It’s all about Perspective……..

When I first entered the VET sector, the target group of students completing the TAE were predominantly aged 40 plus, looking at ways to transition into other roles, and those existing trainers having to upgrade due the requirements of the previous Standards.

This last year I have been seeing quite a change in our enrolments. Students are in their 30s, and some even in their late twenties. Not all of them are completing the TAE40122 because the workplace is asking for it – they are completing the Cert IV as they want to actually be educators. Personally, from what I am seeing, is that the younger generation are actually really valuing passing on their knowledge, and they want to support others – their peers – in learning new skills.

I do find this incredibly refreshing, and it makes me excited for what lies ahead in our sector. Yes, we have extensive changes happening, and there is all this uncertainty as no one knows how everything is actually going to pan out, but education is thriving!

I know that there has been a lot of negativity from private RTOs about Fee Free TAFE, and yes, this has had a big impact on the sector, but I like to think that quality is outweighing pricing. With the removal of certain RTO providers who did tarnish the sector (and yes, this is a whole other discussion with all its layers), I think there is a renewed energy starting to show itself. Maybe it’s a coincidence that younger people are completing the Cert IV TAE, but I am starting to think that new entrants into the VET sector are actually starting to see the benefits of the TAE, and they aren’t jaded by the previous iterations. They never went through those changes, they never experienced the versions of the BSZ, TAA and TAE10/16 and the forced upgrades.

As a TAE provider, I am enjoying and appreciating the gusto and energy that I am seeing in the sector. People coming in with fresh eyes, fresh perspectives and an energy that is contagious, knowing that all they want to be is educators. And the best part is that they don’t carry the baggage or the negativity of the past with them. You don’t know what you don’t know 😉.

So yes, I am excited for what the future is bringing and while there is uncertainty, change is the only constant we have in life. By embracing change and focusing on the positive, I think we can change the entire perspective of so many facets of the VET Sector.

We cannot change what happens around us and what we have no control over, but we can change how we approach and work through these situations.

Article written by Douwlene Burdett

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