Week 7

         Analysis of trends and student demographics in Higher education show increasing drive by
         governments to fund and plan strategies that support education to skill the Australian
         population with increased rates of tertiary  qualifications for future work based on
         predicted  needs.

          The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary
Education,with the Australian Bureau of Statistics collect and make available Higher Education statistics data publications and reports relating to domestic and international students. Current reports include the Student 2012 Full Year: Selected Higher Education Statistics Publication.  The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Statistical Information data, publications and reference materials are available free online statistical data and reports include provision of Education and Training in Australia. The extract below taken from the ABS demonstrates changes and current trends in Higher Education in Australia

The Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, with the Australian Bureau of Statistics collect and make available Higher Education statistics data publications and reports relating to domestic and international students. Current reports include the Student 2012 Full Year: Selected Higher Education Statistics Publication.  The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Statistical Information data, publications and reference materials are available free online statistical data and reports include provision of Education and Training in Australia. The extract below taken from the ABS demonstrates changes and current trends in Higher Education in Australia Further drilling down in ABS statistical data shows that In NSW the participation rates of 15-24 year olds has increased from 56.8% in 2000 to 62.8% in 2010.

Federal and NSW state governments are targeting strategies and plans that are aimed to improve completion rates and increase levels of tertiary qualifications in state and regional populations.  Predictions of future skill shortages and changing trends in industry and community needs will result in specific funding strategies to the Higher Education sector. Funding allocations will be limited to specific workforce development programs and funding entitlements for individuals. The specific targeted programs will mean that the Higher education sector will need to plan and position itself to be offering the qualifications that are providing the skills of the future as identified by government and industry groups.

NSW Tertiary Education Plan outlines our vision for strong and effective partnerships between government and the tertiary education sector, to drive the economic, social and cultural development of New South Wales.  ■■increasing participation and attainment ■■developing a highly educated and skilled workforce, ■■facilitating research and development and innovation.    http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0020/7544/NSWTertiaryEducationPlan_1.pdf

South Western Sydney region the area in which I work  is the fasters growing population in NSW. The region demographics are dynamic with large numbers of the population being socially and economically disadvantaged also culturally and linguistically diverse with increasing numbers of migrant and refugee populations; My Skills Website provides statistics about the profile of learners who attend Vocational Education and Training.

South Western Sydney Institute of TAFE NSW   Student statistics   ·        Socio-economic status is quintile 1 which is the Most disadvantaged  46.2%     ·        Indigenous Students  2.6%      ·        Students with Disability  8.5%   ·        Apprentice/trainee students  14.6%    ·        Non English speaking background students  49.8%   ·        Diploma and above  11.1%            Students by Previous highest education level ·        Bachelor degree or above  11.3%        ·        Diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree  8.1%  http://www.myskills.gov.au/Statistics/RTOStatisticsSearch/RTOStatisticsSearchResults/RTOStatisticsDetail.aspx?code=90008

In the faculty that I work in included education for the Community Services and Health industry sectors which has Increasing demand for care and support services. Further demand is predicted based on demographic factors and service reform. South Western Sydney has increasing Aged and a Youth population future work in Health and Community Sector is has been identified by state and local governments.

Pathways from Diploma to Higher Education qualifications with local universities are established with credit and articulation in to degree qualifications. Some higher level qualifications are being delivered with new qualifications being planned through partnership arrangements with Higher Education providers and through TAFE NSW Higher Education which is a TEQSA approved arm of TAFE NSW

Patterns of international student enrolments across Australia by state and territory are available from Australian Education International (AEI) website which publishes tables and records showing changes through progressive reporting about international student. Demographic data is freely available including the background, characteristics and numbers of students in different levels of education the specific qualifications, enrolling and completions data.

References

1301.0 - Year Book Australia, 2012 Latest ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 24/05/2012 Accessed 4^th May 2015 from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by%20Subject/1301.0~2012~Main%20Features~Higher%20education~107

Australian Education International (AEI) website accessed 4^th May 2014 from https://aei.gov.au/research/International-Student-Data/Pages/InternationalStudentData2014.aspx

Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council: Environmental Scan 2014. p. 9-11 retrieved 4th May 2014 from http://www.cshisc.com.au/media/264207/2014_EScan.pdf

Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education, Accessed 4^th May 2015 from http://www.innovation.gov.au/HIGHEREDUCATION/HIGHEREDUCATIONSTATISTICS/Pages/default.aspx

My Skills website accessed 4th May. http://www.myskills.gov.au/Statistics/RTOStatisticsSearch/RTOStatisticsSearchResults/RTOStatisticsDetail.aspx?code=90008

Proportion of people aged 15-24 participating in education.
Source(s): Australian Social Trends (cat. no. 4102.0) accessed 4^th May from http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/Lookup/by+Subject/1367.0~2012~Main+Features~Education+Participation+of+Persons+Aged+15-24+Years~2.11

Pearce, J. Mulder, R. Baik, C. (2009). Involving students in peer review. Case studies and practical strategies for university teaching: Centre for the Study of Higher Education, The University of Melbourne.p. 17, p.27. retrieved 4^th May 2014 from http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au

Skills for all Australians - Taking a reform plan to the states and territories retrieved 4^th May from http://www.dpmc.gov.au/publications/skills_for_all_australians/chapter9_taking_a_reform_plan_to_the_states_and_territories.html