VET News

VET: A re-engagement pathway for school leavers

Many early school leavers are opting for Vocational Education and Training (VET) to complete their education and learn the skills they need to get a job. But for them to succeed, quality career planning that is inclusive of parents is critical.

Latest research VET as a re-engagement pathway for early school leavers from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) examined the factors that influence young people who left school before completing Year 12 to re-engage with education. It analysed data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY).

NCVER's Managing Director, Simon Walker said that VET plays an important role in enabling early school leavers to continue their education and obtain qualifications for employment. Apprenticeships and traineeships, in particular, provide an option for early school leavers to obtain a qualification while being employed.

Parents are a strong influence in encouraging early school leavers to re-engage with education, especially through VET. Early school leavers with parents or guardians who had VET aspirations for them were more likely to take that step in their education and career pathway.

Most survey respondents who re-engaged with education after leaving school early do so within six months of leaving school. This, combined with personal and parental post-school plans, suggests that these young people are making conscious decisions about their learning and career pathways at the time they leave school.

Providing easy-to-understand and tailored career information to both students and parents is therefore important. Career advice must start well before senior secondary school and needs to cover relevant course choices and available financial help.

Download the NCVER's Research Report: VET as a Re-engagement pathway for School Leavers

Date posted Mar 10, 2022