Jenny Macklin, the former federal Labor politician, will lead a review into VET in Victoria.

The review is focused on developing a VET system that meets both industry and government’s needs, while supporting individual students to get what they need.

The terms of reference are wide-ranging

As the webpage for the review points out, its purpose “is to make recommendations to ensure Victoria has a quality vocational education and training (VET) system ready to equip Victorians with the skills they need for current and future jobs, with strong connections and pathways between VET and Higher Education as well as schooling.”

The seven terms of reference, outlined in the Ministerial Order cover a lot of ground:

1. What are the education and training needs for jobs in Victoria over the next ten years?
2. What reforms are required to meet the skills and capability needs of industry and employers, government and the community over the next decade?
3. What reforms are required to build industry investment in skills and workforce development, including apprenticeships and traineeships?
4. What reforms are required to improve access to Higher Education and VET for students that are entering the workforce, and those seeking to reskill or upskill later in life, no matter their background?
5. What reforms are required to ensure relevant, high quality teaching and VET courses that produce job-ready graduates at all stages of their career?
6. What reforms are required to improve pathways, and connections, between TAFE and other VET providers, adult and community education providers, universities and other non-university higher education providers, schools, and employers, so students can easily understand and navigate the post-secondary system and update their skills throughout their careers?
7. What reforms are required to improve the funding arrangements of Victoria’s VET sector?

What’s happening now and how do I stay informed?

Consultations have already begun, and the report is due in about a year. In the interim the Review will prepare “an Issues Paper identifying issues and, potentially, broad recommendations for reform, by the end of February 2020.” Following that, a public submission process will be launched after the release of the Issues Paper.

You can also register for their mailing list at [email protected]

VDC News will highlight the Issues Paper when it is released later next month and report on the Review’s progress and outcomes.