Qualifications of a higher kind

Higher-level VET qualifications include certificate IV, diploma and advanced diploma and the vocational graduate diploma. Their value to employers is the subject of a new report by NCVER.

The research, which yielded some interesting and perhaps unexpected findings, looked at six sectors—disability services, nursing, engineering, electronics and electrotechnology, multimedia and design.

The value and use of the qualifications were largely a function of the particular sector. In sectors where qualifications were mandated (for example, in disability services and nursing), there was a clear expectation that employees would hold these qualifications.

On the other hand, employers in the two engineering fields valued relevant qualifications and workplace experience. Typically they preferred university graduates or higher-level skills gained from a trade background, and augmented by workplace experience.

The significant issue for these employers was experience, and students undertaking higher-level VET and looking for associate professional jobs were disadvantaged compared with existing workers and university graduates.

But it was a somewhat different story in the creative industries of multimedia and design.

For these employers, the applicant’s portfolio—demonstrating creative talent—was the clincher. Furthermore, where qualifications were required, the majority of employers interviewed preferred university to VET graduates.

Course developers will need to work hard to make sure that the course graduates are attractive to employers. Perhaps greater use of work placements would assist.

Higher-level vocational education and training qualifications: Their importance in today's training market is available at
www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1800.html