School students in VET reach highest level since collection began in 2006

The VET in Schools 2024 report shows the number of students engaged in vocational education and training (VET) has increased by 5.8% from 2023, to 266,765 students, and increased 55.4% to its highest level since the collection began in 2006. Whilst Queensland continues to hold the highest proportion of VET in Schools students (39.4%), growth was recorded across most states and territories.

In 2024, over one in four students aged 15 to 19 took part in VET programs as part of their senior secondary schooling, highlighting the continued strong demand for vocational learning opportunities. NCVER Managing Director John King said, ‘VET is becoming a more popular option for school students who prefer hands-on learning, with more funding and support from government, schools and training providers.’

In 2024, 21,515 VET in Schools students participated in school-based apprenticeships or traineeships, which represented 8.1% of VET in Schools students nationally. Over the past five years, the number of school-based apprentices or trainees has shown an overall upward trend.

Program enrolment trends from 2019 to 2024 indicate a continued shift towards higher level qualifications. Certificate I enrolments fell from 11.1% in 2019 to 6.6% in 2024. Certificate II also saw a gradual decrease in its proportional share, despite remaining the largest category. In contrast, mid-level and higher-level qualifications have grown steadily in both numbers and share since 2019. Higher level qualifications can position students to be better equipped with practical skills for the workplace or to enter further education opportunities.

In terms of program enrolments, the most popular training package was Tourism, Travel and Hospitality (56,740 or 15.5%), followed by Sport, Fitness and Recreation (50,700 or 13.8%), and Business Services (42,120 or 11.5%). The training packages with the highest number of qualification completions in 2024 was Business Services (20,015 or 15.0%). Completions in Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start) have grown to 3,370 from 2,580 in 2023 (an increase of 30.6%), showing more school students are exploring a potential career in the energy and renewables sector.

Although early childhood education and care (ECEC) did not appear among the leading training packages, the continued growth of school-based VET presents a valuable opportunity for the sector to promote Certificate III in ECEC as a rewarding vocational pathway.

With school-based apprenticeships and higher qualification uptake on the rise, there is scope for ECEC providers to:

• Build partnerships with secondary schools and RTOs
• Offer traineeship placements and career exposure opportunities
• Promote the sector’s value and impact to students seeking people-focused, meaningful careers

At a time when the ECEC sector faces significant workforce challenges, investing in early engagement with secondary students through VET pathways could help strengthen the future educator pipeline.

Background:

VET in Schools 2024 provides data on VET undertaken by school students as part of their senior secondary certificate of education (SSCE), where the training is nationally recognised or delivered by schools or other training providers.

Download the report: VET in Schools 2024.