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If you want to take the next steps to advance your career, re-skill, up-skill, or re-enter the workforce after a long absence, there are a range of flexible learning options available through VET to help you.

What is VET?

VET, or vocational education and training, offers nationally recognised training and qualifications across a range of industries such as information technology, avionics, building and construction, business,  nursing, aged care fashion design and floristry - just to name a few.

As My Skills will show you, there are thousands of qualifications to choose from ranging from Certificate I to Certificate IV, and Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Diploma and Graduate Certificate. Unlike other learning options, VET lets you undertake partial qualifications, short courses, skill sets and units of competency, allowing you to gain the specific skills you need, when you need them.

VET qualifications are available through registered training organisation (RTOs). These may also be known as training organisations or providers. RTOs can be TAFE institutes, private colleges, adult and community education providers, or secondary colleges and schools. You can train directly through an RTO or you can earn while you learn through an apprenticeship or traineeship.

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THERE ARE MANY WAYS TO SUCCEED.

Real Skills for Real Careers

Benefits of VET

The skills you’ll need for the career advancement you want!

The great benefit of VET for career advancers is that it is flexible. VET acknowledges that life gets busy and everyone learns in different ways. To help you meet your career and life goals, many VET qualifications offer a range of learning options that may help you to fit your learning around work, family and other commitments.

VET may also be a great way to start your education journey if you are thinking about continuing on to a university degree.

VET qualifications can be offered full-time, part-time via flexible delivery such as e-learning or by gaining recognition for your work and life experiences to help you achieve your qualification faster.

Depending on the training provider, some qualifications may have the flexibility for you to study through a range of delivery methods. These include open learning, online modules, classroom, workshop or office based settings, or even a combination of these options.

Registered training organisations (RTOs) come in a range of different types and sizes. If you are re-entering the workforce after a long absence, or hesitant about re-skilling or up-skilling, there are RTOs who can offer VET qualifications in a supportive environment with small class sizes and flexible learning options to suit your needs.

Vocational education and training

  • Nationally recognised, transferable and valued by employers
  • Sets you apart from the competition
  • Tailored to your learning needs
  • Cost-effective

Increase your competitive edge for today’s competitive job market.

Think

Think about your future goals and where you want your career to take you. If you are currently employed, talk to your supervisor about your goals – ask about career development opportunities or even a promotion!

Share

Share your career aspirations with a mentor who works in your industry – ask for advice on how to meet your career goals.

Use My Skills

Use My Skills to find a qualification that will give you the hands-on knowledge and experience necessary to help you achieve your career goals.

VET can lead to fantastic employment opportunities for its graduates – watch the following stories and see for yourself.

Be inspired to enrol in a qualification  and get the skills you need to start your career.


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Philadelphia’s Story

“VET gives people the opportunity to start or further their careers from any point, even if they haven’t finished school.”

VET Qualification: Certificate IV in Frontline Management

Career: Frontline Manager

Philadelphia wanted to progress in her career, so she decided to complete a qualification in frontline management. She enrolled in the VET qualification to show her manager that she was serious about her career in management, and she is now undertaking a degree through the Northern Territory Public Sector Indigenous Cadetship Support Program.

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Brendan’s Story

“The VET training sector is always a great stepping stone into further training.”

VET Qualification: Certificate IV in Youth Work

Career: Youth Worker

Brendan was working in youth services and wanted to further his knowledge of the sector, so he undertook a VET qualification in youth work at age 46. The qualification provided him with a professional grounding in youth work, and he hopes to continue his learning journey by completing a Bachelor of Social Work in the future.

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Sharine's Story

"If you've got a passion stick with it. You'll always get what you want so long as you actually say ‘I can and I will do it. Don't ever let somebody tell you that just because you have a specific gender you can't do something. You can always prove them wrong!” 

VET Qualification: Diploma of Management

Career: Business Owner

Sharine Milne spent 10 years in a different industry before completing an Australian Apprenticeship to become a motorcycle mechanic. Now, after completing a Diploma of Business, she owns the company where she trained.

Apprenticeships & Traineeships

Gaining a VET qualification through an Australian Apprenticeship (apprenticeship or traineeship) gives you the opportunity to train, study and earn an income at a variety of qualification levels in most occupations. Apprenticeships and traineeships combine time at work with training, and can be full-time, part-time or school-based.

Search Apprenticeship & Traineeship Courses


Skills for your Career

If you’ve decided it’s time to improve your career prospects, My Skills can help you find the qualification to match. You can search for VET qualifications and compare information such as fees, durations, graduate satisfaction, and available subsidies.

There are different ways to search for VET qualifications on My Skills.


Course Search

Search for keywords in course titles, such as 'information technology' or 'avionics':

Browse Industries

Explore courses that have been developed for particular industry sectors:

Local Providers

Once you’ve found the right qualification, My Skills can help you find a suitable training provider that offers it – there may even be an online study option.

Click the ‘location’ icon , and My Skills will show you all the training providers in your area.

Need help choosing a training provider? Download a factsheet and comparison table to assist you with comparing training providers and making a decision: Choosing a Training Provider.


Financial Assistance

The qualification you have chosen may be eligible for a VET Student Loan (VSL) to help with tuition fees, or it may be subsidised by your state or territory government. Look out for the 'VSL' and ‘Subsidies’ icons when searching for qualifications in My Skills. More information is available on the Financial Assistance Page.


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Subsidised Training

Some VET qualifications are subsidised by state and territory governments. This subsidy is paid to training providers to reduce (or cover) any tuition fees associated with the qualification. Look out for the ‘Subsidies’ icon when you’re searching for qualifications in My Skills. Eligibility rules apply to subsidies, so you will need to contact your training provider to confirm your eligibility.

VET Student Loans

If you enrol in an ‘approved’ Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma, you may be eligible for a VET Student Loan to pay your tuition fees. Look out for the ‘VSL’ icon when you’re searching for qualifications in My Skills. There’s even a handy ‘Calculator’ to identify what your initial debt will be.

Resources

With so much information about careers, it’s hard to know where to start or where to look.
Here’s a few sites you may find useful once you’ve found the right VET course and training provider on My Skills.
For more information about careers, please visit the Your Career website.


Australian Apprenticeships

Provide quick and easy access to information regarding Australian Apprenticeships. 

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Job Active

An Australian Government website that connects job seekers with employers and is delivered by a network of jobactive providers across Australia.

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Job Jumpstart

An Australian Government website created to assist you in your job search and help you build your employability skills.

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Your Career

An Australian Government website that provides information about Australian careers, labour market trends and employment projections. 

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Study Assist

An Australian Government website with information for students about government assistance for financing tertiary study.

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Unique Student Identifier

A reference number made up of ten numbers and letters that all students doing nationally recognised training need to have. 

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