Vocational Education and Training

Mr MURRAY (Davenport) (14:56): Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have a question directed to the Minister for Education. Could the minister please update the house on how the Marshall Liberal government is delivering vocational education and training pathways across all South Australian schools and, in particular, whether he is aware of any alternative approaches?

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Minister for Education) (14:57): I am very grateful to have this question because for many years the Labor Party didn't talk about alternatives. They were afraid of anyone remembering their record on TAFE, and it has been a long time since they had alternatives in vocational education and training.

I do not want to dwell on that, because the Marshall Liberal government has delivered for the people of South Australia significant reforms to vocational education and training, indeed reforms that have seen already in their early stages a 37.1 per cent increase in school-based apprenticeship and traineeship commencements in 2019 to 2020 alone.

The news is excellent because from next year the reforms of the introduction of our Flexible Industry Pathways really hit the road—26 areas designed in close collaboration and consultation with industry and businesses in South Australia identifying the areas where there are skills and opportunities for fantastic careers using skilled and technical qualifications for our children and young people to find a great future and a great job and a great career right here in South Australia.

More than that, the analysis has gone into great detail identifying not just where there are job pathways but what is it that makes for a quality vocational education and training experience? Where are there industries that will take on a school-based apprenticeship or a traineeship? What are the reforms that need to be made to the timetabling of how a school delivers its program in years 11 and 12 so that a student can leave the school to go to a work site for appropriate times that suit the business while being supported to maintain and achieve their SACE along the way, and what makes up quality vocational education and training for school students?

There are some industries where it is not appropriate for a school student to be doing a particular qualification while at school. There is a long history of experiences that were identified in the ASQA review across the country and particularly here in South Australia in our analysis of vocational education and training. They were also identifying the particular challenges. When the focus is entirely on a school site, as is identified in the Labor policy, delivered only by teachers rather than by qualified vocational education training operators, then there are risks that have to be met.

In 2022, the flexible industry pathways will see 270 programs being offered across our state: from aged care and disability in Coober Pedy to engineering at Murray Bridge and building and construction at Port Lincoln; from automotive building and construction, early childhood and electrotechnology in Port Augusta, with aged care and disability, automotive, health support, hospitality, agriculture, building and construction, early childhood, electrotechnology and plumbing all offered to school students in Mount Gambier.

The member for Davenport asks about his community as well. Aberfoyle Park High School is offering construction and, indeed, early childhood pathways; Banksia Park is doing food processing; Modbury, building and construction, early childhood, hair and beauty; and Golden Grove has a suite from aged care and disability, early childhood, electrotechnology, engineering, hospitality and kitchen operation.

In the city, many of these Flexible Industry Pathways, designed in a school, will also be available to surrounding schools. In the country areas, there is a very broad offering indeed. Right across South Australia we want all our public schools to be offering fantastic pathways that will accelerate the move into skilled and vocational education because—you know what?—not every student needs to go to university to get an outstanding career. This is what we have been saying for years. Yesterday, I heard the Leader of the Opposition talking about it on the radio.

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order!

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Welcome to the party. It's what we have been saying for years—

Mr Boyer interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Order, member for Wright.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: —except our answers are actually working.