There has been a significant shift in the behaviour of young people over the past decade, according to the latest report from NCVER’s Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). LSAY charts the lives of a group of young Australians as they leave school, enter further study or the workforce and make the transition into adulthood. It compares the results of the group that commenced the study in 2009, who were age 25 in 2019, with the 1998 cohort who were age 25 in 2009.

The proportion of 25-year-olds who completed a university qualification increased from 41% to 52% over the decade, while those with a VET qualification fell from 55% to 46%. Those in apprenticeships and traineeships slipped from 25% to 17%.

The report also shows young people are finding it harder to secure full-time work and completing their post-school study at a later age and, as a result, working while studying for longer periods.
 
Unemployment and underemployment are exacerbated by a lack of work experience and a lack of qualifications that match job opportunities.
 
See the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth: Life at 25: then & now

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) had a busy month in, with the 29th 'No Frills' conference held online for the first time between 7 and 10 July, and the release of research and teacher resources.  The conference theme was: Workforce ready: challenges and opportunities for VET.

Apprentices and Trainees:

• Australian VET statistics: Apprentices and trainees 2019 — December quarter is available at NCVER Publications.
• For Information on employment outcomes, reasons for non-completion, and satisfaction with training for apprentices and trainees, view Apprentice and trainee experiences and destinations 2019.

Research:

• A discussion paper exploring the theme ‘Workforce ready: challenges and opportunities for VET’ was released in preparation for the 29th National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’ .
• The use of RPL in VET is decreasing, according to a new report released by the NCVER.  Exploring the recognition of prior learning in Australian VET.

VET Practitioner Resources:

• NEW PODCAST: Responding to Industry 4.0 - what works.  Digital skills are now essential for most occupations in Australia. So what does this mean for VET courses and, therefore, our VET educators? Join Steve Davis as he talks to Suzi Kuti, Metro Trains Sydney, and NCVER researchers Michelle Circelli and Bridget Wibrow about what teaching digital skills means for VET educators, their integration into VET delivery, and why they should become key foundation skills for all VET students.  LISTEN: VET's response to Industry 4.0 and the digital economy: what works
• Good practice guides Incorporating digital skills into VET delivery and Teaching digital skills: implications for VET educators are available on the NCVER Portal.