Like many industries across Australia, there is increasing pressure to attract and retain a skilled VET workforce, at the same time 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.
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.
Complete the survey and help us improve the VET workforce! Your insights will help us identify areas where we can develop projects to provide support.
Survey closes Thursday 5:00PM AEDT, 17 April 2025.
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