Data from the latest Jobs and Skills Report shows that the benefits of completing a vocational education and training (VET) qualification are growing, with graduates now seeing $14,100 more in median income compared to pre-training. In addition, 88% of VET graduates are employed post-qualification, compared to 72% pre-training.
Released annually by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) to provide a detailed look at our current and future workforce landscape, the report makes clear that Australia’s future prosperity relies on strong connections between our tertiary education system and the needs of the labour market.
“Understanding how well the system is delivering the skills needed for students to succeed post-training, along with other social and structural factors such as those limiting participation in the workforce, represents a huge economic opportunity,” said Professor Barney Glover, JSA Commissioner.
“This plays out the same across different cohorts whether we’re talking First Nations people, young people, people with disability—we want to see Australian employers leaning into this untapped potential for their own benefit.
“Australia’s labour market is experiencing tremendous upheaval as we continue to transition to a service economy and external forces like artificial intelligence impact the way we live, work and learn.
“While we’re seeing more evidence of augmentation than automation as a result of the introduction of artificial intelligence, it represents both a great opportunity and challenge for the next generation Australian workforce.”
Professor Glover kicks off a national roadshow at Australia Parliament House in Canberra today with visits to every capital city, a regional event in Coffs Harbour and an online webinar.
The roadshow is an opportunity for members of the public to directly engage with Jobs and Skills Australia and learn about the vital role our national skills system plays in securing our future.
If you can’t attend in person, sign up for our online webinar to hear from JSA Ministerial Advisory Board Chair Cath Bowtell and members El Gibbs and Professor Jack Beetson.
Details on how to register for the JSA roadshow are available on the JSA website.
The full Jobs and Skills Report is available here.
Media contact: media@jobsandskills.gov.au
