Making the Case for Outbound Mobility in the VET Sector

1. Making the Case for Outbound Mobility in the VET Sector

2. What is Outbound Mobility? Usually undertaken during a period of study, where international placement ranges from 2 weeks to a year.

3. Outbound Mobility is crucial to the sustainability of Australia’s inbound student program • “With well over a million international alumni who have studied in Australia and returned home, and more than 450,000 current enrolments across Australia, these ‘people connections’ are vital to the future prosperity of our country – constituting part of what’s known as the ‘global supply chain’ and ensuring that Australia is truly ‘globally connected’ going into the future…. Many benefits flow our way, as our own students study overseas in greater numbers and are exposed to other cultures and education systems. Such exchanges deepen and improve our own education system and I look forward to seeing a real growth in numbers of Australian students taking the opportunity to study overseas.” • The Hon Julia Gillard Deputy Prime Minister AEI Industry Forum 2008

4. VET sector outbound mobility contributes to Australia’s productivity • Australian students graduating with internationally relevant skills and perspectives are required by industries to enable Australia to compete internationally.  • Australian employers indicate that an overseas study experience is becoming more important, helping to build business links with other countries and develop capacity for Australians to be effective global citizens.

5. How does this fit into the BIG picture? Source: Commonwealth Treasury (2010) Intergenerational Report www.treasury.gov.au/igr/igr2010/

6. Outbound Mobility can: • help address skill shortages through improved global skills and knowledge; • ensure that Australia keeps pace with global industry trends and competitiveness; and • help to build human capital and capacity to contribute to productivity gains

7. What does the research say? • “81% of employers believe that graduates who undertake overseas experience return to Australia with enhanced skills that are applicable to the workplace” QETI and IEAA, The attitudes and perceptions of Australian employers towards an overseas study experience, 2006 • Student demand is largely driven by desires to “combine study and travel”, “experience different cultures”“enhance degree and employability” and “language competency” (University of Western Australia Internal Survey 2005) • 94% of participating students thought overseas study/work improved their employability prospects, over half also stated that cost (perceived or real) was the major barrier to their involvement. • (RMIT Internal Survey 2005)

8. The reasons why we don't get involved • Financial constraints • Language barriers • Institutional constraints and limited buy in • Student attitudes/pressures • Industry understanding and support • Partner identification

9. Current Examples from VET

10. What are the benefits for providers • improved international partnerships • more sustainable international student program • well-rounded and internationally aware graduates • profile and marketing advantage in a competitive market place • skills and staff transfer

11. What are the benefits for our students • improved understanding of other cultures and our role in a global economy • improved language skills • independence and innovation • professional work context and employability skills • international trade skills • personal friendships

12. What are the benefits for industry/employers • globally minded and aware labour force • skills and knowledge transfer • possible productivity gains • competitive advantage/employer of choice • increased access to international markets

13. Closing slide • Customise this slide depending on who you are presenting to and what action you want them to take when they leave the briefing