Skills for All

In reply to the Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (25 September 2014). (First Session)

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Employment, Higher Education and Skills, Minister for Science and Information Economy, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Business Services and Consumers): I have been advised:

VET student outcomes are measured by the Department of State Development using a number of instruments. As I mentioned in my initial response to the Honourable D.W. Ridgway, the increase in the number of people participating in training and education is a success in its own right.

The department uses an annual survey of VET graduate outcomes administered by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the leading authority on VET statistics and research in the country.

The latest figures for 2013 VET graduates show:

78.7% of South Australian graduates were employed after training; which was above, the national average of 77.6%

89.3% of South Australian graduates were employed or engaged in further study after training; which was above the national average of 87.9%

89.5% of South Australian graduates were satisfied with overall quality of training, above the national average of 87.6% and also above the previous year's figure of 88.4%

NCVER will release the results for 2014 VET graduates in December 2015.

In addition to annual student and graduate surveys, the department has conducted numerous graduate surveys. To date, three Independent Validation of Assessment Industry Reports have been completed in the aged care industry, the child care industry and the disability industry, covering four Skills for All courses. These reports are available online at www.skills.sa.gov.au.

The Independent Validation of Assessment Industry Report – Disability Industry—Certificate III in Disability covers students who graduated between 1 November 2012 and 31 March 2014. It found that:

Unemployment amongst respondents to the graduate survey fell from 57% prior to course commencement to 20% after graduation.

Almost 70% of respondents who were unemployed prior to course commencement transitioned into employment, with over 80% employed in disability care or related employment.

The Independent Validation of Assessment—Industry Report—Aged Care Industry—Certificate III in Aged Care covers students who graduated between 1 November 2012 to 31 October 2013. It found that:

Of graduates surveyed, 57% were unemployed before enrolment.

After enrolment, 54% of the unemployed group gained employment in aged care.

The Independent Validation of Assessment—Industry Report—Child Care Industry—Certificate III and Diploma in Children's Services covers students who graduated between 1 November 2012 to 31 March 2014. It found that, in relation to a Certificate III in Children's Services, that:

49% of the graduates surveyed were unemployed prior to enrolment.

56% of those who had been unemployed subsequently gained employment after graduating, and of those, 70% transitioned into a child care role.

It also found, in relation to the Diploma of Children's Service, that:

23% of graduates surveyed for the diploma were unemployed prior to enrolment.

61% of those who had been unemployed gained employment after graduating, and of those, 90% transitioned into a child care role.