Gone are the days when vocational education was only for those who didn’t get the requisite grades. Today, a vocational course is seen as a great benefit — a hands-on, practical, skills-focused, work-related course that will help you get, and perform well, at a job. There are vocational courses that are the equivalent of a degree.
In the clutter of countries and courses that offer vocational education, one country that has managed to stand out is Australia. Internationally recognised as having one of the most advanced and innovative education and training systems in the world, it has been attracting international students for more than 60 years now, with about half a million students from around 200 countries each year.
Funding research
The country is majorly focusing on its research and development. Through the Backing Australia’s Ability initiative, A$2.9 billion (about Dh10 billion) will be invested over the next few years to fund research that will stimulate economic and scientific innovation. There are 35 special Research Centres and Key Centres of Teaching and Research based at Australian universities. All this bodes well for Australia’s industry-led vocational education and training (VET) system, which falls under the tertiary education segment and is upheld as a benchmark around the world for its high standards, industry relevance of its courses and strong industry linkages.
Courses available include computer science, business administration, IT, PR, accounting, aviation, graphic design, travel and tourism, commercial cookery (chef), beauty therapy, sports and fitness, etc.
Vocational courses are offered at different price levels in Australia. Education institution providers collaborate with employers who have identified skills that are critical to their work needs, called the National Industry Competency Standards. Students have to demonstrate competence as per Industry Competency standards to become graduates.
Enrolment prerequisites
The duration of courses could vary between six months (certificate courses) to up to two-and-a-half years (diploma or advanced diploma). Enrolment procedures differ for each school. However, some requirements are common for all the courses. All vocational training colleges have English language requirements for their international students. You need to have studied English or have at least upper intermediate competency. Some VET schools may ask you to appear for a placement test to ensure this. Successful completion of an 18-month to two-year diploma course can provide you with direct entry to the chosen university bachelor’s degree course. Some schools have Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), where you show official documentation of what you have studied previously and your work experience, which can reduce the length of your course by up to six months.
Recognised courses are strictly regulated by the Australian government for quality of teaching staff, facilities and course content. VET qualifications are provided by government institutions, called the Technical and Further Education (Tafe) institutions, as well as private institutions. Australian governments (federal and state) provide funding, develop policies, and contribute to regulation and quality assurance of the sector. Industry and employer groups contribute to training policies. Apart from VET and Tafe, there are also other funded and private institutes that offer in-depth courses in various fields. The Australian Council of Private Education and Training (ACPET) is the top association of private providers of higher education and vocational education training in Australia.
Legal shields
Additionally, in Australia, the quality of education provided to international students and the provision of up-to-date and accurate information is protected by law — under the Education Services for Overseas Students (Esos) Act 2000. The national VET Regulator, the Australian Skills Quality Authority, ensures the quality of education to all students involved in vocational education and training. Students on a study visa are covered by the consumer and financial protections of the Esos Act 2000.
With such stringent focus on quality control, it’s no surprise that Australia finds itself on top of the vocational education pyramid worldwide.
