Closer partnerships between employers and registered training organisations (RTOs) is essential in upskilling Australia’s workforce and addressing skills shortages, according to the latest research released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).
The report Engaging more employers in nationally recognised training to develop their workforce examines the factors in the current VET environment that influence employers’ decisions when choosing training options, particularly nationally recognised training.
Training the workforce is essential for the economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. As this NCVER research highlights, employers want training that is relevant to their skills needs, fits in with their business cycles, is delivered by expert trainers, and is cost effective.
NCVER’s research shows that while employers use a mix of training types, nationally recognised training is seen as the logical fit for initial training for entry into the workforce and for upskilling in critical new technical skills, including those that need to be formally acknowledged or recorded for certification purposes.
Background
The research is based on interviews with a range of peak stakeholder bodies in late 2020 and early 2021 and of employers between March and June 2021. The employers were selected from five industries with comparatively low engagement with the national VET system in 2019: agriculture, retail, transport, warehousing, and information media and telecommunications.
Quotes attributable to Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER
Economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic depends in part on nationally recognised training playing its role in providing skilled workers. The challenge for RTOs is to collaborate more closely with employers to better customise the training so that it meets the employer’s needs.
Download: Engaging more employers in nationally recognised training to develop their workforce
Enquiries: Mariane Umali M: 0406 824 184 E: marianeumali@ncver.edu.au
About NCVER: we are the main provider of research, statistics and data on Australia’s VET sector. Our services help promote better understanding of VET and assist policy makers, practitioners, industry, training providers, and students to make informed decisions.
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment.