The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Skills Council met in Brisbane today to agree on an ambitious approach to enhancing the vocational education and training (VET) system.
Ministers discussed a draft COAG VET Reform Roadmap that will guide reforms to improve the vocational education and training sector.
The roadmap will reinforce the priorities agreed at the Council's inaugural meeting in September: to ensure VET is responsive to the job market, employers, industry and learners; to support public confidence in the quality and value of the sector; and to ensure all prospective students and employers can access information and training easily.
Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business and Chair of the Skills Council, Senator the Hon Michaelia Cash, said that the second meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Commonwealth, States and Territories to strengthening and modernising the VET system.
"I am pleased to see all jurisdictions working collaboratively on our shared vision."
"A nationally consistent and flexible VET system is a shared responsibility across the Commonwealth, states and territories. It requires meaningful change, including structural and legislative reform," Minister Cash said.
At the meeting, the Skills Council agreed to a suite of immediate actions to improve the current system by streamlining national training products, to make them faster, simpler and better.
The Skills Council also welcomed the reforms recently announced by the Government to improve the Australian Skills Quality Authority's regulatory approach and engagement with the sector.
Minister Cash said reforming the sector will deliver a better VET system that provides workforce skills and relevant, up-to-date qualifications that match the changing needs of Australia's modern economy and jobs market.
