The benefits of studying a vocational education and training (VET) qualification are strong and getting stronger, according to a new report from Jobs and Skills Australia.
Students who completed a nationally recognised VET qualification in 2020-21 were found by the report to have achieved higher incomes, experienced better employment rates and were much less likely to continue accessing income support payments.
While outcomes are best when a student completes their course, the report also found that students who partially complete a VET qualification also benefit, with a lift in their employment outcomes underlining the transformative effect education can have.
The VET graduates included in the report recorded an average pay bump of $14,100 post-study - a jump from the previous cohort's increase of $11,800.
The strong results continue across key priority cohorts with First Nations graduates experiencing a median rate of income uplift higher than the national average at $15,700 post study.
There are solid improvements in trimming the gaps in income and employment outcomes for other priority cohorts including women, people with disability and CALD graduates.
This release marks the third year Jobs and Skills Australia have tracked the outcomes of graduates from Australia's VET institutions to better understand the pivotal role education plays in their development.
The report Pathways to economic mobility and improved equity: Unlocking enhanced VET analysis through the VET National Data Asset (VNDA) is available now on the JSA website.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles:
"These are fantastic results that confirm that the Albanese Government's investments in TAFE and training are an important investment in Australians and their future - because VET graduates are getting exceptional gains from their qualifications.
"Especially for young graduates, VET is often a step to further learning with almost a third of graduates returning in the next year to continue their studies.
"As the workforce changes, a strong VET sector provides pathways for learning, up-skilling and re-training to support Australians into their future jobs - and that's why our Government will always back Australians to get the skills they want for the jobs we need."
