Qualifications and the future labour market in Australia
Published November 2006
In November 2006, The Department released a report undertaken by the Monash University-ACER Centre for the Economics of Education and Training (CEET) that provides forecasts on the future demand for training in Australia: Qualifications and the future labour market in Australia
This report assesses the supply of, and requirements for, workers with qualifications in the Australian labour market from 2006 to 2016. It aims to identify any imbalances in the number of people with vocational education and training (VET) qualifications by level. Information in this report can be used to develop training policies and identify targets for further public and private investment in human capital development.
While not all skills are formally recognised, or need to be, a worker’s qualification represents an important signal to the labour market of their human capital potential. They provide essential labour market information to employers in filling vacancies and help individuals develop career paths and seek employment where their productivity and earnings can be increased. Qualifications provide a measure of the output of the training system.
A considerable amount of training occurs outside the formal education and training system, and some people undertake formal training to complete particular units/modules rather than whole qualifications. Hence, the analysis of qualifications contained in this report does not provide the whole picture of training and skills development.
This report has been prepared for the National Training Reform Taskforce to report on the future supply of, and requirements for, vocational education and training (VET) qualifications in Australia. It is intended to inform the next stages of reform of the sector to be considered by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG).
The report if available to view online: