Higher Education Review Process

Varieties of Learning: the Interface between Higher Education and Vocational Education and Training

1. introduction

Boundaries are becoming less clear, and less relevant, particularly to the clients of education – the students, learners and other industry and community stakeholders who increasingly expect a holistic approach to tertiary-level or post-secondary education.
(ANTA/AVCC, 2000, p.19)

1     This paper examines the interface between the higher education sector and the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This is an important consideration in this Review because in looking at how the Australian higher education sector can best serve the nation, there is a need to consider how to maximise access to the available higher education opportunities for Australians. This necessarily involves looking at pathways from the VET sector. There are also important issues concerning collaboration between the sectors to improve the efficient use of resources, especially capital resources, and to provide students with opportunities to undertake learning in both sectors to meet their diverse career and personal development needs.

2     Each sector has its own distinct mission and the paper does not propose any changes to these. Instead, it focuses on the fundamental question - are there national benefits in taking a more strategic approach to the way in which the higher education and VET sectors interface? In addressing this question the paper canvasses a range of ways in which enhancements could be made. It does so in full acknowledgement of the respective roles and responsibilities of the Commonwealth and State and Territory governments.

3     The paper does not address broader issues associated with Australia’s post-compulsory education and training system. These issues are important to the future development of Australia and Australians but they are beyond the scope of this Review. 

4     In looking at the higher education/VET interface the paper first describes the two sectors, the factors shaping the relationship and the nature of the interface. It then considers a range of issues canvassed in submissions to the Review before concluding with some alternatives for ways forward to strengthen inter-sectoral links.

5     The issues raised in the paper touch upon several that are canvassed in other papers prepared as part of this Review. For issues to do with regional partnerships, readers are referred to Varieties of Excellence: Diversity, Specialisation and Regional Engagement. For a more detailed discussion of financing issues, readers are referred to Setting Firm Foundations: Financing Australian Higher Education.

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