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In 2022, The Association of Consulting Surveyors contributed to research on the outcome differential for VET & Higher Educational Pathways.
This resulted in the publication of VET and higher education pathways - do outcomes differ for the same occupation? by the National Centre of Vocational Education Research (NCVER) - with Surveyors used as an example within this report.
With Supply and retention issues remaining a significant concern facing the vocational education and training (VET) workforce, the Australian Government is developing a VET workforce blueprint to support, grow, and sustain the VET workforce.
The Government has called for contributions from stakeholders to inform the development of this Blueprint. We are pleased to have made a Submission on behalf of our Members, and Surveyors across Australia.
In this submission we aim to highlight the surveying profession's indispensable contribution across various sectors, including infrastructure, environment, and disaster recovery.
Our submission draws attention to the persistent skills shortage. Efforts to mitigate this issue include promoting surveying careers through local school programs and leveraging immigration to support major projects.
Despite an increase in the skilled workforce, a gap remains, particularly for survey technicians trained in the VET sector, with demand outstripping supply.
Key challenges faced in VET education for surveyors include limited course availability across states, a pressing need for more teachers, and difficulties in attracting and retaining educators due to industry demands.
Our submission advocates for modernised delivery models in VET education, allowing industry experts to contribute part-time, based on their expertise, to alleviate teaching pressures and enhance learning outcomes. Much of this is being done through the Surveyors Academy.
We are recommending the creation of an assessment process to evaluate incoming teachers' skills related to the TAE, suggesting a flexible approach to accommodate highly qualified professionals' contributions.
Moreover, the submission stresses the importance of industry partnerships in developing relevant and effective training programs, exemplified by the establishment of the Surveyors Academy to address educational gaps.
We are calling for a reconsideration of the TAE requirements and delivery methods to better suit the practical nature of surveying, advocating for a hands-on learning approach that aligns with industry needs.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns regarding this submission or any other Advocacy related enquiries - please contact our Head of Advocacy Melanie Gibbons via melanie@consultingsurveyors.com
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