From VET to sustainable employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
Our summary
By examining the personal and training characteristics associated with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ attainment of sustainable employment, the research aimed to determine the vocational education and training (VET) potential for enabling longer-term benefits for this cohort.
This analysis shows that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who had commenced a VET program had an increased likelihood of achieving sustainable employment when compared with those who had not commenced VET. Outcomes were similar irrespective of whether the student had completed or not completed a VET program. Several characteristics were shown to influence the likelihood of sustainable employment, including socioeconomic status, apprenticeship/traineeship status, provider type and qualification level.
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The following personal and training characteristics had the strongest effects on the likelihood of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples achieving sustainable employment:
- Those residing in the least disadvantaged areas (high score on Index of Relative Socio-economic Disadvantage) were up to 320% more likely to achieve sustainable employment than those residing in areas of high disadvantage.
- Those who were an apprentice or trainee were 150% more likely to achieve sustainable employment compared with non-apprentices or trainees, noting that employment is an inherent element of an apprenticeship or traineeship.
- Students who were enrolled at a TAFE (technical and further education) institute or university were up to 30% more likely to achieve sustainable employment than those enrolled at a private training provider or community education provider.
- Those who were enrolled in a Certificate IV were 100% more likely to achieve sustainable employment compared with those enrolled in a Certificate II or Certificate III.
- Students aged 15—19 years old were more likely to achieve sustainable employment than those in older age groups.