New data from the latest Jobs and Skills Report has confirmed the growing value of vocational education and training (VET) qualifications, with graduates now earning significantly more and securing stronger employment outcomes than before they commenced their studies.

According to the report, VET graduates are seeing $14,100 more in median income compared to their pre-training earnings.

Employment outcomes have also risen sharply, with 88 per cent of graduates employed after completing their qualification, up from 72 per cent before training.

Released annually by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), the report provides a detailed analysis of the nation’s current and emerging workforce needs.

This year’s findings highlight the critical importance of aligning Australia’s tertiary education system with labour market demand.

JSA Commissioner Professor Barney Glover said the data underscores a major opportunity for Australia.

“Understanding how well the system is delivering the skills needed for students to succeed post-training, along with other social and structural factors such as those limiting participation in the workforce, represents a huge economic opportunity,” Professor Glover said.

“This plays out the same across different cohorts whether we’re talking First Nations people, young people, people with disability - we want to see Australian employers leaning into this untapped potential for their own benefit.”

The report also highlights major changes underway in the national labour market.

“Australia’s labour market is experiencing tremendous upheaval as we continue to transition to a service economy and external forces like artificial intelligence impact the way we live, work and learn,” he said.

Future trends revealed

The Jobs and Skills Report highlighted some interesting changes.

Workforce participation has increased, largely driven by increased participation from women and mature aged people.

 Over the last 10 years, Australian industry composition has shifted:

+886,700 workers in health Care and Social Assistance, now totalling more than 2.3 million workers.

+359,700 workers in Professional, Scientific and Technical Services, now totalling 1.3 million workers.

+337,800 workers in Education and Training, now totalling 1.3 million workers.

Dental assistants will be in demand, according to the latest Jobs and Skills Australia report.

Lower skilled roles saw modest growth, reflecting a shift toward higher skilled jobs.

The report said over 90 per cent of employment growth will be in jobs requiring post-secondary qualifications.

When it comes to personal service and community workers, the occupations that are projected to have the strongest employment growth over the decade are mostly those in health and care fields, with top three being Dental Assistants (26.8 per cent), Nursing Support and Personal Care Workers (24.7 per cent) and Ambulance Officers and Paramedics (22.6 per cent).

AI is (probably) not the enemy

Artificial intelligence is already reshaping job roles - but not always by replacing them.

“While we’re seeing more evidence of augmentation than automation as a result of the introduction of artificial intelligence, it represents both a great opportunity and challenge for the next generation Australian workforce.”

To help share the findings and engage with communities, Professor Glover has launched a national roadshow.

The tour has included visits to every capital city, a regional event in Coffs Harbour, and an online webinar.

With high school graduations having taken place across the Western Plains, young people will be considering their future options, and this roadshow might help.

While all in-person events are being held in capital cities, it’s not too late for regional Australians to participate, with the online session scheduled for thisTuesday 2 December and open to anyone who registers.

The online webinar will feature JSA Ministerial Advisory Board Chair Cath Bowtell and members El Gibbs and Professor Jack Beetson.

Registration details for all events are available on the JSA website.

The full Jobs and Skills Report is available here.