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Growing, retaining and developing the care and support VET workforce

We are undertaking extensive research in collaboration with the people and organisations that deliver vocational education and training (VET) to ensure the sustainability of the current and future workforce.

Our research aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the VET workforce across Aged Care and Disability Support, Children’s Education and Care, Health, Human Services and Sport and Recreation sectors and the challenges associated with attracting and keeping people in those roles.

Swipe or Click across the tabs to view active and completed project stages.

Responding to the VET Workforce Blueprint

Our research is one of the initial actions set out in the VET Workforce Blueprint, developed by the Australian Government in collaboration with states and territories, to provide a roadmap to grow, support and sustain the VET workforce.

HumanAbility is one of the Jobs and Skills Councils to receive government funding under the blueprint to identify and respond to VET workforce challenges within our sectors.

Overall research aims and objectives

The project will run from October 2024 to mid-2026 and will explore:

  • workforce demographics and the range of VET roles and responsibilities.
  • VET workforce challenges and issues and potential responses to these
  • pathways and a pipeline to the VET Workforce and identifying industry-led actions to support this.

At the end of the project, HumanAbility aims to identify :

  • effective and specific initiatives to build and develop the care and support VET workforce
  • attraction and retention strategies, including for under-represented groups
  • succession planning, including for small and niche industries within the care and support sector, and where there are ageing workforces
  • industry compacts and opportunities for VET teachers, trainers and assessors to maintain industry currency.

Objectives for the first phase of research

The first phase of research will run from October 2024 to mid-2025 and will develop a comprehensive understanding of the VET workforce in our sectors.

Specifically, the first phase will:

  • determine data and knowledge gaps within our sectors
  • identify the demographics and diversity of our sectors
  • understand and define key drivers affecting attention, retention and attrition within our VET workforce.

The findings will steer the next phases of research and ultimately provide an evidence base for further responses to support the growth and sustainability of the VET workforce.

Fact sheet

 

The findings of this first phase of research will guide the next stages of the project into 2026, which will investigate the challenges and issues specific to each industry and investigate industry-led responses.

A reference group will be established comprising representatives from TAFEs and private registered training organisations (RTOs), Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO) RTOs, union and peak bodies.

We are engaging with VET teachers, trainers, assessors and heads of faculties and coordinators from TAFE, RTOs and ACCO RTOs across our sectors to share their insights and contribute to our research.

Stakeholder workshops (in person)

  • TAFE, RTO and ACCO RTO Faculty heads and coordinators
    November - December 2024

One-to-one interviews (online)

  • TAFE, RTO and ACCO RTO Faculty heads and coordinators
    November - December 2024
  • VET workforce (e.g. teachers, trainers and assessors) 
    November - December 2024

Focus group (online)

  • VET workforce (e.g. teachers, trainers and assessors)
    February 2025

Demographics and diversity online surveys

  • TAFE, RTO and ACCO RTO Faculty heads and coordinators
    November - December 2024
  • VET workforce (e.g. teachers, trainers and assessors)
    November - December 2024

Attraction, retention and attrition online survey

  • VET workforce (e.g. teachers, trainers and assessors)
    April 2025

Project timeline

  • Project Kick Off

    VET Workforce Blueprint released.

    HumanAbility VET workforce research project launched.

  • Workshops, Interviews and Surveys

    Stakeholder workshops and one-to-one interviews with faculty heads and coordinators of RTOs and TAFEs.

    Two online demographic and diversity surveys open to:

    • faculty heads and coordinators of RTOs and TAFEs
    • teachers, assessors and trainers

  • Focus Group

    Focus group to identify initial drivers for attraction, retention and attrition in the VET workforce to test in research.

  • Survey

    Attraction, retention and attrition online survey open to teachers, assessors and trainers.

  • Interviews

    In depth qualitative interviews to ‘deep dive’ into drivers of attraction, retention and attrition.

  • Analysis of Research

    Finalisation of findings from the first stage of research.

  • Next Steps

    Subsequent stages of research.

How to get involved

We encourage stakeholder and VET workforce participation from all relevant sectors across Australia. Please register to stay across project updates and opportunities to be involved.

Sign up for project updates

Contact details

[email protected]