National Skills Week (19-26 August) shines a light on the breadth and diversity of vocational education and what it has to offer.
For MIsh Eastman, RMIT’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor Vocational Education, it’s a powerful prompt to change the way we think and talk about vocational education (VE) and TAFE, if we are to address Australia’s pressing skills shortages.
“Australia is battling a national skills shortage – it’s time to stop treating trades and vocational education like a fallback for the students who ‘can’t’ or don’t want to go to uni. These are skills and jobs in demand,” she says.
“When our high school students hear their parents and other adults talk about the TAFE experience, it’s of a TAFE that existed 20-30 years ago. This is a long way from the contemporary VE experience, which has undergone an enormous and very positive change.
“Trades are an important and necessary part of the VE system. However, they’re not the only part. Many people don’t realise the VE system provides meaningful and lifelong career opportunities in many areas of economic significance such as advanced manufacturing, engineering, health, dental, community services, entrepreneurship, IT and cybersecurity.
“VE offers accelerated learning models, where students can earn as they study and get into the workforce sooner. For students who can’t afford to study, who simply cannot take time away from paid work, VE is an educational lifeline. They go on to rewarding, enjoyable and purpose-filled careers in a broad range of areas – many with an earning capacity on par with those with a university degree.
“Our national skill builder is no second choice – it’s time to celebrate vocational education or at the very least, stop talking about it as a Plan B.”
