Research

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Research

Outcomes from higher-level vocational education and training qualifications

This report investigates outcomes from diploma and advanced diploma courses undertaken in vocational education and training (VET). The particular focus of the research was whether diplomas and advanced diplomas lead to employment at levels of associate professional or above and also whether these qualifications are a viable pathway to university-level studies.

There are three main groups of students undertaking these courses. Firstly, there are young students (15-24 years) with Year 12 qualifications either seeking employment or anticipating going on to university. The second group comprises those students aged 25 and over undertaking the course for employment-related reasons, such as increased wages or promotion. The final group comprises those aged 25 and over who have not completed school and who are 'catching up' on qualifications.

These courses offer positive employment outcomes to many of the graduates from the courses. However, many are employed at an occupational level below that of associate professional. Twenty-seven per cent of employed young graduates were employed as associate professionals or higher, although this increases to about half within 30 months after the course. By comparison, 56% of graduates aged 25 and over were employed as associate professionals or higher. About a quarter of all graduates were employed in intermediate service and clerical occupations. ¹

There are variations in employment outcomes by field of education. Graduates in architecture and building, and health have the best employment outcomes overall, while those in information technology and creative arts do not fare as well. In human welfare studies, about 40% of graduates claimed increased earnings as a benefit of the course.

Thirty-two per cent of young graduates and 14% of graduates aged 25 years and over went on to university-level study. In some minor fields, such as accountancy, and banking and finance, over half of the graduates aged 15 to 24 went on to university-level study.

¹Information obtained from NCVER's Student Outcomes Survey, 2003.

Outcomes from higher-level vocational education and training qualifications