The latest data from Australia’s largest survey of vocational education and training (VET) students show employment outcomes improved in 2021.
Over 231 000 students who undertook nationally recognised training in 2020 completed the survey, which was run in mid-2021.
Results from the survey show higher proportions of students who undertook training in qualifications, short courses, and individual subjects had an improved employment status after training in 2021 than in 2020.
Of those students who completed a qualification, 60.6% had an improved employment outcome after training. While this is significantly higher than in 2020 (up from 56.0%), it is down from the 65.8% recorded in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Among qualification completers employed before training, 16.5% were employed in a higher skilled job after training and 38.8% had a better job after training. Whereas for those not employed before training, 43.3% were employed after training, up from 36.2% in 2020.
The survey also revealed the impact the COVID-19 pandemic had on students’ learning, finding that over half of qualification completers had their training shift to online learning in 2020. This presented challenges for many, with 46.3% of those affected facing at least one challenge with the transition to online learning. Lack of face-to-face interaction with both trainers and peers were the two challenges most cited.
Background
VET student outcomes 2021 provides a summary of the outcomes of students who completed nationally recognised VET delivered by registered training organisations in Australia during 2020 using data collected in mid-2021. The figures are derived from the National Students Outcome Survey, which collects information on VET students’ reasons for training, employment and further study outcomes and satisfaction with training.
View Publication: VET student outcomes 2021
Related products and resources:
- VET student outcomes 2021 DataBuilder
- Government-funded student outcomes 2021 DataBuilder (new product)
- VET student outcomes 2021: excel tables
- Supporting information including: explanatory notes, questionnaire, technical notes (available on the publication page)
To find out more about what information the survey collects and to view data from previous years, visit the NCVER portal.
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.