Description
The author explores the prospect of improving pathways and opportunities for tradespeople in Australia through the introduction of a masters-level qualification. The study investigates the views and opinions of senior industry representatives and professional educators to determine whether the introduction of a master trade or master artisan qualification will lead to greater prospects for tradespeople and an increased esteem for trade vocations within the community.Summary
About the research
Building the research capacity of the vocational education and training (VET) sector is a key concern for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). To assist with this objective, NCVER supports a community of practice scholarship program, whereby VET practitioners without research experience are given the opportunity to undertake their own research to address a workplace problem. Scholarship recipients are supported by a mentor, and NCVER publishes their research results.
Karen O’Reilly-Briggs participated in the 2010 community of practice program. Karen is a metal fabrication, welding and engineering teacher at Swinburne School of Engineering, Technology and Trades. Karen’s research explores the views and opinions of senior industry and education professionals on the introduction of a ‘master’ level program for tradespeople into the Australian curriculum.
The impetus for the research is the assumption that the introduction of a master-level qualification would improve pathways and opportunities for tradespeople in Australia by opening up advanced levels of learning and attainment for the highly experienced. The author argues that formal recognition of experience and expertise will lead to increased esteem for trade vocations, which is important if trades are to improve their standing in the community.
The trade industry representatives and education professionals in the focus groups were generally supportive of the introduction of a master-level qualification.
One question which is beyond the scope of Ms O’Reilly-Briggs’s project is whether there would be sufficient demand for such a qualification to make it viable. While the concept of a master artisan is well established in a number of European countries, it is not one that has ready currency in Australia. The question that needs to be asked is whether employers will pay the premium that would need to be attached to the qualification to make it worth doing — and will providers be brave enough to offer such a qualification?
Tom Karmel
Managing Director, NCVER