Pathways through vocational education and training for school leavers

Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), selected characteristics of entrants into vocational education and training (VET) programs, the completion rates of entrants, and their the labour market outcomes (to age 24) are examined. Both Australian Apprenticeships and non-apprenticeship VET programs are considered. Australian Apprenticeships are separated into traditional apprenticeships and traineeships. Characteristics of entrants into these pathways are compared with those of school leavers who enter the workforce without undertaking any formal post-school education or training. Labour market outcomes (employment status, experience of unemployment, hours worked and earnings) for young people from the various programs and fields of study who either completed or did not complete their VET programs are compared. Those young men who undertake apprenticeships benefit substantially from them and the young women who undertake traineeships gain from them. Differences in labour market outcomes are apparent by gender, program type and field of study. There is a net benefit to program completion, but it is not uniformly distributed. Possible implications for school-based career advisors and for policy makers are discussed.

Published abstract.

Available papers from the 10th Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) Conference are indexed from TD/TNC 89.401 to TD/TNC 89.447. Show less