ETRF In Education

The Queensland Education and training reforms for the future (ETRF) was a development from the Queensland Government in the later part of 2002, it was built upon the earlier 2002 release of the ‘Green paper’, which aims to develop and implement new forms that assist students pathways and future opportunities in the workforce and in higher education. (Harreveld, 2007) The lack of future employment opportunities and qualifications that the students within Queensland had acquired, required action to address their future, as during the time of the ETRFs release, “At least 10 000 young Queenslanders aged between 15 to 17 years are not in school, not in training and not in any kind of substantial work.” (Queensland Government, 2002) Appropriate
“This will transform the means and ends of teaching and learning in schools – those involved, the way it occurs, and the principles on which the curriculum is constructed. It changes what teachers do from teacher-centred learning and gatekeepers of information to manager of the learning experiences of children” (Mullins, 2012) Significant changes were required within schools to allow for the the new reform outlines, including new senior phase structures. “The additional workload of teachers with significant VET responsibilities; indeed, we found those teachers to be important changes agents in their schools, often lobbying for an alternative vision of post-compulsory education.” (Harreveld, 2007) “VET can restore some hope for young people in education if VET policy and practice takes into account curricular complexity, multiple literacies, disparate contexts and emerging pedagogical demands that tend to be specific and situated” (Singh, 2009) The increase in alternative pathways through school into higher education and the work force now creates more workload for both teachers and schools to be able to
The report on performance: Schooling Annual Report 2003-2004 discusses the impacts of the ETRF reforms around Queensland. For example Mt Isa introduced better student pathways through videoconferencing and also provided access to residential facilities. The Emerald district established The Youth Learning and Support Centre where young people can ‘access learning programs, training, youth support services, information and advice regarding learning, employment pathways and career options’. Mt Morgan established a full service school to provide ‘numeracy and literacy courses, counselling, career guidance and work experience placements’. (Department of Education, 2003-04) Throughout the policy implementation the reform has had substantial impact on Queensland schools around the