Trends in VET: policy and participation

Given the changing policy environment in vocational education and training (VET), the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) considered it timely to look at the policy developments and participation trends over the last 20 years. This occasional paper examines two broad policy trends, the extension of the apprenticeship and traineeship system, and the opening up of the training market, as well as three specific policy case studies: incentive payments for employers of apprentices and trainees; accelerated apprenticeships; and entitlement models. The paper also examines...  [+] Show more

Given the changing policy environment in vocational education and training (VET), the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) considered it timely to look at the policy developments and participation trends over the last 20 years. This occasional paper examines two broad policy trends, the extension of the apprenticeship and traineeship system, and the opening up of the training market, as well as three specific policy case studies: incentive payments for employers of apprentices and trainees; accelerated apprenticeships; and entitlement models. The paper also examines the high-level trends in VET participation and the labour market, and in doing so, reflects on how the changing policy environment has influenced participation trends over the past 20 years. The paper concludes with some observations and reflections about the policy trends in VET, the tensions in the system created by these developments, and some thoughts about the future direction of VET policy.

Published abstract.