Cross-sectoral policy, research and practice: where to next for University and TAFE collaboration?

This paper will explore new learning and credential-building practices being shaped as part of national and global cross-sectoral reforms. While harnessing the talent and skills of people in a way that advantages themselves, their community and the nation is a complex and difficult task, the history so far of TAFE-University institutions/partnerships appears to suggest that they are well-suited to these reforms. The premise has been that multi-sector partnerships represent an opportunity for people to move through education and training with fewer constraints, at a faster pace, and with reduced costs. However, policies and mechanisms to drive these initiatives have not always been compatible with existing practices. This is especially so around qualification frameworks, assessment practices and human resource management. While qualifications policy is pushing further and higher education together, broader policies related to the resourcing of education may be forcing TAFE and University collaboration apart. In this paper we consider why and how there has been increasing cross-sectoral cooperation and the potential effects this may have on the future qualifications frameworks and local practices.