Careers Australia Group entered voluntary receivership after it was refused access to the new VET Student Loan scheme earlier this year.

Australian vocational providers have called for more refinement in proposed changes to the sector’s newly announced government-backed loans scheme.

International collaboration is a key pillar in two long-term strategic plans for higher and vocational education in China, the World Class University initiative and the Action Plan for the Innovative Development of Tertiary Vocational Education, released last month.

India’s largest vocational education provider, AISECT, has partnered with online learning platform, ALISON, in a bid to extend its reach in providing skills-based learning to rural and semi-urban populations.

This year’s Indian National Budget has allocated increased funding for skills training, highlighting a need for both domestic and outside players to help plug India’s upcoming skills gap. There will also be a rollout of India’s visa-on-arrival system.

The governments of New Zealand and China aim to broaden qualification recognition and VET collaborations after signing two agreements that they say will also enhance student mobility between the two countries.

A first-of-its-kind report by the Australian Trade Commission reveals the first six months of the year have seen an 11.5% increase on January to June 2013, with green shoots being seen in the ailing VET sector and notable growth from most source markets.

China has recently released a six-year Modern Vocational Education Development Strategy in a bid to raise the profile of vocational education and fill skills gaps in a job market. The shift in focus to vocational education translates into collaborative opportunities with international educators and industry.