A new initiative launched today by the Turnbull Government will showcase and promote the diverse range of rewarding careers available through vocational education and training.
Assistant Minister for Vocational Education and Skills, Karen Andrews, today launched real skills for real careers to champion the benefits of VET and Australian Apprenticeships.
Speaking at the 2017 Australian Training Awards in Canberra, Minister Andrews said real skills for real careers would feature people sharing their personal VET success stories in videos, podcasts, brochures, posters and across social media.
“For too long, perceptions surrounding VET have been out of step with reality,” Minister Andrews said.
“Many parents are still inclined to encourage their children to go to university after leaving school, rather than consider a VET career pathway. Others are convinced that VET is only for traditional trades like plumbing and carpentry. We need to dispel those myths.
“The fact is that VET qualifications lead to successful, meaningful, professional careers with great salaries and outstanding career prospects.”
Minister Andrews unveiled the first video, starring VET Alumni and Australian Apprenticeships Ambassadors talking passionately and honestly about their experiences.
“The people in these videos exemplify what’s possible through becoming a graduate of Australia’s quality VET sector,” Minister Andrews said.
“We’re also partnering with organisations that reach out to young people on a daily basis, through sport, community programs or mentoring, to extend the real skills for real careers message.”
They are;
• NRL
• AFL SportsReady
• Career Industry Council of Australia
• Foundation for Young Australians
• GO Foundation
• SkillsOne
• Year 13
• Student Edge
• Tradeswomen Australia
• SALT [Supporting and Linking Tradeswomen]
The new initiative also features a refreshed My Skills website, with an improved version of the national directory of VET in Australia.
“The website will now have five clear entry points for different groups of people: those starting, those advancing and those changing their career; parents and career advisors who are guiding a young person through career choices; and employers looking for information on how to up-skill staff,” Minister Andrews said.
To find out more about the initiative, and watch the real skills for real careers video, visit www.myskills.gov.au.