Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) sector has shown resilience in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Latest research Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on VET, released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), shows that training providers modified their operations to ensure student safety, wellbeing and engagement during the pandemic.
The pandemic had a significant impact on the VET sector, affecting mandated work placements, student enrolments and completions, as well as staff wellbeing and retention. Disadvantaged students and those living in high-infection regions were the groups most affected.
Training providers considered the individual needs of students and responded by using a combination of online and in-person teaching, introducing better hygiene protocols, providing flexible work options, and offering mental health and wellbeing programs.
“The pandemic led to training providers substantially reorganising their business processes and these changes will be long-lasting, including the shift to blended learning ," said NCVER Managing Director, Simon Walker.
The pandemic has also had an impact on the income and financial viability of training providers. While there was some improvement in late 2020 and early 2021, many providers reported the situation was still challenging. This highlights the sector’s continual need for adaptation and resilience.
Background:
This report explores the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on various aspects of VET and examines how the sector has responded in a rapidly changing and uncertain environment.
Qualitative methods in the form of semi-structured interviews with peak bodies and training providers supplemented the quantitative data analysis.
Download the report: Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on VET
Enquiries: Deanne Loan M: 0413 523 691 E: deanneloan@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 Employment and Workplace Relations.