Background

The Queensland School Curriculum Council’s role and functions are oriented towards curriculum development in the eight key nationally agreed learning areas and test development in the cross-curricular priority areas of literacy and numeracy.

In 1997, the Council conducted a forum involving representatives of business and industry from Brisbane and a number of other centres in Queensland to address issues of common interest. Participants in the forum responded to a series of key questions. The responses are summarised in Interlink No 6, October 1997, a copy of which is attached.

In 1998, the Council was requested to address the issue of work education during the compulsory years of schooling. A position paper was prepared and endorsed by the Council. The position paper will be used as a means of ensuring that work education is appropriately addressed in all future curriculum and test development activities of the Council. A copy of the position paper is attached.

In the Queensland education system, vocational learning and structured workplace learning are defined in terms similar to those proposed by the MCEETYA Taskforce.