The Morrison Government has extended a partnership with the National Rugby League which is helping raise the profile of the vocational education and training (VET) sector as a career choice for Australians.
This additional $1.1 million investment will extend support for the National Rugby League’s CareerWise VET Pathways program, which launched in 2016, to 2023.
CareerWise provides detailed career advice about VET including promoting the success stories of current and retired NRL players who have achieved great success after their playing days through their VET qualification.
Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert, said the CareerWise program challenges perceptions of the VET sector, raises its status as an education pathway, and highlights the range of career opportunities available with a VET qualification.
‘Thousands of young Australians watch their favourite NRL and Women’s NRL stars on TV and at stadiums around the country every week. Making these sporting heroes synonymous with the success in their careers through a VET qualification is a great way to boost it in the minds of so many kids,’ Minister Robert said.
‘VET is one of the best pathways for getting Australians skilled and into work, and that is why the Government is investing a record $6.4 billion in the sector this year.
‘Right now if you’re VET-skill qualified in Australia you’re as important to our economy as Tom ‘Turbo’ Trbojevic is to Manly’s attack and while we all want to see our team get up in the finals , raising the awareness and status of undertaking a VET qualification is a cause everyone can get behind.’
Parramatta Eels hooker Reed Mahoney, who holds a Cert IV Business, Fitness; Manly Sea Eagles Second-Row Andrew Davey, a Carpenter; and NRLW’s Kody House, a qualified Diesel Mechanic are some of the code’s dedicated VET Ambassadors who will continue to engage with young Australians as part of the CareerWise extension.
‘There are 30 influential NRL Australian VET Alumni who advocate for VET career pathways and share the many ways a person can succeed through VET,’ Minister Robert said.
‘People like Kody, Reed and Andrew are not only champion athletes, but they’re also champion VET Ambassadors through their CareerWise school visits around the country, and through their enormous reach with the NRL’s online presence.
‘The Morrison Government is proud to be extending this partnership as we aim to get more Australians than ever training, skilling and working through VET qualifications.’
The Morrison Government has worked with the NRL to promote VET and Australian Apprenticeships through the Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors Program since 2012, and more recently as Australian VET Alumni members since 2016.
