The Hidden Paradox in Victoria’s Vocational Education and Training Future

In today's rapidly evolving job market, vocational education and training (VET) institutions play a crucial role in equipping graduates with the skills needed for the digital age. The challenge lies in delivering education that meets employer expectations, fosters ongoing skill development, and adapts to emerging industry trends.

The Victorian TAFE Association is pleased to present these insights from Crayon , Gold sponsor of TAFECreates23.

The strategic vision for the coordinated delivery of Vocational Education and Training in Victoria offers a progressive approach to solving this?multifaceted?challenge?for the state, and the nation more broadly. The irony lies in the significant technical and digital skillsets needed in the systems, platforms and applications required to connect industry, learner and community insights, and evidence to the provision of training and skills services.

The paradox is hard to miss. The solution to the shortage of digital skills relies on having a robust digital infrastructure, which itself requires a workforce proficient in the very skills it aims to cultivate! This dilemma highlights the urgency for a comprehensive approach that addresses the digital skills gap at multiple levels, including both upskilling the existing workforce and preparing future generations with the necessary digital competencies.

Developing the skillsets needed for the digital age requires training on the technologies themselves. Automation, AI, data platforms, and cloud are just some of the technologies that are already known to contribute significant value to VET institutes. The adoption of new technologies is likely to expand, as the VET sector continues to align to the strategic plans of State Government.

The performance of VET IT organisations and the ROI on technology will be determined by whether the money spent directly contributes to positive policy outcomes for the State Government, and creates sustained value for citizens. However, it is likely to take more than a decade for the influence of current investments to be seen and felt in the economy. In the shorter term, voters and taxpayers will hold Government and VET institutions responsible for prudent fiscal management. Demonstrating control of IT, software and licensing costs, well governed technology spending decisions and optimized use of all technology related resources will be vital.

In another twist of the plot, the skills and disciplines needed to establish effective cloud financial operations, run IT cost optimisation initiatives, and leverage the full benefits and advantages from vendor contract negotiations are also scarce, and in high demand.

Partnering with technology services organisations may offer a way to resolve the paradox, by tapping into their deep talent pools to find the technical, financial and operational skills needed to bridge internal capability gaps or get new initiatives underway.

Crayon?is proud to be a technology services partner to?VTA members, and a returning Gold Sponsor to the 2023 VTA State Conference.

Please reach out to Brendan Gillett and Louis Crozier for more information about Crayon .