Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(9)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

If my project turns out meaningful and inevitable to enhance the quality of vocational education in Korea, there will be huge media coverage on my project, myself and the AKF. As a former journalist, I'll make the best use of my network on the media sector. 

The number of Korean vocational high schools, parents and students, related institutions and even government officials visiting Australia to learn how to efficiently improve vocational education system will be significantly increasing.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(8)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

Among the colorful merits, what I want to research most is TAFEs' industry-school collaboration model. One excellent example is Kangan Institute of TAFE's cooperative relationship with nearby automobile industries like GM and Toyota in Melbourne. 

This productive and realistic approach to vocational education has been widely known to increase Australia's clout in the global society. Needless to say, it will mean a lot to the Korean vocational education system and related parties.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(7)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

They warn that if the outdated vocational education system in Korea keeps failing to comply with the voices of the real world, national competitiveness will be shrinking as well. The reason why my e-book, 'Should Go to a College?' was published last year is in close line with this serious message. 

Now my eyes are on the advanced vocational training system in Australia. Represented by TAFEs, Australia has been providing well-established vocational education service to students. It is no wonder that Australia is often cited to have one of the best vocational education systems in the world. 

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(6)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea 

As a consequence, vocational training at the high school or higher education level hasn't been properly developed. Rather, vocational education schools have been regarded as places for less smart students and thus haven't provided timely and practical training to meet industries' ever-changing need. 

However, time is shifting rapidly. The corporate sector as a whole is strongly asking industry-oriented vocational education.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(5)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

In Korea, as many as 70~80% high school graduates advance to colleges or universities for their higher education. Many of them just sticks to colleges regardless of their dreams or aptitude. It is mainly because they have not been welcomed and respected by others without a bachelor's degree. 

Partly originated from the Confucian culture, a college degree has guaranteed job security and decent income in the Korean society. That's why most parents push their kids to go to a college even though their sons and daughters aren't interested in an academic career.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(4)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

Then Australian engagement with Korea will become more lively and mutual relationship between the two countries will surely go further. 

In that education is an inevitable element of any society, this project will bridge those Koreans not familiar with the leading vocational education system to Australia even in the social and cultural context. In this regard, I have no doubt that my project will best serve the goals of the AKF.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(3)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

Vocational training at the secondary and higher education level in Korea has stayed less estimated for a long time. It has a long way to go in both hardware and software aspects. If my research contributes to awaken the Korean society of the significance of up-to-date vocational education and come up with actual changes, I'll be happily taking any troubles to complete this project. 

By introducing the sophisticated vocational education model of TAFE, public awareness of Australia in Korea will be expected to be higher.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(2)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

Then I will catch strengths of the system and deliver essential implications to the Korean vocational education sector, which falls way behind the Korea's recent economic competitiveness in the global market. 

Active visits to schools(named below) and industries with cooperation, in-depth observation of classes, detailed interviews with experts of schools and governmental bodies along with local students will be key activities of my project.

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea(1)

Industry-school collaboration model of TAFE's vocational education in Australia and its implication to Korea

Australia has been acclaimed as one of the best providers of high quality vocational training at the secondary and higher education level. TAFE(Technical and Further Education) has been at the center of such advanced vocational education system in Australia. 

What distinguishes TAFEs most is that TAFEs have established solid cooperative relationship with industries over decades. Through this project, I sincerely hope to see the systematic vocational training on the spot and learn lessons from the industry-school collaboration model.

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(11)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

Worries are prevailing that South Korea is way behind not only the running Japan but also the flying China. Other major players including Australia, America and the North Europe don't sit idle as well. 

Prediction is that the ASEAN may play a crucial role of the last resort to save South Korea suffering from chronic weak growth. Needless to say, systematic and long-term approach is desperately needed in the unprecedented era of the AEC.

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(10)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

South Korean business people navigating new growth chances have unanimously pointed out that Japanese business presence is dominant in the region. Moreover, China is speeding up recently by utilizing its extensive networks across the region. 

China has maintained robust retail and wholesale channels in most part of the ASEAN since around the 16~17th century when the Western forces first embarked on their rush to Southeast Asia. Unlike competitors heading forward, South Korea is often regarded encountered with shabby circumstance. 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(9)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

In doing so, physical barriers will be torn down and regional exchanges and trades will be fairly accelerated. This will also gear up the possibility of the realization of the AEC overcoming the concern that the AEC blueprint 2025 may remain a mere declaratory gesture. 

As a matter of fact, a global war without guns has been underway to attract the ASEAN actively stretching itself to the world. For instance, Japan has been striving to enhance its clout on the AEC by devoting itself to investment on the infrastructure and key industries.

 

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea(8)

The establishment of the AEC and its implication for South Korea

A local expert in Indonesia pictures potential changes in the region that the AEC may bring in the upcoming days. "People in Vietnam will start to learn the Thai language to drive taxies in Bangkok. There will be Laotians who will pick up Javanese text books to become cab drivers in Jakarta." 

Actually, Singapore has been importing housekeepers from its neighbors, Indonesia and the Philippines in particular. However, it will be highly likely that more human resources in various fields of the region will cross the borders of the ASEAN members with no limitation.