«Back to previous

Closer ties to benefit vocational teaching and training

Friday, 28 October 2011

Teachers of vocational education and training are set to benefit from stronger ties between the TAFE Development Centre (TDC) and the L H Martin Institute.

Speaking on World Teachers' Day, Minister for Higher Education and Skills Peter Hall said stronger links between the two organisations would provide better support for teachers of vocational education and training to teach more broadly across the qualifications spectrum now and into the future.

"Closer ties between these two professional development organisations is good news for the many Victorians who are contemplating or in the process of developing new skills either at TAFE or non-TAFE training providers," Mr Hall said.

Both the TDC and the L H Martin Institute promote specialised knowledge in higher and vocational education and training. Working cooperatively together the two partners will provide important policy and research support, including the opportunity to conduct joint research, develop programs, and exchange and expand knowledge about higher education.

"Together these two institutions will become a formidable powerhouse of knowledge transfer for those that work in vocational education and training and higher education in Victoria," Mr Hall said.

"VET teachers increasingly work in a wide range of workplaces and with an incredibly diverse student population.

"The partnership is an important response to the emergence of a more cohesive tertiary education sector, the expansion of higher education courses into TAFE and other training providers, and the need to create stronger links between VET and higher education.

"As higher education courses are increasingly delivered by vocational education and training organisations we need to ensure that they are supported with appropriate education and research support.

"In 2011 the Victorian Government will make a record investment of around $1.2 billion in vocational training, and this is expected to increase to around $1.3 billion in 2012.

"It is important that we prudently match our investment in vocational education and training with support measures that reflect an increasingly diverse sector."

Download PDF 66.24 Kb