Thoughts on Vocational Education(8)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

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. 

If my project is accepted and valued in an extensive way, movement to adopt parts of the outputs into real governmental policies for better vocational education in Korea is expected.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(7)

Vocational Education in South Korea and 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. 

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.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(6)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

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. They warn that if the outdated vocational education system in Korea keeps failing to comply with the voices of the real world, national competitiveness will be shrinking as well.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.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(5)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

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. As a consequence, vocational training at the high school or higher education level hasn't been properly developed.

Thoughts on Vocational Education(4)

Vocational Education in South Korea and Australia

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