VET graduates earning more, according to new report
By Greg Chapman
CQUniversity Vocational Education and Training (VET) students and graduates like Jaxson Corby and Katie Somerset are earning more after completing their studies, according to a recent study by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA).
The JSA report, Strong and Responsive VET Pathways, shared findings on the economic, employment and further study outcomes for 2019-20 VET graduates over various student characteristics and about 500 qualifications.
Nationally, the improvement in income, known as the median income uplift, that individuals gain after completing a course, was $11 800 for VET graduates.
The cohorts with the highest median income uplift were apprentices and trainees with an increase of $25 800 and graduate diploma/certificate holders with an uplift of $23 700.
CQU Diploma of Nursing student Katie Somerset, who is 18 months into her training, said her prospects already looked promising.
“I have two (employment) options that I am currently exploring - a grad year position at the Cairns Private hospital, or a grad year position with the Cairns Base Hospital. I am still trying to decide what provides the best options for me and where I would be better suited,” she said.
Katie said she was satisfied with the pay and conditions of both positions which she’d applied for.
“I feel like I will be very financially stable as a graduate,” she said.
“I believe the training from CQU over the past 18 months has been a great learning opportunity for me to further my career."
Diesel Fitter Jaxson Corby completed his apprenticeship training with CQU earlier this year.
“I did my apprenticeship with David Lowry Diesel Fitters in Emerald, and now I’m with Torque Diesel Maintenance,” Jaxson said.
He said the training he received at CQU, and his experience, helped his employment prospects.
“I’m definitely better off (financially) than I was before.”
The report also outlined that regional and remote graduates had a higher median income uplift than those in major cities.
VET qualifications also result in a reduction of reliance on income support. Thirty-nine per cent of students who were on income support before studying were no longer on income support two years after completing their studies.
Employment rates also lift with VET qualifications. Nationally, graduates see an uplift of 15 percentage points to 84 per cent in the year following completion.
CQU Deputy Vice-President of VET & Business Development Peter Heilbuth said the JSA report demonstrated the great value that VET training provides.
“Our VET graduates are earning more than previous years, which in turn helps the local communities in which they work,” he said.
“The training CQU delivers definitely makes our graduates more employable, our industries stronger and bolsters our regional economy, and this report is proof of that.”
Visit the CQU TAFE website for more information.
