announcements include:

• New arrangements for supporting apprentices and their employers
• Two new innovative training programmes for young people in regional areas
• Reforms to the way ASQA operates
• A new approach to the development of training packages
• A full review of training products (training packages and accredited courses).

Important links:

• Minister Macfarlane’s speech from 11 September 2014
• Minister Macfarlane’s media release from 11 September 2014
• Joint Doorstop Interview transcript from 8 September 2014

Prime Minister and Minister Macfarlane’s joint media releases from 8 September 2014:

• Lifting apprenticeship completion rates
• Jobs and new careers for young Australians to grow businesses

The Council of Australian Governments’ Industry and Skills Council has agreed to six objectives for the VET system. The objectives will shape VET reform to support the current and future skills needs of Australian businesses.

Read more...

To contribute to VET reform, email the VET Reform Taskforce at vettaskforce@industry.gov.au.

Engage in discussions about VET reform by joining the VET Reform LinkedIn Group, or register to receive updates.

Join the VET reform LinkedIn groupRegister for VET reform updates