Pre-vocational programs and Pre-Apprenticeships: The European experience

Peter Jacobson

vu.edu.au/tradesCRICOS Provider No: 00124K

Pre-vocational programs and Pre-Apprenticeships: The European experience

• Peter Jacobson – I have worked in the Australia VET sector as a trainer & assessor and manager across a variety of industries for over 25 years

• Director of Training / Trades College - Victoria University

• ISS Fellowship application in 2013

ISS Institute:

• Is an independent, not-for-profit, national organisation providing opportunities for Australians to gain enhanced skills and experience in traditional trades, professionsand leading-edge technologies, through overseas applied research Fellowships.

• Has over 20 years working with industry, government, education and individual organisations.

Passionate people. Great ideas. A better skilled Australia.

Overseas Fellowship Program

• The ISS Institute identifies and researches skill deficiencies through the Fellowship Program

• Fellows share their learnings through a written report, and then mandatory education/training activities, such as conferences or workshops

• Reports are distributed widely to relevant government, industry and educational institutions to maximise the skills and experience of the Fellowship

Passionate people. Great ideas. A better skilled Australia.

Pre-vocational programs and Pre-Apprenticeships: The European experience

• My application• Interview• Conference in Cologne• College visits• Holiday• ISS Report

New College Nottingham• Working class, 200 km from London, youth unemployment rate

of 16.4%• Training delivery / Retention strategy / Retention rate in 90%• City & Guilds

Glasgow Kelvin College• Fantastic facility, central location• Reform 2012, Post-16 Education Reform strategy (prepare and

stay in work) loans, retention, regions• http://

www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Education/post16reform/student-support

The conference objectives were exchange of experiences and knowledge between leading academics and experts in the field of Vocational Education and Training (VET). The experts were from various countries all over the world, e.g. Australia, South Africa, and the United States, from China, India as well as many other Asian and most European countries.The three-day event had 135 participants, who discussed international questions, problems, and perspectives on various VET-issues, such as policy and comparative research, transitions, pre-vocational education, initial and further training, quality assurance in VET and more.

Overview of my trip• Australia has been and is still well regarded as a leader in VET• Vocational training is front and centre internationally, especially

as the UK recovers from the GFC• Regional colleges, Scottish model• Student support must be improved in the RTO• How can we improve retention rates? • VET researchers from around the world, a common theme was

research to underline the economic benefits of training• ISS provides a great opportunity, publish my paper

VET (Trades) CollegeVictoria University has a 100 year history of vocational education and training.

Our apprenticeship programs support the growth of industry, which is critical to the economy and employment in the community. We help meet the demand for skilled workers in areas with skill shortages.

The Trades College offers a range of apprenticeships as well as pre-apprenticeship training programs. These courses provide foundation and generic skills, along with the practical hands-on experience valued by employers.

Our Facilities

VU’s Trades College is spread across several campuses - its hub is located at VU’s new Building and Construction facility at the Sunshine Campus. This $44 million training facility is a sustainable, state-of-the-art building which provides modern high-tech labs and dynamic workshops.

Trades College course offeringsCertificate II, III, IV

• Bricklaying• Carpentry• Electrotechnology• Engineering – Fabrication & Mechanical• Furniture Making• General Construction• Hairdressing • Joinery/Shopfitting/Stairbuilding• Painting & Decorating • Plumbing• Sign Industry

Live Work Program

Phone 9919 8457

EMAIL peter.jacobson@vu.edu.au

www.vu.edu.au search for trades

• City & Guilds www.gov.uk/government/organisations/skills-funding-agency

• ISS - http://www.issinstitute.org.au/

Contact Details