Vocational Education not up to Standard

The Australian, Justine Ferrari, 23 August 2007

 

Griffith University lecturer, Leesa Wheelahan, believes that vocational education in schools and TAFEs have been
‘dumbed down’.

Ms Wheelahan, who teaches TAFE teachers, says that students are spending less time learning their chosen trade
through vocational education due to economic pressure. Even the $2.5 billion funding for vocational education and training, announced in the federal budget, seems to be unable to slow the skills shortage or to properly train
tradespeople.

She also argues that the system fails to teach students the theory that supports practical workplace skills. Ms
Wheelahan believes that course coordinators should not allow students to progress based on assessment rather
than on the time spent completing their course.

‘It takes a long time for people to learn and internalise knowledge, make it part of themselves,' said Ms Wheelahan.
‘We'd never dream of doing it to doctors, nurses or engineers and we have shortages in all those areas. So why is it
OK to do it in vocational education and training?’

Dr Dianne Mulcahy, a senior education lecturer with the University of Melbourne, agrees that the system is not
performing up to standard. Dr Mulcahy believes theoretical knowledge in vocational education is inconsistent, and that
the amount of theoretical knowledge covered depended on the teacher’s skill in curriculum design.

Ms Wheelahan’s research will be published in the British Journal of Sociology of Education next month.

 

 

 

 

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