Employment in occupations with a vocational education and training (VET) pathway has surged over the past five years, including roles such as aged and disabled carers, electricians, plumbers and carpenters.
Jobs with VET pathways that showed strong employment growth over the five years to May 2023 according to the new Australian Jobs 2023 report included:
- Aged and Disabled Carers, with 67.4 per cent growth
- Nursery person (52.3 per cent)
- Building and Engineering Technicians (31 per cent)
- Chefs (19.8 per cent)
- Electricians (17.4 per cent)
- Plumbers (10.3 per cent)
- Carpenters and Joiners (8.3 per cent).
Construction was Australia’s fastest growing employment sector with a VET pathway over the 12 months to May 2023, with 9.3 per cent growth followed by:
- Arts and Recreation Services (7 per cent)
- Health Care and Social Assistance (5.9 per cent)
- Manufacturing (5.6 per cent).
This surge in careers with VET pathways comes as the Albanese Government commits $414 million to provide a further 300,000 Fee-Free places from January 2024.
The program has been an enormous success so far, with more than 214,000 students enrolling in Fee-Free TAFE in the first six months of 2023.
The Albanese Government’s $12.6 billion investment in the landmark National Skills Agreement with states and territories will further boost investment in the VET system over the next five years.
Australian Jobs 2023, produced by the National Careers Institute and Jobs and Skills Australia, provides tips for job seekers, employment services providers and people considering further training.
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Skills and Training Brendan O’Connor:
“I want to ensure we have the skilled workers our economy needs, while also giving every Australian the best opportunity to secure a stable, well-paid job.”
“VET is becoming an increasingly attractive career pathway. It is estimated that nine of out 10 new jobs in the next decade will require a post-secondary school education, with four of those requiring VET qualifications.”
“Thanks to Fee-Free TAFE and our landmark National Skills Agreement, there has never been a better time to be part of the VET sector, whether you are a student, mentor, teacher or assessor.”
“Eliminating fees for priority cohorts is making a huge difference in people’s ability to access quality training, and not be under added financial stress.”
