Have VET reforms resulted in improvements in quality? Illustrations from the alcohol and other drugs sector

Australian vocational education and training (VET) has undergone major reforms since the 1990s, including the introduction of competency based training (CBT) and the 'streamlining' of qualifications. This paper examines the impact of these reforms, using the alcohol and other drugs sector as a case illustration. A survey of alcohol and other drugs training providers was conducted to explore their views on course quality, content and delivery. Descriptive quantitative and qualitative analyses were undertaken to identify the impact of reforms on training delivery. It was found that CBT and streamlining, whilst having some benefits, were perceived to contribute to inconsistent course quality, content, delivery and assessment, and to result in generic qualifications which may not adequately meet industry need for specialist workers. Findings highlight the impact of VET reforms on industry specific training, and indicate that recent reforms have not fully succeeded in increasing training quality. Recommendations for improvement are identified.