Is VET vocational? The relevance of training to the occupations of vocational education and training graduates
Authors:
Tom Karmel, Peter Mlotkowski, Tomi Awodeyi
Publication date: 
29 July 2008
Type:
Research report
Themes:
Students and individuals > Careers and pathways > Pathways to work
Students and individuals > Student achievements and outcomes > Career outcomes
ISBN:
978 1 921412 46 2
This paper explores the issue of how vocational education and training (VET) is actually used in the labour market, in particular the match between what people study and the jobs they get. This match is pretty poor in most occupational groups with the exception of the trades. However, the paper concludes that the mismatch reflects the generic nature of VET rather than wastage. This view is reached because a relatively high percentage of graduates report their training is relevant even though they do not end up in their intended occupation.