As we learn to live with COVID-19, Australian businesses are looking at training their workforce to support financial recovery and post-pandemic growth.
The new research Upskilling and reskilling: the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on employers and their training choices released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reports on how Australian employers have been affected by the pandemic and their current and future training requirements.
The lockdowns and restrictions imposed from 2020 to mid-2021 to curb the spread of COVID-19 affected Australian business profoundly. Aside from experiencing economic disruptions, businesses had to change their operational activities and the way they provided their products and services to cope with the decrease in demand and survive financially.
Developing digital skills is a key training need highlighted by the research. The increase in social restrictions, online shopping and more staff working from home have forced businesses to digitise their operations, with around a third adopting new technology. Other key training areas identified were on how to operate safely in the COVID-19 environment, health and safety, and infection control.
The research found that in the next 12 months, nearly a third of employers are expecting to increase the amount of training they provide to their staff. They are looking for training to support the planned expansion of their businesses, to upskill current employees, and to adapt to changes in the workplace brought by COVID-19.
For the VET sector to meet these and other longstanding training needs, programs that enable employers to operate in a COVID-19 safe way, support adoption and use of new digital technologies, and allow the optimum delivery of blended training (online and face-to-face) will be critical.
Background
NCVER is undertaking a series of research projects to evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This research used findings from the Employers' use and views of the VET system 2021 which surveyed 5,615 employers between February and June 2021, along with other complementary sources.
Quotes attributable to Simon Walker, Managing Director, NCVER
During the COVID-19 pandemic, both employers and training organisations have been able to adapt and innovate in training the workforce. But as Australia recovers from the pandemic, there is an emerging skills gap created by the rapid digitalisation in the way that businesses deliver their products and services.
The VET sector’s ability to meet this and other long-standing training needs will play a key role in determining Australian employers’ competitiveness in a post-pandemic world.
Related research:
- What VET can offer to COVID-19 youth unemployment recovery
- VET student outcomes 2020: impact of COVID-19 on domestic students
- The impact of COVID-19 on industry innovation, skills and the need for training
- The online delivery of VET during COVID-19: part 1
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.