On the level: two constructions of VET's identity

Abstract

The popular construction of vocational education and training's identity is institutional: the vet sector is what vet institutions do. This coincides largely with a programmatic construction of vet's identity: the vet sector is identified by a characteristic set of courses or programs. In Australian vocational education and training there is an almost complete intersection of the institutional and programmatic constructions of identity, and this is reinforced by the sector's almost complete organisational separation from higher education. While this is deeply ingrained, it is neither longstanding nor necessary. It is also peculiarly Australian. The paper argues that Australia should follow the North American and UK examples to decouple the institutional and programmatic constructions of vet's identity. This would give vet institutions a broader role, it would greatly improve access to higher education for people distant from a comprehensive higher education campus and it has the potential to improve access to senior higher education institutions.