Equity in VET: Participation, Achievement and Transitions Lori Hocking Chief Executive Officer (CEO) VETnetwork Australia

VETnetwork Australia is professional association with a membership base largely consisting of VET teachers and trainers in Schools. Membership base is approximately 1500 members. The needs of members determines our work including: - hosting professional learning - specific VET training (for both members and non members) - research and advocacy - program delivery and - design and publication of resources.

Evolution of VETiS Project This project involves the comparison of case studies undertaken in the period on VETiS programs operational across Australia. The case studies, at the time, highlighted new and innovative approaches to education built around VET. 16 schools (across Australia) have agreed to participate in a follow up study to be undertaken by VETnetwork Australia with the support of NCVER.

Evolution of VETiS Project This a contemporary review of these school-based VET programs against a set of agreed criteria including: Student participation then and now The range of VET programs on offer Employment and training outcomes School leadership Staff training and professional development Funding support including sources and amounts Impact of state and federal government policy and initiatives Impact on school culture Sustainability.

Evolution of VETiS Project Key findings: The number of young people involved in VET has increased substantially and VET generally has been well supported by initiatives such as Trade Training Centres in Schools. There has been a substantial increase in the number of young women undertaking VET – present indications would suggest the increase to be approximately 52%. The number and range of VETiS programs has also increased including some 200 Certificate level qualifications (across all Schools / sites).

Evolution of VETiS Project Other comments: The final research report will be available in October / November (2014). The research sample (16 schools) is fairly small however the information we have from previous work allows for considerable comparison. Using NCVER’s extensive research base on VETiS (and other sources) we will also undertake a literature search to identify criteria commonly linked with VETiS success and / or failure.

What do Australian’s really know about VET pathways? In June 2014, WorldSkills Australia (WSA) undertook a quantitative survey focused on better understanding the knowledge and perceptions of the vocational education and training (VET) sector. The results showed a significant lack of understanding of the sector, with one in four Australians admitting to not knowing what is meant by the term “vocational education and training”. The research also showed that many Australians are unaware of the education and training options available to them– more than a third (38 per cent) were unaware that jewellery is offered as a VET qualification, one quarter didn’t know bricklaying qualifications were offered and one in five weren’t aware plumbing was offered. Many Australians believe a trade-based career is aspirational (76 per cent) yet more than two thirds have never considered following a trade-based pathway, suggesting a perception problem or a lack of understanding about what the sector can offer. Information provided by WorldSkills Australia - research was conducted online by PureProfile in February 2014 with a representative sample of 1,250 Australians aged 18+ nationwide.

What do Australian’s really know about VET pathways? Uptake of VET Generational uptake: While 37 per cent of Australians have a member of their family employed in the vocational sector, the percentage increases generationally – 46 per cent of people over 70 have a relative in a trade, compared to just 34 per cent of Gen Y (21 – 30 year olds). A misunderstood career Unknown earnings: Many Australians aren’t able to identify the remuneration potential for key trades, with 51 per cent underestimating what a bricklayer gets paid. Unconsidered pathways: Many Australians are also reluctant to commit to the idea of a trade-based career – more than two thirds of us have never considered a career in a trade-based industry. This is despite 76 per cent of us recognising it as an aspirational employment prospect. Trade-based blokes: Men are far more likely to consider a career in a trade – more than a third (37 per cent) would follow a vocational pathway, compared to just 27 per cent of women.

What do Australian’s really know about VET pathways? A perception problem An open mind: People with diplomas and certificates are most likely to encourage their child to pursue whatever career option suits them (72 per cent), while 41 per cent of those with a university degree or higher said they would prefer their child complete a degree. Generation Degree: Young people are significantly more likely to believe that a university degree will put their children ahead, with 36 per cent of year olds saying they’d encourage a degree, compared to 19 per cent of people over 60. On the way up: While two thirds of people believe trade based careers are better respected today than 10 years ago, one quarter of us don’t see a trade-based career an aspirational employment prospect. A female aspiration: Women are more likely to see trades as aspirational – 79 per cent felt a trade-based career was an ambitious goal, compared to just 72 per cent of men. Information provided by WorldSkills Australia - research was conducted online by PureProfile in February 2014 with a representative sample of 1,250 Australians aged 18+ nationwide.

What do Australian’s really know about VET pathways? Regional findings: NSW: Keeping regional NSW running: People in regional NSW are significantly more likely to know someone pursuing a vocation. While 44 per cent of people in regional NSW know someone employed in a trade-based industry, this falls to 33 per cent when compared with their metropolitan counterparts. VIC: Melbourne’s in the know: Melburnian’s are more likely than regional Victorians to hold basic VET knowledge – 77 per cent of Melbourne residents said they understand the term “vocational education and training” compared to just two thirds of regional Victorians. WA: Regional Western Australians : Just one quarter of respondents in Perth said they would consider a career in a trade-based industry, significantly lower than their regional counterparts, who clocked up 35 per cent.

What do Australian’s really know about VET pathways? QLD: Regional Queenslanders know VET: Two thirds of Brisbanians understand what is meant by vocational education and training, but regional Queenslanders have a much better understanding – 78 per cent claim to know what is meant by vocational education and training. SA: Skills for the area: The popularity of key vocational careers varied between Adelaide and regional South Australia, with 42 per cent of Adelaide residents considering a career as a graphic designer (compared to 33 per cent in regional areas). Just 13 per cent of Adelaide residents considered a career as a house painter, compared to 19 per cent of regional areas. TAS: Open to ideas: Regional Tasmanians were more likely to consider a range of trade-based careers, with one in five considering a career as a bricklayer (compared to five per cent in metro areas) and 22 per cent considering becoming a house painter (compared to nine per cent in metro areas).

More information? Contact me directly at: Lori Hocking CEO VETnetwork Australia Phone: #vetnetaus