This article provides some interesting insights into the growth in various parts of the tertiary sector in a number of countries.  The publisher, Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung (BIBB), argues that perhaps the growth in this educational sector is drifting in a vocationally oriented direction.

Australia’s system is reviewed, with a particular emphasis on Associate Degrees.  It discusses the purposes of dual sector institutions and TAFEs engaging in the higher education sector.  The Associate Degrees are described as ‘hybrid qualifications’.  I found it interesting that there was no reference to degrees being offered in these organisations in Australia.

Any comments on this article might begin an interesting conversation, especially in light of the applied research efforts underway in our VET sector at present.

https://www.bibb.de/dokumente/pdf/bwp-2014-h4-27ff.pdf