Exploring opportunities for collaborative linkages in the vocational education and training (VET) sector

Abstract

Historically, vocational education and training (VET) has driven economic growth and productivity in industrialised nations. As markets become increasingly global and competitive, governments are increasing pressure on VET systems in Australia, Japan and other industrialised countries to produce more highly skilled and employable workers (Anderson 2003). It is clear that global economic change has been the main driver of VET Systems in the recent decades (Keating, Medrich, Volkoff and Perry 2002). Anderson (2003) critiques these recent aims of VET which he refers to as ‘productivism’. He calls for VET to prepare workers for an environmentally aware workforce, to ensure an ecologically sustainable future. Anderson (2003) argues that ‘productivism’ for economic growth is out of date as is ‘work’ as paid employment because it is separated from other domains of life. In the future, it is essential to realise and develop other life values, as paid employment may become a privilege of the minority (Anderson 2003).