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Australians have fortunately wide range of further education options after they graduate from secondary schools. Australia is the country known for World-class education internationally as it has the world's best ranking universities as well as a vocational education system. Basically Australia has two most popular options, one is studying in a University and another is vocational education and training (VET). Both of the systems have their own focus and style of learning along with unique strengths to offer, which one can choose according to your interest and fields. Though University in a long term has been regarded as the pinnacle of education and so-called the ‘best’ option for the brightest young minds, on the other hand, one should be aware of the fact that does vocational training has more to offer than students might have realized? What exactly VET offers.
Preparing international students with VET is like preparing students with qualifications essential to develop a specific goal that is preparing students with skills of work. VET is specifically designed to help students to join or re-join the workforce and also move into a new career along with gaining additional skills in their existing field of career. When VET qualifications are considered, it has a very practical focus and specific skills for students chosen occupation, a Vocational education and training course will basically have generic work-based topics. For instance- workplace health and safety.
For Australian's higher education is also known as tertiary education. In Australia, higher education is about providing education in well-known universities or by other higher education institutions such as TAFE- technical and further education and also RTO- registered training organization. The RTO is considered to be the training provider that is registered by ASQA so as to deliver VET services. Also upskilled is an RTO. International students can find a full list of RTO s that is maintained by the Australian government at training.gov.au, which is considered a flexible approach to learn. It helps the students and they can choose what to study according to their qualifications, but one should be sure about what’s best for them according to their personal and professional goals.
Stating the differences between vet qualifications and Higher Education qualifications-
Various Universities and VET providers both usually offer qualifications that are nationally and also often internationally known and recognized. Although there is usually some overlap between the qualifications levels. As in general- VET qualifications basically aim to provide a practical as well as a work-oriented skills base. There are also many differences in the grading and assessment process. As with VET qualifications: competency-based assessment is used, whereas with Higher Education qualifications-a grading approach to assessment is generally used. In both University and VET system today, there are a huge variety of courses and subjects available. The most essential factor to be considered is what’s your interest and your strengths. Usually, University courses are long term payoff that is it might take several years before you can actually use your qualifications to start earning your income or earn your living. Many students may not necessarily interested in going to colleges or universities but some career options really require degrees so it’s very essential to go to university to get a degree. For instance- for teachers mostly it is very important to have a degree to start teaching in Australian schools. Whereas in the vocational education system is quite flexible, it can be a great way to get fast track training so as to get a well paying skilled job. Besides, it can be also a quicker way to change your career path according to your interests and it is also ideal for those who are starting tertiary education late, as an adult. Most vocational qualifications are usually mandatory to work in some specific industries and for some specific roles. For instance- Professionals working in childcare are required to have at least some Certificates like Certificate III in Childcare.
In the recent decade fortunately the value of vocational qualification has been well recognized. In today’s scenario, it is now instantly possible to start your tertiary education easily in the vocational sector with a low or medium level of certificate qualifications. International students can start working as soon as they get their certificates in VET and become skilled professionals. Once students get the certificate they want to advance further in their field so that they can continue their studies to get more qualifications over the period of time and get higher level certificates, diplomas as well as advanced diplomas. Often some of the high-level vocational courses are actually entry parts into Universities and they can grant students advanced training that is credit or RPL towards their bachelor's degree.
Exploring Australian job markets and choosing education accordingly-
VET sector training usually focuses more on the skills required for the Australian job markets. Most of the traditional industries decline and suddenly new professions emerge, thus students can see a myriad of changes taking place in the Australian job market.
Australia’s VET system is quite well developed as it engages best with employers. Besides it also has the flexibility to deal with that of local employment conditions. It explains that RTOs like Upskilled is quite well placed so as to reflect workforce requirements along with training students for industries with high employment rates and essential requirements. Thus, VET courses basically take a very practical approach in learning and training students and it also tends to focus on preparing students for the workplace and earn their livings as well as explore their career opportunities.
