The vocational education and training (VET) workforce plays a critical role in addressing skills shortages and supporting the evolving needs of Australia’s Transport Supply Chain (TSC) industries, including Aviation, Maritime, Rail, and Transport and Logistics. As demand for skilled workers continues to increase across the economy, pressure on the VET sector has intensified, making it more difficult to attract and retain experienced professionals – particularly those who teach, train, and assess industry capability.
In response, the Australian Government, in partnership with Jobs and Skills Australia, developed the VET Workforce Blueprint to support a high‑quality, sustainable national workforce. Shaped through consultation with industry, experts, and state and territory governments, the Blueprint provides a coordinated roadmap for workforce growth and resilience.
Building on this foundation, Industry Skills Australia (ISA) is delivering this targeted project focused on vocational education providers within the transport sectors. The project aims to strengthen workforce capacity and sustainability by improving understanding of industry‑specific VET roles, addressing workforce challenges through RTO led solutions, and supporting attraction pathways and workforce pipelines across the TSC industries.
Stream 1 delivered the Supply Chain VET Workforce Study, which has been submitted to the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. The study used a mixed‑method research approach, combining data analysis with interviews, a national workforce survey, and a workshop with Registered Training Organisation (RTO) representatives. This approach generated new insights while also validating findings from previous Industry Skills Australia workforce planning consultations.
Stream 2 built on the outcomes of the Study by further investigating and validating the key challenges and issues identified. The focus of this stream was on identifying practical, RTO led solutions to address workforce pressures and strengthen the sustainability of the VET workforce across the TSC sectors.
Stream 3 has now commenced, translating the research and recommendations from Streams 1 and 2 into action.
Building on feedback from the VET workforce about key challenges and pressures, Stream 3 focuses on developing targeted resources and professional development activities to strengthen the VET workforce across the transport supply chain and streamlining into the TSC VET Trainer and Assessor role.
This work has resulted in three RTO led initiatives, all of which have now been approved by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR).
Trainer ToolBox
The Trainer ToolBox will be a stand‑alone online hub designed to support the professional development for skills and knowledge in training and assessment of VET Trainers and Assessors.
It will provide access to digital resources identified by the TSC VET Workforce, that may include:
- Interactive training modules
- Videos and webinars
- Live discussion forums
All resources will be supported by a custom Learning Management System (LMS), which will generate completion certificates. These certificates will assist RTOs in monitoring Trainer and Assessor currency.
ADF Instructor Recognition
The ADF Instructor Recognition initiative involves mapping the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Instructor Course to the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122).
The aim is to develop a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) toolkit that creates a streamlined entry pathway into TSC VET Trainer and Assessor roles for ADF veterans who have completed the ADF Instructor Course and maintained their currency.
Implementation Support
Within the VET Workforce Project, Implementation Support focuses on developing and delivering training and guidance to TSC RTOs, VET Trainers, and Assessors. This support will assist with:
- Training package implementation
- Transition to updated qualifications and units.
Where You Can Help
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT) – Trainer ToolBox
ISA is seeking participants to assist with User Acceptance Testing (UAT). A limited number of TSC VET Trainers and Assessors will have early access to the Trainer ToolBox digital hub.
Participants will be able to:
- Access and use professional development resources
- Generate completion certificates
- Provide feedback to inform final improvements.
- RTO Implementation Support
We would also like to hear from RTOs that have TSC training packages (AVI, MAR, TLI) on scope and may need assistance with implementation.
In particular, we are interested in:
- Recent qualification updates that have caused challenges
- Areas where support from ISA could be beneficial
*Please note that the information presented here by ISA has been distilled from a longer, more detailed document prepared for DEWR. It is represented with permission.
REPORT SNAPSHOT - The ISA VET Workforce Study at a glance
Study purpose
The ISA VET Workforce Study examines the current and future Vocational Education and Training (VET) workforce across Transport Supply Chain (TSC) industries. It focuses on a workforce profile and trends, emerging roles, and the barriers affecting attraction and retention of Teach, Train and Assess professionals.
Key findings
The TSC VET workforce is ageing, predominantly male, and less diverse than both the broader VET sector and the general Australian workforce. Women, First Nations people and people with disability remain underrepresented, indicating the presence of systemic barriers to entry and progression.
There is a significant shortage of qualified Teach, Train and Assess professionals in regional, rural and remote areas, with high accommodation costs worsening workforce supply challenges. The cost and complexity of the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE) is also discouraging potential entrants.
Ongoing digital transformation and rapid technological change across TSC industries are increasing the time and cost required for trainers and assessors to maintain vocational currency and professional competence.
Workforce pathways vary by sector. Maritime, Rail and Transport & Logistics typically attract older industry professionals transitioning into training later in their careers, while Aviation more commonly sees younger professionals take on training roles to maintain flight hours.
Opportunities and next steps
The study identified a previously unrecognised pool of potential Teach, Train and Assess professionals, presenting a strong opportunity for targeted recruitment. Increasing awareness of clear, supported pathways from industry into the VET workforce is a key priority.
ISA will work with industry, training providers and government stakeholders to address systemic barriers and help build a sustainable VET workforce pipeline for the future.
Why this matters
By analysing how training is delivered across Aviation, Maritime, Rail and Transport and Logistics, the study provides clearer insight into workforce challenges and the actions needed to ensure a reliable supply of skilled VET professionals for TSC industries.
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