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.
A three-stream approach to research
- Stream 1 (October 2024– June 2025): Undertake industry-specific VET workforce studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of industry-specific influences and roles in the VET workforce
- Stream 2 (July 2025 – September 2025): Investigate industry-specific VET workforce challenges and issues and identify industry-led responses
- Stream 3 (October 2025 – March 2026): Investigate and support industry specific VET workforce pathways and pipeline and identify industry-led actions
Current consultation opportunities: Stream 2 of research
Online workshops (August 2025)
We want to connect with key industry stakeholders and VET teachers, trainers and assessors in the care and support sectors, i.e. aged and disability support, children’s education and care, health, human (community) services, and sports and recreation through an online workshop.
The purpose of the session is to ensure our next research streams align with and reflect industry and registered training organisation (RTO) needs in our sectors.
Register your interest in participating in our 1 hour online workshop to discuss key challenges in your sector and solutions currently in place by emailing us at [email protected].
Short survey (August 2025)
We will soon open a short survey to capture industry and RTO needs to attract, retain and grow the VET workforce.
Future consultation: Stream 3 (October 2025 – March 2026)
We will look to partner with key industry organisations to pilot and test industry-led responses and solutions. To register your interest in partnering with us, please email [email protected].
Past consultation: Stream 1 of research
Thank you to all the current and recent VET professionals and organisations who completed our Stream 1 surveys, workshops and interviews between October 2024 and April 2025.
The research for Stream 1 is now complete and report has been submitted to the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
Care and Support VET workforce snapshot report (April 2025)
Our snapshot report is based on national surveys and workshops with the care and support VET workforce, i.e. aged and disability services, children's education and care, health, human (community) services, and sport and recreation. Thank you to all who participated in our research.
Snapshot report
Care and Support VET workforce Stream 1 report (June 2025)
The research for Stream 1 is now complete and a report has been submitted to the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workforce Relations. Once finalised, this report will be shared with stakeholders on our website.
Project timeline
- October 2024 (Stream 1): Kick off and literature review
- October 2024 – November 2024 (Stream 1): 9 x online and in person 2-hour discovery workshops
- November 2024 (Stream 1): 13 x online 45-minute interviews
- November 2024 – December 2024 (Stream 1): 2 x demographic and diversity surveys (334 professionals, 191 organisations)
- March 2025 – April 2025 (Stream 1): 1 x VET professionals recruitment and retention survey (517 responses)
- June 2025 (Stream 1): Stream 1 report submitted
- August - September 2025 (Stream 2): 5 – 10 x 1-hour online workshops
- August 2025 (Stream 2): 2 – 5 minute survey
- October 2025 – March 2026 (Stream 3): Ongoing stakeholder and industry consultation
- March 2026 (All streams): Deliver final report and recommendations