Transforming Vocational Education: Introducing TAE Plus

by Andrew Lawlor | Executive Manager – Education Programs

Today, I’m proud to announce a pivotal moment in vocational education and training – one that addresses a critical workforce challenge whilst reimagining how we prepare the educators who will shape Australia’s future.

The Crisis We Can’t Ignore

The numbers tell a sobering story. Almost half of Australia’s VET workforce is over 50 years old, with the average age sitting at 47, six years older than the Australian workforce average. By 2034, we’ll need 3,800 additional VET teachers just to meet baseline demand, and with projected employment growth of 21% by 2033, that need will only intensify.

But here’s the deeper challenge: our fastest-growing sectors – aged care (projected to grow 98%) and tech professionals (up 55%) – desperately need skilled VET educators to train their future workforce. We’re facing a perfect storm where the teachers who train our critical workforce are themselves in severe shortage.

Traditional TAE delivery has focused on compliance and technical competency, but it hasn’t adequately addressed educator burnout, the realities of casualised work, or the holistic development educators need to thrive in an increasingly complex teaching environment. We’re losing talented teachers to better-paid roles in industry and higher education, creating a vicious cycle that threatens our entire skills ecosystem.

A New Vision for Vocational Education

At AFL SportsReady (SportsReady Education RTO 22394), we’ve embarked on a strategic transformation to become more than a traditional training provider. Our new strategic direction centres on creating genuine social impact through innovative program development, evidence-based practice and a commitment to educating the whole learner – not just imparting technical skills.

This vision aligns perfectly with what G.K. Chesterton observed a century ago:

“Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.”

In the age of AI and rapid technological change, what will be truly valued are authenticity, grit, self-care and human thinking. These aren’t nice-to-haves – they’re essential capabilities for educators who must navigate constant change while supporting their learners through the same challenges.

Introducing TAE Plus: A Holistic Approach to Educator Training

Today, we’re launching TAE Plus – the first TAE pathway specifically designed for the next generation of vocational educators and approved under ASQA’s 2025 standards.

TAE Plus represents a fundamental rethinking of how the market wants to study and how people learn best. We’ve assembled the best resources, consulted with industry experts, and built a program that goes beyond traditional compliance-focused training to support the whole teacher – personally and professionally.

Two Flexible Pathways:

1. Holistic Educator Pathway – For those who want comprehensive preparation for teaching excellence without necessarily pursuing full TAE certification immediately
2. TAE Full Certification – TAE40122 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, delivered through our innovative, holistic framework

What Makes TAE Plus Different:

• Optimised Duration – Designed for efficiency whilst maintaining quality, fitting around your existing commitments

• Holistic Support – Specialised coaching that addresses both professional development and personal wellbeing

• Real-World Application – Portfolio-based assessments focused on practical, relevant outcomes

• Resilience-Focused – Built-in strategies to combat the burnout that drives so many educators out of the profession

• Flexible Delivery – Blended learning with structured virtual workshops that work for career shifters and new educators alike

Beyond the General Market: Tailored Solutions

Whilst TAE Plus serves the broader vocational education market, we’re developing specialised offerings for:

• Senior Secondary Schools – Supporting the Victorian VDSS program and school-based vocational pathways
• First Nations Communities – Building on our foundation work towards “Indigenous VET Sovereignty Through the Deadly TAE,” we’re committed to creating Indigenous-led adaptations that honour cultural knowledge and teaching practices
• Industry-Specific Needs – Custom pathways developed in partnership with sectors experiencing critical skills shortages

Join the Conversation

Join us for a FREE webinar: 📅 Thursday, 11 December 2025 🕕 6:00 PM AEDT

Learn how TAE Plus works, explore whether it’s right for your context, and share your insights about what your industry needs from vocational educators.

Register for the webinar here: www.aflsportsready.com.au/tae-plus/

Can’t make the webinar? I’d love to hear from you directly. If you’re thinking about:

• How to train educators for your specific industry
• Developing customised VET pathways for your organisation
• Partnering to address workforce development challenges
• Exploring how TAE Plus might support your team

Email andrew.lawlor@aflsportsready.com.au OR taeplus@aflsportsready.com.au

A New Way to Learn. A New Way to Teach.

The vocational education sector is at a crossroads. We can continue with business as usual and watch the workforce crisis deepen, or we can innovate—rethinking not just what we teach, but how we support the educators who will train Australia’s future workforce.

TAE Plus is our answer to that challenge. It’s built on the conviction that when we support the whole educator—mind, body, and spirit—we create teachers who don’t just survive in the profession, but thrive in it. And when educators thrive, their students thrive. And when students thrive, entire industries and communities benefit.

We need you. Society needs you. Find your place. Make your mark.