Issues affecting skill demand and supply in Australia's education and training sector: At a glance

Key issues

• The demand for skills has been influenced in recent years by the growth in part-time and casual employment.
• Labour market changes have been accompanied by increased demand for higher level skills.
• The level of educational attainment influences the likelihood of gaining employment and associated earnings.
• Completing senior secondary school or acquiring a basic vocational qualification is no longer adequate preparation for lifetime employment.
• Completing post-secondary education and training qualifications generally delivers good employment outcomes.
• Despite high school retention rates, growth across post-compulsory education and training sectors differs.Vocational education and training participation levels have risen steadily in recent years.
• Future growth in students in post-secondary education and training will become increasingly reliant on older people commencing or returning to some form of education and training due to Australia's ageing population.
• Australia has relatively high levels of post-secondary education participation compared with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development average, especially amongst older people.