Striving to Inspire – VDC Conference Reflection By Hugh Guthrie
VDC held its annual VET National Teaching & Learning Conference at the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre on 15 and 16 August. It proved to be largest and (arguably) best yet, with the theme at this sold-out event “From Competence to Excellence – Strive to Inspire” resonating throughout the program. There were some exceptional keynote presentations and other sessions over the two days, and I’ll highlight a few here, and then focus in on others in subsequent issues of VDC News.
Focussing on futures, passion, trust and leadership
In the first foray into the nitty gritty of the VDC VET National Teaching & Learning Conference, we are featuring presentations by Dr Ben Hamer and Vicki Abraham.
Speaker 1
Ben is a Futurist and an Adjunct Professor at Edith Cowan University. In his keynote presentation (“Everything, everywhere, all at once”) he focused on the faster and faster pace of change, and how – as a result – we can get stuck in negative thought loops (How can things go wrong?). However, he thinks it’s better to think about how things could go right.
JSA Commissioner Barney Glover addresses the need for a better-connected tertiary ed system
Professor Barney Glover AO, the Commissioner of Jobs and Skills Australia, recently addressed the National Press Club. His speech, entitled Skills success in Australia: Aligning need with know how, stressed “the urgent need for a more connected tertiary education system in this country.”
No Frills conference papers and webinar now available
The conference papers from the 33rd No Frills conference held in Perth from 10 to 12 July are now available on the VOCEDPlus website. The theme this year was’ VET partnerships: Powering a dynamic workforce.’ A recent VDC News article summarised the paper NCVER routinely releases before each No Frills conference. This year’s was authored by Joanne Waugh. (However, we have also featured research on VET-employer partnerships before in VDC News, and you can access that article here.)
A retrospective look at National Safe Work Month
Safe working conditions are of course at the forefront of our minds in the VET Sector – with many of us in high-risk industries and professions. So, let’s take a look at this year’s themes for National Safe Work Month – as outlined on the Safe Work Australia website.
POP – 2022 Teaching & Learning Conference Platinum Sponsor
Guided by a distinct lack of services available for education providers, combined with a drive to start up a successful business, Sarah Phillips and her brother Alex Phillips created Pop Education.
TAFE SA Road for its future
The South Australian Government has commissioned another review of TAFE SA “to develop a roadmap for its future.” Work is starting on the review this month.
The review is being overseen by Associate Professor Jennie Rea from Victoria University and supported by an expert advisory group comprising of representatives drawn from industry, the Australian Education Union, TAFE SA Board, Skills SA, VET providers and regional areas.
Better support for Victoria’s apprentices?
The McKell Institute has just released a report entitled “Working, learning: Better supporting Victorian apprentices on the job.”
Apprenticeships are a key part of Australia’s skills development system, but – according to the McKell report – a skills deficit is being created by low training rates in key occupations in the technicians and trades and community and personal service workers occupation groupings.
Apprentice numbers in training have been in decline in Victoria, although numbers picked up in 2021. Completions have also been declining, affected in part by “the number of apprentices who cancel or withdraw from their training during their apprenticeship.”
National Skills Commission releases list of occupations in skills shortage
In the last year the Australian labour market has tightened, and more occupations than ever before are in skill shortage, and with employers receiving fewer suitable applicants per vacancy. In 2022 the occupations in shortage rose to 286. It was 153 in 2021.
There are clear increases in the shortages of community and personal service workers as well as labourers and machine operators and drivers. The persistent shortage of technicians and trades workers also continues, a recent paper released by the National Skills Commission reports.
VDC Event Celebrates World Teachers’ Day
“Hats off’ to all to teachers this World Teachers’ Day! It’s a day to celebrate how teachers are transforming education, rethinking the way ahead for the profession and Greening the VET Sector for Sustainability.
VDC is running its free annual World Teachers’ Day event on Friday 28th October – A webinar all about Greening the VET Sector. We’re featuring a Video Documentary commissioned by us, for you, “Greening the VET Sector for Sustainability” featuring ISS Institute presenters we know and love, Bill Mundy, Will Dagliesh, and of course, Marina McGrath. We also have our wonderful Guest Speaker, Margarita Pavlova, who will be speaking on the role of teachers in Greening the VET Sector.
You can check out more details and register here.
