Strong growth in government funding training activity, latest NCVER stats reveal

South Australia continues to punch above its weight in Vocational Education and Training (VET), recording strong growth in government-funded VET activity, including increases in student numbers, and program and subject enrolments.

The latest national training stats released today by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show South Australia has seen an increase in

the number of government-funded VET students of 15.2 per cent.

“With South Australia having the fastest growing economy in the nation it is critical that our training system is providing the skilled workforce necessary to fill the tens of thousands of jobs on offer,” Minister for Innovation and Skills David Pisoni said.

The NCVER’s release has SA ranked second nationally in terms of the percentage increase in the number of subject enrolments (280,455 SA government-funded subject enrolments – an increase of 68,480 or 32.3 per cent compared to 2020), as well as program enrolments delivered by non-government providers (an increase of 46.8 per cent, or 7,460 to 23,400).

The data also reveals SA recorded strong increases in school-enrolled VET students, apprentices and trainees, Aboriginal students, and female students in the first six months of 2021 compared with the same time in 2020.

Minister Pisoni said increase in the number of students undertaking government-funded VET is a testament to the state’s training system: “The skills students are learning in VET courses will help to ensure our skills-led recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is a success,” Minister Pisoni said.

“South Australia’s performance on the national scale is evidence of the quality – and demand – of the VET sector here.

“In terms of the number of government-funded VET subject enrolments in the first six months of the year, SA has recorded an increase of 32.3 per cent - this is ahead of all other states and territories apart from the ACT.

“As our state’s borders open up and restrictions ease, it is imperative that we ensure South Australians have access to the training and skills they need to start a career or if they are seeking a career change.

“The Marshall Liberal Government’s $200 million Skilling South Australia program has been critical to delivering these results and supporting jobs, by delivering the skilled workforce that industry needs.

“We’re focused on growing all sectors of the South Australian economy as we navigate the greatest economic challenge of our time, which is why we continue to partner with industry to deliver more skilled pathways into jobs in defence, space, cyber security, health and medical technologies, and the creative industries.

“The success of Skilling South Australia is evident – there are now 3,000 business that have employed an apprentice or trainee for the first time since the program began in 2018.”