Government-funded VET – where are students enrolled?

Nationally it is apparent that despite the emphasis on Fee Free TAFE (and similar state-level schemes in operation in most jurisdictions) – the highest rate of growth in enrolments at the provider level has been in “other government providers” (mostly these are the VET divisions of the public universities) and the adult and community education (ACE) sector.

Looked at over the last five years quite different enrolment patterns are evident by provider and jurisdiction (and note that here I have included ‘other government providers’ in with the TAFE figures in each jurisdiction).

Keep in mind as you consider the above data, that both the NSW and Queensland governments have VET reviews underway. The Queensland review commenced in the middle of last year and has not been finalised yet. The NSW review is due to report to government in the next few months.

The fact that Queensland has not yet finished its VET review and the timing of the NSW review is likely due to the details which are yet to be finished in the National Skills Agreement that states and territories are negotiating with the Commonwealth government.

Although we have a new National Skills Agreement in place – it does not yet have all of the substantive details in it, ie what specific courses will be funded at what funding rates in which states/territories over the next five years?

The Commonwealth government has made it clear (in appearances by senior officials in Senate Estimates hearings) that it is hoping that States and Territories will work with it on a shared stewardship approach which would lead to some greater consistency in the funding for priority VET qualifications. The intention is that the National Skills Agreement will be supported by a national ‘plan’ (expected to be finalised by mid-year) which will sit under the Agreement and contain some of the course-level funding details for priority courses. Then based on the national plan, States and Territories will work up their own individual plans – and that is when Queensland and NSW will finalise their new strategies.

South Australia on the other hand appears to have done the opposite and announced a new 10 year VET strategy just last week – although I am still looking for the details of the plan.

At this stage the SA government’s stated intentions are:

• “A stronger focus on learner wellbeing and completions – rather than focusing solely on commencements.
• Moving to a managed training system with greater government direction on where investment goes – better aligned to skills need and state priorities such as building and construction, defence, early childhood education and renewable energy.
• Placing TAFE SA at the centre of the skills system to deliver on government priorities, ensure regional communities have access to training, and drive collaboration with other training providers – with a strong role for not-for-profit, industry and other non-government training providers to complement TAFE SA’s public provider role.
• Having a greater emphasis on ensuring the quality and integrity of training providers and employers.
• Requiring employers, unions, and industry to actively engage.”