The changing role of the VET practitioner

The role of the VET practitioner has undergone considerable change in the last 15 years. It has become more complex and diverse. The main argument forwarded is that the VET sector must become more responsive to the training needs of a dynamically changing work environment, subject to global economic factors and influences; an ageing population, rising skills shortages and government policy. Critical issues in teaching, learning and assessment in vocational education and training require that:

“To address the idiosyncratic demands of each and every student and enterprise client, the VET practitioner needs a raft of new skills…Notably, these attributes represent a new hybrid mix of educational and business thinking.” (Mitchell et al 2006, p.23)

John Maddock, TAFE CEO, Box Hill Institute of TAFE clearly defined the issue in an interview in the March 2008 publication of the Campus Review. In response to the question “How flexible is Box Hill?”¹ he stated the following:

“We’re empowering all our people within our organisation to develop creative solutions that meet the needs of enterprises and students. That means that staff are expected to come up with innovative approaches. They are not expected to take out a program and say we think this training package will meet your needs. They are expected to ask what it is you are trying to achieve in your workplace; what are your workforce skill requirements. That leads us to ask ourselves: what do we need to do in order to offer this service?” Furthermore he adds “…One of the strengths of VET providers is that we can work across all boundaries and we can put together solutions for students and enterprises; and give them pathways, and flexible entry and exit points and credit transfer.”

It is clear then that VET teachers require a specific skills set tailored to meet the needs of industry and individual students.

Listen to 2 members of teaching staff talk about how their role has changed in the last 5 years.

Bill Thompson, Cookery Teacher, SBIT talks about changes in the role of the VET practitioner, including:

the rise of administrative duties
using new technologies
new skills
facilitating learning and assessment
personalising training
working with industry
mobility of qualifications.

Carrie MacCarthy Rose, Educational Leader, gives her views on the changing role of the of the VET practitioner, including:

the changes in the role of the student
the evolving role of the teacher
new skills
working with industry
changing delivery methods
capabilities of VET practitioners.