More than 90 per cent of jobs growth in the next decade will require post-school qualifications, including 43 per cent where Vocational Education and Training (VET) is the primary pathway.
Most (459,000) jobs will require a certificate II or III qualification. Another 170,200 jobs will require a certificate III or IV, including an apprenticeship, and 206,300 jobs will require a diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree.
Whether it is an apprenticeship or traineeship, diploma or certificate, vocational education and training can provide jobseekers with the skills they need to be employed.
In the lead-up to National Skills Week (August 25-31), the 2024 Victorian Vocational Student of the Year & Electrotechnology apprentice Carly Brown, talked about the benefits of a trade.
“There's so many more opportunities by doing a trade,” she said.
“There's so many career options that are available that we just don't even know about.”
Brown struggled with the academic focus of her high school and when she saw a friend had enrolled at a trade school, she decided to make the switch too, in her second term of Year 10.
There, while completing her high school certificate, she was able to try a range of work experiences and completed the qualifications Certificate II in Engineering, Certificate II in Electrotechnology, Certificate II in Plumbing and Certificate II in Automotive Technology.
“I can't learn through just reading or writing. I have to be physically on the job to learn, so for me, VET has been amazing,” she said.
National Skills Week chair, Brian Wexham, said skills week is important to change perceptions about VET.
“Apprenticeships are a cornerstone of the VET sector. A quality apprenticeship pathway will continue to be critical to ensuring that Australia is able to respond to emerging skills needs and an increasing dynamic labour market influenced by technology,” he said.
Komatsu Australia Pty Ltd national apprentice development manager, Kate Pemberton, said apprentices are an essential and strategic part of Australia’s workforce.
“By investing in apprenticeships, we’re not just filling immediate gaps—we’re building long-term capability and resilience,” she said.
“Apprentices enable us to expand our workforce with fresh talent who are eager to learn and contribute from day one.”