The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has released two recent reports on Indigenous VET participation and outcomes.
The first report, Indigenous VET participation, completion and outcomes: change over the past decade, examines Indigenous participation and completion in VET as well as the employment, further study and personal outcomes of training over the last decade. The report finds that although participation in VET is high, with a trend toward a greater proportion of enrolments at higher levels (certificate III and above), employment outcomes remain lower for Indigenous graduates compared with non-Indigenous graduates.
The second report, Enhancing training advantage for remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander learners, identifies how retention and completion rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders participating in VET programs in remote communities can be improved and what other indicators of success are important outcomes of training in remote communities. Factors contributing to retention include: trainer qualities and characteristics of delivery; family and community support; training and administrative coordination; and a sense of community and solidarity with other students. Indicators of successful outcomes from training include: enhanced self confidence and identity; development of foundation skills such as literacy, numeracy and communication; the extent of local community ownership with training connected to aspects of culture and local knowledge; and training that leads to improved employment prospects.