VET’s the go for half of Australian school leavers

18 April 2007

New estimates reveal that over 50% of school leavers attend vocational education and
training (VET) soon after leaving school.

This finding, put forward in a recent paper by Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, National
Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), goes against the common perception
that relatively few young people (aged 15-24 years) are participating in VET.

While most agree that apprenticeships provide school leavers with effective pathways
between school and work, and that TAFE provides an effective alternative to university, the
actual level of participation is often understated.

"It appears that a very large proportion of school leavers - both early leavers and Year 12
completers - go on to vocational education and training," says Dr Karmel.

"However, most are unaware of this trend, possibly due to the fact that young people's
pathways are not always straightforward," he says.

VET is clearly providing young people with a viable alternative to university. However, VET is
also providing an alternative to school for a large proportion of early school leavers, with 40%
of male and 30% of female VET students aged 15-24 years not having completed Year 12.

Part-time VET study is the norm for early school leavers, which suggests they are mixing
VET with other activities. They also tend to study low-level qualifications (certificate I and II),
possibly as an entry point into a qualification of more substance.

On the whole, outcomes after training are positive for young people - employment rates
increase and many go on to do further study.

Vocational education and training and young people: Last but not least should be of interest
to policy-makers and those wanting a broad perspective on young people's involvement in
education and training.

ENDS

Vocational education and training and young people: Last but not least has been produced
by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments with
funding provided through the Department of Education, Science and Training. Copies can be
accessed from 9.30am AEST today from http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1736.html

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