The internationalisation of vocational education and training: Review of research

Project title: Internationalisation of VET - Focussing on the provision of VET for overseas people both within their own country and in Australia

This report presents a review and analysis of research on the internationalisation of vocational education and training (VET) and provides an assessment of other research that needs to be conducted in this area.

Globalisation is the integration of economies worldwide through trade, trade agreements, finance, information networks and the movement of people and knowledge between nations. Internationalisation represents those same activities occurring between two or more nation states but does not necessarily involve a whole-world view.

Why should VET internationalise?

Several reasons are identifiable for the internationalisation of VET:

• Already VET institutions have had considerable success in the development of the inbound student market so that in 1997, 27.1 per cent of the 151 000 overseas students in Australia were enrolled in VET programs, and 20.1 per cent in English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) programs.
• VET has also had success in offering offshore training to individuals and enterprises and developing offshore campuses.
• Each State in Australia has developed an international marketing function for VET.
• There are clear commercial opportunities for VET internationally as well as the political benefits resulting from international involvement and engaging with other nations in the development of their VET functions.

Internationalisation is not just about offering services to people of other nations. It is also about ensuring that Australian VET students are given the opportunity to learn and experience cross-national and cross-cultural understanding and skills to enable their effective participation in an increasingly globalised world. Opportunities for students and staff to develop international networks are also important.

Can technology assist?

The use of modern interactive and non-interactive communications technologies to deliver VET services across distances and cultures is attractive and the technologies are increasingly available. There are major considerations associated with:

• the cultural imperialism that can attend the delivery of VET programs designed for one culture into another
• the need to ensure that VET programs available through technology are appropriate in terms of content and presentation
• the importance of providing local learner support techniques to attend technology-delivered programs

Cultural differences

Cultures across the globe vary along a number of identifiable dimensions and, of course, different sets of beliefs and behaviours reside within specific cultures. An understanding of cultural variation is important for effective business and training relationship development. Cultural differences can be interpreted in the framework of one's own culture so that incorrect understanding occurs.

These cultural variations affect the way business is developed and is understood and, equally, affect the different ways in which people learn. Good client-focussed service and training delivery require an understanding of the culture to be worked in and this, in turn, requires prior research. While the development of industry training partnerships overseas appears to be based on much the same considerations as pertain in Australia, special care is necessary at the relationship building stage and in the specification of needs and service requirements. Patience in the development of those relationships is crucial to their success.

Successfully working offshore

Working successfully offshore requires the establishment of relationships, but also requires considerable support from the home institution, and the selection of appropriate personnel. Staff working overseas need responsiveness from home, and clear policies associated with the standard of accommodation, quality and nature of medical assistance and health maintenance, and good communications. Development of appropriately designed training programs and learning materials is an important component of support.

Staff development

The evidence is that staff development requires attention to understanding the particular culture that is to be visited, but also required is training in general cultural awareness. There are many roles played by personnel who support a VET provider's international program. These roles include strategic planning and market intelligence, business development, management, sales and marketing, training design and delivery, instructional design, finance staff and support staff. There are skills required for each of these roles, and each role has staff development requirements. The need for effective staff development is crucial to success. The evidence indicates that staff development is best affected through a range of scheduled programs and activities, experience, mentoring, and work-based learning. Staff development content and delivery for each of the roles requires planning and resource allocation.

Internationalising Australian VET campuses

• Internationalising an institution and its campuses requires a 'whole of institute' approach to ensure that policies, procedures and services are part of the mainstream of activity.
• Clear and institution-wide planning processes are necessary, and attention has to be paid to student services, staff development, and the opportunities that can be given to Australian students of the institution.
• Processes for the enhancement of Australian student opportunity for international understanding and experience are in need of considerably more development.
• Specific requirements relate to internationalisation of curricula, and the availability for meaningful learning in an international environment.
• Student support services such as counselling and library also require careful planning to ensure satisfactory service to overseas students.

Published May 1999 as: Review of Research: Internationalisation of vocational education and training