Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives Upon successful completion of this subject, students should have developed an understanding of the history of national and state provision of vocational education and training; the debate (advantages and limitations) surrounding the introduction of the policies associated with the training reform agenda; the policy frameworks for vocational education and training; the budgetary, administrative and reporting processes for vocational education and training; vocational education and training practices with a view to developing critique and/or aspects of good practice; labour market policies and programs; the policies and program provision associated with non-traditional and disadvantaged groups; the frameworks that have been developed to ensure the overlap and compatibility of the states within a national system; pedagogical practices which attempt to integrate English language and adult literacy with vocational education and training; pedagogical practices which attempt to utilise the workplace environment and integrate work performance; the way that pedagogical practices can variously reinforce and/or challenge the social relations of the workplace.
Synopsis This subject is designed for those interested in administrative issues and teaching and learning for the workplace. It has both a theoretical and practical base. Relevant theory and research are examined along with implications for practice. The subject looks at the broad social, political and economic context and how this impacts and shapes vocational education and training. This includes the workplace reform and training reform agendas along with the implementation of a national approach to the vocational education and training curriculum. Students will be presented with a number of case studies as an opportunity to examine exemplary models of innovation and good practice, along with the opportunity to consider the ways that these align to the general thinking of the reform agendas. Two specific focuses will include the policy frameworks from the Department of Employment, Education and Training, Australian National Training Authority and the Office of Training and Further Education and their relationship to the broader workplace reform and national training reform agendas; and to the more specific level of how these bear out in practice on providers and in their pedagogical and curriculum practices. This subject provides opportunities to broaden understanding of the social, economic and political theories, the policies and the practices associated with vocational education and training. It provides opportunities to explore the administrative, curriculum and pedagogical implications arising from the training reform agenda. It provides opportunities to study innovations as these relate to the workplace and vocational education and training.
Assessment Written assignments (totalling 6000 words): 100% + Class presentation