Vocational Education and Industry Training in Australia

Australia is at a watershed in her economic history. The prosperity characteristic of the post‐war era has vanished. In 1994 the Australian economy is just beginning to emerge from a recession which has been likened by many commentators to the Great Depression. Australia is caught in midstream with a poorly structured manufacturing sector, high levels of long‐term unemployment and external debt. Pressures on the manufacturing sector are evidenced by the impact of the Button Plan on automotive manufacturing as well as the footwear, clothing and textiles sector. Manufacturing does not appear to be viable without massive restructuring. Industry training and the development of a new workplace culture are seen as integral to this task. Highlights aspects of Australia′s post‐war economic history and the changing character of the labour market. Advocates a movement away from traditional forms of work organization and narrowly defined occupational classifications. Proposes that educators and training professionals must develop and apply a training philosophy, focused on developing a workforce with a sound basic education together with more broadly based and flexible work skills.