Australia relies on vocational education to build its future workforce, but declining enrolments in full qualifications risk deepening skills shortages in construction, care, clean energy and other critical industries.

New UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is vowing to raise the profile of vocational education, saying Britain should “value the hard hat every bit as much as the graduation cap”.

Australia should take notice.

Many of the occupations Australia will need to grow over the coming decades depend on VET (vocational education and training) qualifications. Building more homes and infrastructure means expanding the construction workforce. As the population ages, we will need more healthcare and aged care workers. The energy transition depends heavily on electricians, technicians and other VET-trained workers.

At first glance, Australia’s VET system looks well placed to respond.

VET reaches almost every corner of our economy. It supports school leavers entering the workforce, experienced workers changing careers, employees updating their skills, and professionals maintaining occupational accreditation.

The educator providing care and supporting the early learning of our young children, the electrician restoring power after a storm, the milliner preparing hats for........

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