4.5 million students studying through Vocational Education and Training

More than 4.5 million students were engaged in vocational education and training in Australia in 2015, according to a July press release from Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skill, the Hon. Karen Andrews MP.

The Minister said the total VET students and courses report, published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), showed around one in four working-age Australians participated in training last year. 

"Australia's VET system is characterised by a focus on industry-centred skills and training because that produces the best outcomes for individuals and business alike," Minister Andrews said. 

"A high quality, diverse VET systems equips people in communities throughout Australia with the skills they need for jobs, and which employers seek to help grow their businesses." 

Minister Andrews said the NCVER report showed the diversity and dynamism of vocational education and training provisions in Australia.

"Nearly two thirds of students in 2015 were aged 25 years or older, with around one in five aged between 15 and 19, and more than two in every five VET students were female. There is a dynamic training market with thousands of training providers throughout Australia ranging from large and diverse TAFEs and other providers, to niche private training providers to communication education providers," the Minister said. 

The top four training packages in 2015 were in Business Services, Community Services; Tourism, Travel and Hospitality; and Construction, Plumbing and Services represetning 46% of  total enrolments.

Mike Cullen has recently returned to Akolade after a period as the conference producer for one of Australia's leading economic think tanks. Mike began working in the conference industry in 2007 after looking for a career change from the high pressured world of inbound customer service. Mike has worked for some of the most well-known conference and media companies in the B2B space and in his spare time is working on his first novel in a planned Epic Fantasy trilogy.

Mike’s most recently published story, Seeds of Eden, is featured in the Sproutlings Anthology released in March 2016. Mike is also editing the Anthology – Community: Tales of the LGBTI scheduled for release in June 2017.