The facilitator presented on the situation in Australia. Main points were:
- competency-based apprenticeships
- qualifications recognised across Aus
- maximum flexibility in system - impacts on quality
- grow private training orgs with effective competition
- school-based apprenticeships
- RPL - want to improve uptake
- industry wants to control knowledge base - web 2 does not fit
- training providers not keeping pace with rapid technological change - important
- costs, flexibility and access
- need training to meet needs of lifelong learners - skills shortages, shiftworkers, contractors, mature learners, just-in-time and to suit learners
- need to build capability - respond to physical and online environment
- changing role of education and training
- more of the following:
- distributed networks
- social networking
- blended and flexible models
- facilitation driving pedagogy not instruction
- innovation
- market changes e.g. full employment