A new report shows a surge in South Australians embracing vocational education as the state tackles skills shortages head-on. We look at what’s inspiring the spike – and talk to apprentice Pieran about his dream job coming true.
South Australia has recorded an 11.1 per cent increase in the number of people undertaking vocational education and training (VET) in 2023 compared to 2022, with nearly 300,000 South Australians participating last year.
This big jump in VET enrolments comes at a time when the state is facing skills shortages in crucial sectors such as early childhood education, construction, defence, health and trades. These are all industries that VET can set up young people for a rewarding and well-paid career in.
Record-breaking growth across the board
A new report from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) reveals impressive growth, as South Australia led the nation with the largest increases in several key areas:
- VET students training at school jumped by 19 per cent
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students increased by 18.2 per cent
- Students from regional and remote locations rose by 13.4 per cent
- Female student numbers grew by 13.2 per cent.
The state also saw the second-largest national increases in VET students reporting a disability (up 9.7 per cent) and young people aged 24 years and under (up 8.2 per cent).
Importantly, the number of people studying courses at Certificate III level and above increased by 3.5 per cent to 93,335, indicating that more students are pursuing higher-level qualifications to meet the demands of the job market.
These figures paint a picture of a state embracing vocational education as a pathway to rewarding careers, proving you don’t need a university degree to embark on a rewarding career.
The State Government has been actively supporting this trend with significant investments in the skills sector. These include the signing of the $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement (NSA), the delivery of Fee-Free TAFE programs, funding for five technical colleges, and increased funding for training providers to address skills shortages.
“Totally worth the effort”: Pieran Turner’s story
After high school, Pieran Turner tried the usual – a bunch of jobs, uni courses – but nothing clicked.
“Hands-on work and being outdoors was what I enjoyed,” Pieran says. Once he realised that, he applied for a pre-apprenticeship program with the SA Housing Authority. After completing that course, he was offered a four-year carpentry apprenticeship with Master Builders South Australia, subsidised through the state government’s Employment Pathways program.
“Basically I did it on a whim,” Pieran says. Now about to complete his third year, he’s passionate about his trade. While qualified carpenters make a good wage, Pieran says it’s not about the money: “It’s being out there and being physical and not stuck in one place.”
Like all types of education, apprenticeships aren’t always easy – but Pieran’s fine with that. “I’ve just decided to go for it,” he says. “Nothing good comes in life that’s easy. You have to work hard to get a result.”
Even the TAFE SA trade school classes, focused on maths – never his favourite subject – aren’t too bad. “Because I’m in a situation where I enjoy what I want to do with maths, my lack of enjoyment for numbers has just dissolved away,” Pieran says.
He says it’s also helped a lot that he’s been lucky with his employers. “They’re regularly checking in, just being really helpful and answering my questions,” he says of Master Builders. His current boss from NDK Constructions is “another great person to work with – compassionate, helpful, understanding.”
The future is bright (and full of building projects)
Pieran has big plans for a career in the building industry – project management, running job sites – and thinks seeing more Aboriginal Australians in leadership positions can inspire the next generation: “I think that maybe if us mob saw more Aboriginal people succeeding and being out there, visible on sites, that would be a big encouragement for a lot of people.”
This tradie says “just try it”
Pieran’s advice for anyone thinking about becoming a tradie is to take the leap. “If you enjoy being outside, working with your hands, just give it a try,” he says. “I wasn’t sure about the apprenticeship until I came and tried it. And it’s definitely one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.”
Why the new plan is crucial
Pieran’s lucky break is exactly what South Australia needs more of. That’s why the state government has launched ‘Skilled. Thriving. Connected.‘, a massive plan to overhaul our skills system and open up thousands of new opportunities.
Key sectors desperately need more skilled workers – now and into the future. Employers in building and construction, defence, early childcare education and renewable energy are all struggling to fill positions. This 10-year plan is designed to develop highly adaptable and skilled people that contribute to a thriving South Australia and are supported by a connected skills system.
What are the big changes?
Key reforms include:
- Putting learners first: More support and mentoring to help learners succeed and gain secure, well paid jobs, rather than focussing on training commencements.
- TAFE at the centre: ensure all South Australians have access to a high quality, accessible, and inclusive public provider, with a strong role for not-for-profit, industry and other non-government training providers to complement TAFE SA’s public provider role.
- Quality and integrity: the South Australian Skills Commission will drive quality and integrity assurance of training providers and employers
- Collaboration: through the establishment of the South Australian Skills Commission’s 10 new Industry Skills Councils, employers, unions and industry will help shape the skills system, making sure training aligns with actual job opportunities.
- Targeted investment: Government funding will be directed towards areas where more skilled workers are needed, supporting industries critical to deliver on SA’s priorities.
What else you need to know
The state and federal government’s recent National Skills Agreement provides $2.29 billion to support South Australians with training for secure, well-paid jobs and deliver the reforms outlined in Skilled. Thriving. Connected. This means:
- 150,000 new training places over the next five years so locals can get skilled for sectors where jobs are booming.
- 15,000 extra fee-free TAFE and vocational education places in 2024-26, meaning South Aussies can break into a new career without breaking the bank
- More funding for training providers to address skills shortages through subsidised courses and innovative projects – helping more people like Pieran get qualified for the jobs they want.
Thinking about an apprenticeship, training or upskilling? Start here.
