Vocational training
Government cancels more than $1.2 billion in VET student loans
The federal government has cancelled more than $1.2 billion in loans to VET students.
- by Anna Patty
Latest
Jobs
Vocational training loans would saddle many with a 'lifetime of debt'
The Productivity Commission has proposed tighter regulation to help protect students from rorters in private colleges.
- by Anna Patty
HSC
Education chief blames ATAR for 'profoundly distorting' final years of school
A learner profile should supplement the ATAR, and include life lessons learned working at McDonalds, or caring for others, says the new NESA chair
- by Jordan Baker
Education
Governments challenged to shake up 'Byzantine' vocational education system
A Productivity Commission report has found the skills sector is "underperforming, excessively complicated and suffers from ad hoc policy approaches".
- by Fergus Hunter
VCE
Why a Queensland TAFE-trained nurse can pay $14,000 more than in Victoria
Training companies hide course prices in Australia's complex $6.1 billion a year TAFE and vocational education sector. As a result too many students pay too much for their courses, a Productivity Commission reviews finds.
- by Tony Moore
Coronavirus pandemic
Industry calls for $3.9 billion intervention to save apprenticeships
The Australian Industry Group has urged the federal government to take immediate action to stem a dramatic decline in apprenticeships.
- by Anna Patty
Opinion
Opinion
Skills gap is the nation's chasm
Scott Morrison promises a path out of the decline of VET but is yet to prove he has the map – and the money – to achieve real change.
- by David Crowe
Jobs
'These are not Mickey Mouse courses': TAFE NSW swamped by 100,000 enrolments for free courses
More than 100,000 people have taken up NSW TAFE's offer of 21 free short courses to help boost skills training opportunities during the coronavirus pandemic.
- by Anna Patty
Analysis
Industrial relations
Morrison's industrial relations push needs employers to make a case
The Prime Minister has opened the door to significant industrial relations changes, but it will be up to employers to make their case.
- by David Crowe
Skills shortage
Health, IT and construction the priorities as business backs vocational training revamp
Business groups have welcomed Scott Morrison's push on skills but warn underfunding is a critical issue that needs to be addressed.
- by Fergus Hunter
Exclusive
Education
Free TAFE enrolments almost double in first year, 118 per cent surge in female students
The education union says the boom, coupled with the expected hike in practical courses after the pandemic, shows the government must fix a shortage of teachers.
- by Michael Fowler