Completion rates for vocational education and training in South Australia have reached their strongest point in four years, with new data showing steady improvement across government funded and fee-for-service providers.
The latest figures from the National Centre for Vocational Education and Research show that completion rates for courses begun in 2020 and delivered in South Australia rose from 48.6 per cent to 50.9 per cent. It is the highest result since 2016 and marks a turnaround at a time when industries continue to struggle with workforce shortages.
The uplift comes as the Australian and South Australian Governments move ahead with a joint $37 million investment over four years to lift completions under the $2.3 billion National Skills Agreement. The effort is aimed at supporting students through the personal and financial pressures that often derail training, which in turn affects productivity and limits access to skilled workers.
Government funded VET courses saw a marked rise. Completion rates for qualifications that commenced in 2020 increased to 48.2 per cent, up from 39.1 per cent for the 2019 intake. Improvements were recorded across TAFE, private providers, schools, enterprise training and community education providers. The trend held across groups including women, men, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and learners with a disability.
Projections for future years point to further growth as the 2021 and 2022 cohorts progress through their final stages of study.
South Australia’s Minister for Education, Training and Skills, Blair Boyer, said the momentum reflects a deliberate shift in policy.
“I am pleased completion rates are on the rise – it’s an issue I am proud our government has prioritised since coming to government.”
He said many students face personal barriers that interrupt training, but targeted support can help them stay the course. “Too many students don’t finish their course, often due to personal circumstances. If we provide that extra support, we can shift the dial and have thousands more skilled workers available to tackle skills shortages.”
Mr Boyer added that the new funding will strengthen the measures already in place. “I’m proud of our $37 million investment under the National Skills Agreement to fund initiatives that will make a difference, including peer mentoring, region-specific interventions, tripling wellbeing support, and extra help for apprentices.”
He said the long-term impact will benefit both industry and individual learners. “A higher completion rate alleviates skill shortages in priority industries and gives students better job outcomes – leading to higher wages and more job security.”
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