VET: A proven pathway to in-demand ECEC jobs

Sunday, October 16, 2022

Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses are developed with the specific goal of employment in mind, and with high job demand in early childhood education and care, there has never been a better time to discover what vocational training has to offer.

Making sure your training prepares you to find meaningful employment after you graduate is important to us. The latest survey results from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) show that Practical Outcomes is achieving strong results, with high numbers of learners gaining employment after their training.

What makes VET stand out

There are many things which make vocational education and training (VET) stand out. The main way in which VET courses differ from those at university and TAFE is that vocational training aims to provide you with a work-oriented skills base that you can use to get a job.

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) like Practical Outcomes carefully design their qualifications to prepare you for work: whether this looks like starting a new job, re-joining the workforce, changing careers or enhancing your desirable skillset in your current role.

The facts: how many people get jobs after their studies

The question you’re probably asking is how many people really get jobs after completing vocational training. Our learners can give you the best answer: according to the results of the latest NCVER survey, a majority of learners experience high employability after they graduate.

• 82.3% of Practical Outcomes graduates improved their employment status after training with us. This is a great result considering the sector average is about 56%.
• 86% of learners found a job once qualified. This means that Practical Outcomes continues to provide training that is relevant to the early childhood education sector, and shows a significantly higher rate than the VET sector average of around 70%.
• 63.9% of our learners who were not employed before their training gained a job after training with Practical Outcomes. This is a great result and shows that we’re successfully preparing people for the workplace.

The best type of training

It’s no secret that ECEC currently faces a nationwide skills shortage. We’ve been hearing a lot about the high demand for skilled workers, and the only way to alleviate the pressure on child care services is to ensure more workers are being trained to meet the sector’s needs.

Selmar is working with ECEC sector partners to provide a pipeline of skilled workers to overwhelmed centres by focusing on practical skills and employment pathways. One of the key ways we prepare learners for work is through practical placement and traineeships, giving them hands-on experience of a real workplace to ensure a high level of employability once qualified.

The benefits of VET

Becoming qualified through vocational training can be a rewarding experience on many levels. Here are just a few things you can expect from a VET course:

Flexibility

VET is accessible and suited to many people. With a range of study modes available you can discover a course option which aligns with your particular needs, circumstances and values – whether this looks like balancing life and study via online learning or immersing yourself in the workplace with a traineeship.

A streamlined experience

Unlike university or TAFE courses, which can take many years to complete and may require graduates to undertake further study to become qualified, VET courses are designed so that you can start work right away. Most of our courses at Practical Outcomes take about a year to complete, and you’ll be eligible for employment as soon as you have your qualification.

Opportunities to upskill

Once you’ve got the minimum qualification you can enhance your employability by upskilling. VET provides multiple opportunities to grow your skillset with further qualifications and short courses.

Practical skills

VET’s key advantage is its practical focus, which cannot be underestimated when it comes to working in early childhood edcuation. During your course you’ll be provided with the practical knowledge and hands-on training required to excel in early learning settings.

Support from dedicated trainers

Our dedicated trainers have valuable experience working in the industry and are happy to share it with their learners.

Hands-on experience

Practical placement enables you to experience what it’s like being employed in a real workplace. We also offer traineeships so you can earn money while gaining valuable skills on the job.

Pathway to employment

With practical skills, workplace experience and the support of trainers, VET learners have a clear advantage when it comes to getting a job once qualified.

Is VET right for you?

VET sector training focuses on getting you into the workforce, and for this reason it is the best type of training to undertake if you are interested in enhancing your employability both now and in the future.

Tracking our progress

Early childhood education and care faces continues to face pressing challenges surrounding skills and staff shortages. Vocational training has an important job to do in supporting the sector by providing capable and dedicated workers to satisfy demand.

The results of the NCVER survey are helpful in providing information which allows us to track our progress, strive for success and identify areas for change. It’s good to know that Practical Outcomes is giving learners every opportunity to become employed once qualified. We’re proud to say our learners are satisfied, and feedback like this helps us to keep improving.

Your pathway to employment

Becoming an early childhood educator is rewarding on many levels, and now is a great time to take advantage of everything vocational training has to offer.

Get in touch if you are interested in joining a sector where you’ll enjoy high employability and the opportunity to love the work you do.