24 November 2025
The VET Workforce Project has entered its critical second phase. ISA is now investigating and validating VET workforce challenges and issues identified in Steam 1 and exploring industry-led responses.
Stream 1: Outcomes
Key Findings
- VET workforce in TSC industries is ageing, male-dominated, and less diverse than the broader and general Australian workforce
- Attracting younger and more diverse entrants into the VET workforce is critical, particularly in sectors with ageing workforce profiles
- Women, First Nations people, and individuals with disability are underrepresented, indicating potential systemic barriers that may require targeted recruitment, support, and inclusion strategies
- A shortage of qualified trainers in regional, rural, and remote areas, further compounded by the high cost of accommodation
- Digital transformation of learning and assessment/rapid technological change placing increasing time and cost pressures on VET practitioners / training providers to maintain vocational currency and professional competency
- A significant pay gap between industry roles and VET training roles - especially in a competitive labour market already experiencing shortages in key occupations
- The complexity and cost of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment is a disincentive to prospective trainers and assessors.
Opportunities
- The discovery of a larger-than-expected potential workforce presents a real opportunity. A key priority is to raise awareness of clear and supported pathways from industry into the VET workforce.
- The Rail VET sector is facing a demographic shift, with a significant portion of its workforce nearing or entering retirement. This ’retirement cliff’ presents both a challenge and an opportunity, while it risks a loss of experienced trainers.
Stream 2:
As part of Stream 2 activities, ISA will collaborate with industry experts to further develop the skills and competency framework developed in Stream 1 covering technical skills, soft skills, and professional development across career stages.
Key activities:
- Investigate and validate Stream 1 challenges and issues and further and identify industry-led responses.
- Consult with stakeholders to investigate industry-led strategies to strengthen the VET workforce across the Aviation, Maritime, Rail and Transport and Logistic sectors.
Like many industries across Australia, there is increasing pressure to attract and retain a skilled VET workforce, at the same time as skills shortages are being experienced more widely across the economy. Increasingly, industry and employers are looking to the VET sector to address their own skills shortages, further exacerbating the pressure on the VET workforce.
The Australian Government, in collaboration with Jobs and Skills Australia, has developed a VET Workforce Blueprint (the Blueprint) to support a high-quality and sustainable workforce. The Blueprint was developed in collaboration with states and territories to provide a roadmap to grow, support and sustain the VET workforce. It has been informed by consultations with stakeholders and expert advice from the VET Workforce Blueprint Steering Group.
To continue and further support the work VET Workforce Blueprint, Industry Skills Australia is undertaking a project that will concentrate on vocational education providers in the transport sectors (Aviation, Maritime, Rail and Transport and Logistics) to complement and contribute to the opportunities and actions included in the Blueprint.
ISA’s sector-specific Workplan is a 12-to-18-month initiative designed to support the growth and sustainability of the VET workforce in Australia. As part of the workplan, ISA will undertake a suite of activities to identify and address industry-specific actions grouped into three streams.
- Stream 1 – Undertake industry-specific VET workforce studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of industry-specific roles
- Stream 2 – Investigate industry-specific VET workforce challenges and issues and identify industry-led responses
- Stream 3 – Investigate and support pathways and pipeline of VET workforces and identify industry led actions e.g., attraction and promotion strategies.
22 September 2025
Stream 2 of the VET Workforce project is now underway, with a focus on developing industry-led solutions.
To deepen understanding of VET workforce roles and influences in the Transport Supply Chain Industries, ISA will:
- Validate industry-specific VET workforce challenges identified in Stream 1.
- Consult with stakeholders to investigate industry-led strategies to strengthen the VET workforce across the Aviation, Maritime, Rail and Transport & Logistic sectors.
Get Involved
We’re inviting:
- Transport Supply Chain workforce members
- RTOs delivering AVI, MAR and TLI qualifications
- Transport Supply Chain industry unions and associations
To share their views on the issues affecting trainers and assessors in these sectors.
Why Your Input Matters
Your insights are critical to shaping a VET workforce that meets the evolving needs of the Transport Supply Chain sectors. By participating, you’ll help identify opportunities for improvement and inform potential projects that support workforce sustainability.
ISA will continue engaging with stakeholders throughout the project to ensure outcomes are aligned with industry needs.
You can express your interest in participating in consultation meetings about this project via the survey.
Stream 3 components will be announced as the project progresses.
10 October 2025
Survey closed on Friday, 10 October 2025
20 March 2025
ISA will undertake transport specific VET workforce studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of industry-specific influences and roles in the VET workforce. ISA will approach the scope of work in Stream 1 as four separate but interconnected components:
Understanding the current VET workforce
Collect data on the size, composition, characteristic and transitions of the current transport-specific VET workforce. Review literature and engage with stakeholders to understand workforce trends and challenges.
VET workforce roles and needs
Develop an overview of the roles and needs in the VET workforce for the transport industries, in collaboration with industry experts.
VET workforce pathways and pipelines
Develop an occupational mapping and roles report that will inform the development of career pathways and pipelines by analysing workforce demographics and regional demands.
Future and emerging VET workforce issues
Identify future workforce trends such as the impacts of technology and an aging workforce, as well as assess the implications of any policy and practice changes that may have on future VET workforce.
Components for Streams 2 and 3 will be published as this project progresses.
12 August 2025
Stream 1 of the VET Workforce Project is now complete. The final report has been submitted to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. ISA’s research combined data analysis with insights from interviews, a workforce survey, and a workshop with Registered Training Organisation representatives. This mixed-method approach revealed new findings and confirmed insights from ISA’s previous Workforce Plan consultations.
Stream 2 will focus on developing industry-led solutions.
For any enquiries about the VET Workforce Blueprint or to participate, please reach out.
Leslie Young
Project Manager - VET Workforce
M: 0438 370 229 | E: leslie.young@isajsc.org.au