New data released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) shows a decline in both job prospects and in the measure of ‘improved employment status’ for Victorian students following the completion of training.
The data reveals that Victorians who complete vocational training and seek meaningful employment are finding it harder to do so, with a decline in people obtaining their first full-time job following training dipping to just 6.5 per cent, and people employed or in further study after training also dropping a further 1.1 per cent to 86.1 per cent.
Additional data from respondents highlights:
- A decrease in the number of people employed at a higher skill level after training (down 3.2 per cent to 20.2 per cent)
- A decrease in the number of people reporting being employed in a better job after training (down 4.9 per cent to 37.5 per cent)
- A decline in the number of people employed following training (down 2.4 per cent to 76.4 per cent)
- A decline in the proportion of people employed before training and after training (down 4.8 per cent to just 7 per cent)
The Nationals’ Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said more needed to be done to ensure improvements were made to job prospects in regional communities.
“Skills training in Victoria under Labor has been neglected with new data revealing a troubling decline in job prospects or attaining a higher skilled job after training,” Ms Cleeland said.
“This is particularly worrying in our regional towns, with many already seeing a decline in the availability and accessibility of TAFE courses, or are left without any tertiary education options at all.
“Benalla is one of the few towns in my region that is home to a TAFE, and despite recent upgrades, is still only offering just two courses despite a pressing need for improved training options locally.
“Seymour’s TAFE facilities have also seen decreases in both the number of available courses and staff in recent years, limiting options and opportunities for young people in our region.
“Regional Victorians deserve the best possible training, and certainty that their training will lead to a higher skill job opportunity in the future.
“Yet, after 10 years of a Labor Government, we have vocational education and training that is the lowest funded in the country and data that shows a decline in job prospects for trainees.
“Given widespread skills shortages across all industries in Victoria, we must see a reversal of these trends, engage with industry, and strengthen the system to ensure better training and job opportunities.”
