Page 23 - IB April 2021

Education

APTC students. Janelle Chapman (bottom right hand corner). Photos: APTC
TRAINING COALITION FACES A

RECKONING

By Samantha Magick Queensland International Education (TQIE), a company limited
by shares that was established in July 2017. TAFE Queensland’s
A multimillion dollar program aimed at supporting “a more 2019-20 annual report states that TQIE’s primary source of
prosperous Pacific driven by a skilled, competitive and pro- revenue is from the APTC contract. In 2019-20 TQIE recognised
ductive workforce” is undergoing controversial changes which revenues totalling A$5.91 million (US$4.57 million).
could have significant impacts on the future of vocational
training in the Pacific Islands region. COVID response
The new leadership at the Australia Pacific Training Coali- APTC is now in its third stage, which runs until 2026. The
tion (APTC) says it’s a necessary response to the challenges design document for this stage—which was written before the
posed by the coronavirus pandemic and its economic impacts. coronavirus outbreak— states that it will take an “increasingly
But there’s concern amongst some stakeholders that the catalytic role. It will evolve from an Australian college directly
process has been opaque, as it is based on a strategic review delivering Australian qualifications to an enabling organisation
and rapid assessment that few people have seen, and that that assists Pacific partners to provide their own internation-
it marks a shift away from meaningful Pacific Island nation ally recognised training and achieve quality improvements in
input into the Coalition’s work. their institutions and systems. It will forge enduring pathways
APTC was established in 2007 as the Australia-Pacific Tech- between skills development and employment in both national
nical College, and began work a year later. Over that period, and international labour markets.”
the Australian government has invested more than A$350 The document continues: “A transformed APTC, with a
million (US$271 million) in the effort. Corporate materials primarily national workforce working in politically smart ways,
state that it has supported 16,000 graduates across 14 Pacific will be agile, responsive and entrepreneurial. It will build
countries, working with TVET (Technical and Vocational coalitions with likeminded reform champions including peak
Educational and Training) institutions in Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, industry bodies, the private sector and training institutions to
Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu, advance locally led TVET reform. It will foster greater coordi-
and Vanuatu, and offering Australian-recognised qualifications nation, collaboration and harmonisation of Australian support.
and other training. It has since transitioned to become the By 2028, the APTC will be recognised regionally and globally
Australia Pacific Training Coalition. as a leading force in skills creation carefully linked to skills
APTC is managed by TAFE Queensland, specifically TAFE mobility and as a highly successful example of sustainable

Islands Business, April 2021 23