Neoliberal economic markets in vocational education and training: shifts in perceptions and practices in private vocational education and training in Melbourne, Australia

Abstract

This article argues that the adoption of the competitive Vocational Education and Training (VET) markets in Australia resulted in shifts in institutional perceptions and practices. Using situated experiences and perspectives from quality assurance auditors, training managers, international students and VET teachers from seven commercial for-profit private VET institutions in Melbourne, Australia, the article suggests that there are emerging patterns of institutionalised market-based relationships, which can have long-term implications for pedagogy, learning and international students' outcomes in VET.

Keywords:

• globalisation
• neoliberalism
• competitive training markets
• international students
• VET
• private VET providers
• pedagogy
• learning

Notes

1. Refers to non-citizen/non-resident Australian and New Zealander students – a distinction based on nationality and immigration status (Morrison, Merrick, Higgs, and Le M'etias 2005). The terms ‘overseas students and international students' will be used interchangeably in this study.