Indigenous people in vocational education and training: a statistical review of progress

This report offers a statistical overview of the participation and outcomes in vocational education and training (VET) of Indigenous people over the period 1997-2001. The data analysis provides base benchmarks against which trends over the coming years can be assessed as impacted by actions taken in the blueprint for implementation of the 'Partners in a learning culture: national strategy from 2002 to 2005' (indexed at TD/TNC 63.292). The data analysis presented in this review should be considered a snapshot of the current state of Indigenous VET. Key findings of the data analysis include: participation of Indigenous people in VET is very strong and the rate is twice that of other students; young Indigenous people are participating at rates above those for non-Indigenous young people; against all indicators apart from participation, Indigenous people are faring less well than non-Indigenous people; the proportions of Indigenous students achieving modules through recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer are about half those of non-Indigenous people; although Indigenous VET students tend to study for lower level qualifications, there is a trend towards Indigenous people participating in higher level courses; pass rates have decreased and withdrawal rates also continue to be higher than for non-Indigenous students; there is a significant trend towards Indigenous people participating in information technology courses, however pass rates have decreased; there is positive growth in Indigenous people's participation in New Apprenticeships; and there is a need to develop performance indicators that will demonstrate the social and community economic and welfare benefits of participating in VET that can be used in addition to the existing employment-related indicators.

This report is one of two documents resulting from the research undertaken for the first phase of a mid-term review of the blueprint (indexed at TD/TNC 62.913); the other document is indexed at TD/ANTA 80.03; the final report from the mid term review is indexed at TD/ANTA 80.04. Show less