In today’s discussion, we’re opening up the complex and often misunderstood world of the business of vocational education, and the ominous signs and trends that can’t be ignored if the sector wants to continue to stay relevant and important in coming decades.
This isn’t a hit piece on the sector or even on individual business owners trying to make a buck from educating others. Quite the contrary. I wanted to explore my own history in the sector, and that of others I know or have worked with, and how we’ve all dealt with the changes to date, and what risks and likely outcomes await us. In doing so, I hope to arrive at a few truths that can help you to pick the good opportunities from the bad and make decisions about your own future in the sector with your eyes wide open to the influences that have direct and indirect impacts.
The global AI arms race is already being played out with even the early inventors of the technology collectively warning against the potential uncontrollable outcome with few upsides for individuals. But play out it will, and sideline observers we will become.
I have mentioned in the past that there may be a point where those undertaking an education say enough is enough, and push back on the automation of everything to once again re-introduce real human interactions and feedback from experienced trainers and facilitators. We’re still a while away from that point in my opinion. Largely due, ironically, in the government’s slow reaction to providing legislative regulation to the tech industry. And also the generational influence of current trainers and assessors in the sector of whom there are a majority of generation X and millennials making up this cohort – thus still not what we’d readily classify as digital natives.
It's indeed an exciting and terrifying time to be a vocational educator. Digital literacy is no longer a nice to have, and political muteness isn’t an option if you want the sector to be unbiased, fair and level. Find your voice, decide on your personal learning journey, and let’s all see where it takes us. Because trends don’t determine the future. Our actions are what determines that.
