Graduates have their say on Australia’s training system

Media release

3 December 2015

Australia’s major student survey for rating the government-funded vocational education and training (VET) system shows 74.2% of graduates are employed after training, with those employed full-time earning on average $56 900 per year.

Published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Government–funded student outcomes 2015 presents the results of the annual national Student Outcomes Survey.

Over 65 000 students responded to the survey about employment outcomes, satisfaction with training and further study patterns. The survey identified that for government-funded VET graduates:

  • 58.6% improved their employment status after training
  • 41.2% of those who weren’t employed before training were employed after
  • 85.2% of graduates were employed or enrolled in further study after training
  • 86.7% were satisfied with the overall quality of their training, and 88.7% would recommend their training provider 
  • 75.1% of those employed after training gained at least one job-related benefit from their training.

The survey also highlights that the benefits are particularly high for those who train as part of a trade apprenticeship or traineeship, with 90.6% employed after completion.

Government–funded student outcomes 2015 presents the outcomes of students who completed government-funded VET (activity delivered by government providers and government-funded activity delivered by community education and private training providers) in 2014.

The Student Outcomes Survey is conducted on behalf of the Australian, state and territory governments, with funding provided by the Australian Department of Education and Training.

Copies of Australian vocational education and training statistics: Government-funded student outcomes 2015 are available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2830.html

Media enquiries: Rebecca Farrell, Media and Communications Officer, P 08 8230 8418 or 0407 608 409