VET News

Opportunities and Challenges in VET Teaching

The report Building capability and quality in VET teaching: opportunities and challenges published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reveals issues that affect the recruitment of capable VET trainers with industry expertise in high demand skills, particularly in regional areas, and impact on the quality of VET teaching.

NCVER Managing Director Simon Walker said many of the challenges stem from the distinct requirements of VET teachers to have both industry experience and teaching skills, and that several factors need to be considered in raising the capability and retention of the existing VET teaching workforce, as well as attracting new trainers where needed.

“While there was a wide diversity of views expressed on how to address these concerns, the most critical theme that emerged during our consultations was the need for adequate and ongoing funding and support systems for VET teachers to engage in professional development,” Mr Walker said. “The need for a broader range of career path options was also seen as crucial, so capable and experienced VET teachers can progress into supervisory, mentoring or other leadership positions.”

The report examines current models and frameworks to define what capability and quality mean for VET teachers, and explores stakeholder views on implementing such frameworks in practice:

• Improving the quality of VET teaching: Ensuring the adequate resourcing of continuous professional development (CPD) opportunities is considered critical.
• Registration and accreditation: Supporters of mandatory registration believe its introduction would enhance the professionalism and status of VET trainers and help to attract staff.
• Introducing capability frameworks or standards: Supporters believe having a nationally prescribed framework could help to achieve national consistency, while non-supporters consider that RTOs should draw upon existing frameworks.  
• Raising the level of qualifications for entry to VET teaching : 
  • Many stakeholders agreed that the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) would in time, need to include knowledge of key pedagogical theories, principles of learning and assessment and teaching practice. 
  • The unique dual requirements of industry currency and quality teaching skills need to be addressed appropriately for the VET sector to thrive and meet rapidly changing workforce needs.
  • It was considered far more beneficial for students to learn LLN skills from trainers who understand how to 'unpack the learning around the complex process of reading, writing, communication and numeracy.'
  • The key barrier to amending entry requirements for trainers generally relates to the challenge of attracting sufficient industry experts to the role of trainer.
• Mentoring and supporting teachers throughout their careers: There is a need to implement systematic approaches to teacher preparation, mentorship support and opportunities for continuing professional development (CPD). 
• Attracting and developing a capable workforce: Approaches to attracting and developing a capable VET teaching workforce included recruitment campaigns that promote the good conditions offered by the job.  

Access NCVER's Original Media Release and Report, and also IBSA's VET Capability Framework below:

• NCVER Media Release
• Report: Building capability and quality in VET teaching: opportunities and challenges
• IBSA Vet Capability Framework

Date posted Sep 17, 2020