A new report, released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) finds that enrolments in Australian training package qualifications present a story of extremes.
Uptake and utility of VET qualifications looks at the uptake of training package qualifications across the vocational education and training (VET) system.
It reveals the majority of enrolments (90%) were concentrated in 20 training packages in 2015, while 10% were spread across the remaining 57 training packages.
Enrolments are also heavily concentrated in relatively few qualifications. In 2015, 85% of enrolments were focused in 200 qualifications, with the rest distributed across 1 444 qualifications. Some 283 qualifications had no enrolments in either 2014 or 2015.
“This distribution is a reflection of student choice, provider offerings and the complexity of present arrangements for establishing and managing training package qualifications”, said Dr Craig Fowler, Managing Director, NCVER.
“The report suggests models to help rationalise and simplify VET qualifications, recognising qualifications must be both contemporary to industry need as well as giving students transferable skills to optimise their job prospects”, said Dr Fowler.
As future data are collected, NCVER will be able to track the number of enrolments in qualifications year on year. This will provide further insights into trends in use of qualifications by students and by industry.
Uptake and utility of VET qualifications is available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2894.html
This work has been produced by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Department of Education and Training.
Media contact:
Rebecca Farrell, T: 08 8230 8418 M: 0407 608 409