The latest report ‘VET Student Outcomes 2018-19 – Top 100 Courses’, released on 16 November 2023, marks a significant step in understanding how vocational education and training (VET) shapes Australia's economic, employment, and social landscapes. This collaborative effort between the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), and the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) introduces the VET National Data Asset (VNDA). As the VNDA continues to evolve, its insights will inform policy decisions, amplifying the impact and relevance of vocational education in Australia.
Key findings from the report showcase the transformative impact of VET on individuals and the broader community. It reveals that 82.7% of VET graduates secured employment in the year following their training. Notably, women experienced a significant 15.2 percentage point increase in employment rates, surpassing the national average of 12.4 percentage points. Moreover, completing a VET course resulted in a median income uplift of over $10,000 for graduates, with considerable financial improvements observed among First Nations cohorts. The clean energy sector emerged as a beacon of opportunity, displaying the highest employment levels and income increments post-training.
It was also stated that courses like the Diploma of Early Childhood Education and Care, Diploma of Beauty Therapy, and Diploma of Community Services exhibit lower rates of continued study in both vocational education and higher education. Nevertheless, foundation skills courses like Certificate I and II in Spoken and Written English acted as crucial springboards, with 61% of students progressing to further VET studies. Furthermore, 15.7% of VET graduates pursued additional VET education, while 6.7% enrolled in higher education programs, signifying a culture of lifelong learning.
Stay informed on how VET transforms lives, bridging employment gaps, and nurturing a future-ready workforce. For more information on VET and workforce opportunities, please reach out to us via admin@isacnt.org.au or phone on 08 7913 7500.
ISACNT serves as a crucial link between industry, government, stakeholders, and the national VET system. Therefore, ISACNT supports training product development through local engagement, providing quality representation for Northern Territory industries. We provide advice and gather intelligence on training package development, workforce development, skill shortages and solutions in the Northern Territory (NT). Furthermore, we promote and support a quality VET system and raise awareness of available qualifications and skilling/upskilling opportunities in the NT to address workforce and skills needs.