The economic slump has seen the number of VET graduates employed after training decrease. According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research’s 2009 Student Outcomes Survey, 77.8% of graduates were employed after training, compared to 80.7% in 2008.

Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER said the impact of the economic downturn has been felt.
“This year it was harder for graduates to find work after finishing their training,especially for those who did not have a job before starting their training,” Dr Karmel said.

In 2009, for graduates who were not employed before training, there was a decrease of 5.6 percentage points in finding a job after their training compared to last year. However, not everyone has been affected by the economic conditions.

Outcomes for trade apprentice and trainees have been relatively unaffected by the downturn.Despite a general decline in employment after training, graduates were positive about
their training. Satisfaction across the board remains high, with over 89% of all graduates satisfied with the overall quality of their training.

To download a copy of Australian vocational education and training statistics: Student outcomes 2009 visit www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2180.html