I wrote a post the other day on the stupidity of the future voucher system and it is only fair that I put up an alternative rather than just being a whinger. Here is my plan and importantly this removes the education cash bonus and probably other schemes that I am not aware of.
1. Provide a voucher to every Australian which allows them to do any accredited VET program from Certificate I to Diploma level each year. It does not matter if the person has a PHD. If they want to do a Diploma in Digital Media then they can. We all pay taxes and are entitled to training and development and hence the voucher will be provided to each and every person regardless of income.
2. Qualifications that have been identified by the Federal Government as being in demand will require nothing but the voucher ie the voucher covers the full cost of one year of the program. Other qualifications that may not be in demand may incur additional charges that are managed by the individual registered training organisation. Competition will ensure that they do not over charge.
3. If the Australian is currently in the school education system they can use the voucher to purchase school based equipment from a list of preferred suppliers up to $800. This could be a tablet computer etc
4. If the voucher is not used in the calendar year it is cancelled. They do not accrue.
5. If a person drops out of a program before the half way mark of the program the voucher is cancelled and the registered training organisation does not receive the money.
That’s it. Simple isn’t it and it would work. Many, millions in fact will not enrol or attend any programs regardless of the system but those who want to learn have the option to do so.
What do you think?
If anyone has Julia’s number or the education ministers then I am happy to talk to them.
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