The value of completing a vocational education and training qualification

Abstract

Using wage data from the Student Outcomes Survey and the national vocational education and training (VET) collection conducted annually by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), this study examines whether there is a benefit to actually completing a VET qualification, noting that many VET students do not complete full qualifications. It is important to acknowledge that VET is very varied in terms of motivation and educational background. Returns to study also vary, and analysis indicates that low-level qualifications (certificates I and II) appear to have little return. This report is useful to policy-makers in terms of defining performance indicators for the sector and also in terms of thinking about resourcing and fee models for the sector.