Eyes Wide Open--Vocational Education & Training in the Information Age. A Supporting Paper to Australia's National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, 1998-2003.

This paper has been written as a supporting paper to "A Bridge to the Future: Australia's National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1998-2003" (ED 420 764). Technology has an impact on industry in terms of the work done, how it is done, and how individuals live and do business. Globalization means that business--and the business of education--is conducted on a world stage. Workers must be skilled in technology to get jobs and do them effectively and competitively. Reforms in the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system provide components for providers to respond effectively to demand for customized products. Training Packages and the Australian Recognition Framework provide the elements for training programs that can be tailored to meet clients' needs. "Buyers" can be sure that training programs and products developed by registered training organizations from Training Packages are consistent, of high quality, and customizable to meet specific needs. Under the National Training Framework, "purchasers" of VET products can expect the same quality approach, industry-set competency standards, links to qualifications, and rigorous assessment. The practical impact on individuals is better access to information, access to more modern equipment and technologies, and more providers to choose from. The government's Networking the Nation initiative provides funding for rural and remote communities to identify communication needs and development and implement projects that meet them. Government leadership is needed in the critical areas of infrastructure, standards and product development, professional development, and change management. (Contains 22 endnotes) (YLB)