subject: Study In Australia: Vocational Education [print this page] Vocational education prepares people for specific trades and crafts. Vocational education is related to the age-old apprenticeship system of learning. Apprenticeships are designed for many levels of work from manual trades to high skilled areas of work. Vocational education has diversified over the 20th century and now exists in industries such as retail, tourism, information technology, funeral services and cosmetics, as well as in the traditional crafts and cottage industries.
A crucial feature of the training package is that the content of the vocational qualifications is theoretically defined by industry and not by government or training providers. Vocational Educational Training Institutes in Australia are a part of a system that includes public, TAFE, and private providers in a national training framework consisting of the Australian Quality Training Framework. Courses offered under Australian Qualifications Framework and Industry Training Packages at Vocational Educational Training Institute defines the assessment standards for the different vocational qualifications. An industrial training package is "owned" by industry skills councils which are responsible for developing and reviewing the qualifications. Thus, presenting a highly industry relevant training to the students, making them capable to excelling in their careers as well as higher education degrees.
With advent of technology and increase in awareness, people are getting keen on pursuing study at vocational education training institute or at a University. The boundaries between Vocational education training institutes and tertiary education providers are becoming blurred. A number of Vocational education training institutes such as NMIT, BHI and WAI are now offering specialized Bachelor degrees in specific areas not being adequately provided by Universities. Such Applied Courses in the areas of Equine studies, Winemaking and viticulture, aquaculture, Information Technology, Music, Illustration, Culinary Management and many more.
Study in Australia at a Vocational Educational Training Institute opens new avenues for students interested in testing the waters before taking the plunge in the industry or for those with plans to pursue a full degree with hands-on training. There are several courses being offered at Vocational Education Training Institutes, with courses on retail, banking, engineering and business administration in high-demand. Study in Australia gives a new meaning to all-round development as the courses incorporate several elements such as ethics, necessary for creating complete professionals.
Vocational Education Training Institutes are an indispensible part of this training process; they provide hands-on training to students complete with relevant theoretical courses. Students also have a choice of joining these courses with relevant University qualification, thus gaining two qualifications at the same time.
