Survey of Vocational and Technical Education (VTE): participation, triggers, perceptions and aspirations

The main purpose of this study was to gather information from young people about their Vocational and Technical Education (VTE) experiences and also from their parents about their perceptions of their children’s VTE experiences.   The study also sought information on the triggers that might lead to VTE participation among young people, and on their desired education and employment outcomes.  This information was collected via a random telephone survey of young Australians aged 15-19 years and their parents/guardians.  A total of 4013 persons were surveyed.

The study found that:

• two-thirds of Australian secondary schools attended by respondents offered VTE programs or courses:
•  ‘Future job opportunities’ was the most common trigger to VTE participation, while ‘VTE enhances the chances of getting a New Apprenticeship’, ‘VTE leads to other types of study’ and ‘VTE uses a hands on approach’ were the main perceived benefits;
• Most teenagers and parents viewed the ‘Quality of VTE teaching staff’ and ‘Potential employment prospects’ as most important in deciding whether or not to participate in VTE;
• Nearly two thirds of teenagers and over three quarters of parents viewed ‘Teachers’ and ‘Written information from schools’ as important sources of information when deciding about VTE participation;
• The proportion of teenagers who anticipated going to university significantly decreased with the degree of geographic remoteness, while the proportion of those who anticipated going to TAFE increased; and

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