Today's release of a report on Government-funded vocational training by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) showing a further decline in investment, reinforces the urgency of action to prioritise reform of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector, Australia's largest and most representative business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI), said today
"The NCVER report reflects the importance for all Governments - Federal, State, and Territory – to focus attention on Vocational Education and Training (VET)," Australian Chamber CEO, James Pearson, said today.
"In 2018, 1.1 million students were enrolled in government-funded VET, a decrease of 1.9% compared to 2017. Student enrolments also decreased by 5.7% during the same period, reflecting a drop in both Federal, State and Territory government funding commitment for VET. This underlines the urgency of VET reform.
"Prime Minister Morrison is a champion of skills reform, and we welcome the efforts of the Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business, Senator Michaelia Cash, to promote vocational training around the country as an equal option to higher education for school leavers.
"The announcements in the Federal Budget to implement a National Skills Commission and provide extra funding to apprenticeships, along with other measures, will help to shift the dial.
"The medium to long term objective, to raise VET government funding and deliver high-quality outcomes can only be achieved through all Governments working cooperatively through COAG, and with industry, to achieve genuine reform and funding growth.
"Business and government need to work together with schools, career advisers and training providers to encourage students to choose VET as a career pathway.
"As a community, we owe our young people, as well as those retraining later in life for new jobs, the best chances and choices for the best careers."
The Australian Chamber is Australia's largest network of employers, speaking for over 300,000 businesses employing millions of Australians in every sector of the economy, in every corner of Australia. Our Small Business is a Big Deal campaign gives voice to what small businesses need from the federal government, and our Getting on with Business recommends ways to make Australia the best place in the world to do business, so that Australians have the jobs, living standards and opportunities to which they aspire.
