Background
UNESCO Bangkok and The Korea Research Institute for Vocational Education & Training (KRIVET) are conducting a study on the 4 th Industrial Revolution and TVET: The Relevance of Entrepreneurship Education to contribute to the development of vocational education and training systems in the Asia-Pacific region, with a special focus on Entrepreneurship Education.
The specific objectives are to:
• Collect information on the current situation of TVET focusing on Entrepreneurship Education
• Identify challenges and opportunities in TVET focusing on Entrepreneurship Education
• Analyse primary TVET issues focusing on Entrepreneurship Education in selected countries
• Explore opportunities for enhancing Entrepreneurship Education in TVET
• Provide recommendations for moving forward
Outline of the study
Vocational Education and Training (VET, equivalent to TVET), in Australia is undergoing significant reform and transition.
This is in the context of a National Innovation and Science Agenda set by the Australian Government where it is silent on VET albeit there are many implications. The Agenda focuses on four key pillars of:
• Culture and capital
• Collaboration
• Talent and skills
• Government as an exemplar
Startups and entrepreneurs are a large contributor to new jobs and innovation in Australia. In fact, startups created 1.44 million jobs in the Australian economy between 2006 and 2011. The National Innovation and Science Agenda is helping innovators to get funding to back their ideas and have a go but this is not currently linked with or embedded in the VET system which is managed by the Department of Education and Training, as well as eight State and Territory governments.
The Prime Minister has established an Industry 4.0 Taskforce following the release of the report of the Australia-Germany Advisory Group in November 2015. The Australia-Germany Advisory Group recommended collaboration between government and industry in both countries on Industry 4.0, including initiating a collaborative approach to the development of global Industry 4.0 standards. The Prime Minister’s Industry 4.0 Taskforce has now signed a cooperation agreement with Germany’s Plattform Industrie 4.0. Managed by the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, the work on Industry 4.0 is not yet connected into VET training products and programs.
Recently, the Department of Education and Training undertook work to examine and develop a case for change to enhance training products, in partnership with industry and in consultation with the VET sector. This is to ensure that training products continue to be relevant in the future, and support skills development as technology and industry changes.
Technological changes, changing growth industries and how workers engage with labour market are among a range of economic forces changing the future of work and the skills required by the Australian workforce. It is imperative that training products remain adaptable to a range of factors that will affect workforce trends and to provide learners with the skills and capacity to enable them to achieve a broader range of employment opportunities or further study.
The scope of this study is to answer the following questions:
• How can entrepreneurship education through VET support the implementation of the National Innovation and Science Agenda in Australia?
• How does or could entrepreneurship education relate to Australia’s National Training Packages (VET curriculum)
• What are some current examples of entrepreneurship education in VET programs across Australia?
• Into the future, how can entrepreneurship education through VET address Industry 4.0 and Workforce 4.0 requirements, including 21st Century capabilities and training products?
This study will address the specific objectives of the research study and make recommendations to the Australian government, State and Territory governments, VET stakeholders and to UNESCO/KRIVET colleagues.
The methodology for this study will include:
• Desk top review on the current situation, research and initiatives;
• Call out for current examples of entrepreneurship education in VET programs across Australia (via email, events, social media);
• Map of entrepreneurship capabilities and skills to Australia’s Training Packages to see what is covered and where the gaps are;
• Survey that asks how questions related to how entrepreneurship education through VET can address Industry 4.0 and Workforce 4.0 requirements including 21st Century capabilities and training products; and
• Analysis and collation of information, identification of areas for enhancing Entrepreneurship Education in TVET and recommendations for moving forward.
For further information please contact Wendy Perry via wendy@wendyperry.com.au, thank you.