1.3 million Australians are now enrolled in government-funded vocational education (VET) according to the report by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research. 

This 2016 figure was released this week, and showed an increase of 3.3 per cent compared to the prior year.

The report found that 21 per cent of 15 to 19 year old students participated in government-funded VET in 2016. This included a 12 per cent increase of Indigenous students and an eight per cent increase of students with a disability. 

Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, said that the increase means that Australia needs to meet the rapidly changing needs of the economy. 

“We announced the $1.5 billion Skilling Australians Fund in this year’s federal budget which is targeted towards apprenticeships and traineeships,” Minister Andrews said. 

“The Fund will create 300,000 apprenticeships and traineeships over the next four years with federal, state and territory government working together, as well as industry,” Minister Andrews added. 

In addition, the Fund has prioritised projects to support high-demand occupation related apprenticeships and traineeships suited to each states and territories. 

Moreover, the Government recently approved over 100 high quality VET providers for the VET Student Loans program. This is to ensure Australian students are offered with the best opportunity for high-quality courses.