New report tells the story behind training demand and supply

A new report published by Skills Insight unpacks the factors impacting engagement with and delivery of VET. The research presents areas of opportunity to improve availability and engagement with formal training where it is needed, providing insights to guide industry and government decision-making.

 The Exploring Training Demand and Supply Report reveals insights from interviews with 224 people across 11 industry sectors that are well supported with registered national qualifications however with very little training delivery and student enrolments against those qualifications. Drawing on the experiences of stakeholders around the country, the research tells a story of invisible demand (that is, need for training), an absence of supply of training delivery and industry left without the skills they need. Key findings have been organised into four common themes:

VET governance, funding and regulation 

The ‘multi-stakeholder’ nature of VET has contributed to a complex environment that stakeholders find challenging to understand and navigate. The variety and variability of funding sources make it difficult to plan long-term investments in facilities, infrastructure, staff, and training materials. 

RTO delivery challenges 

Trainer shortages, the cost of facilities required for practical training and assessment, and the cost and expertise required to develop training and assessment resources can all present significant barriers to delivery of qualifications.

Issues of industry attraction and career pathways

Many stakeholders reported that low enrolments were part of a broader issue of attraction and retention to the industry. 

Barriers to industry engagement in VET

Many businesses need the skills and knowledge VET provides, yet struggled to engage in formal training for reasons including: having a seasonal or casual workforce, the time out from work required for study and travel, and a lack of understanding of the return on investment. Specific analysis is also provided of the factors impacting regional, rural and remote Australia and each of the 11 industries included in the research.

Visit the project webpage here: Exploring Training Demand  & Supply Challenges Project - Skills Insight