Too many young people in NSW are confronted with significant barriers when entering the vocational education and training (VET) sector, and this is especially the case for those experiencing disadvantage. VET plays a vital role for young people in the transition from school to both further education and employment. Difficulties with this transition can result in unemployment, underemployment and social exclusion that may affect young people for the rest of their lives and have long-term undesirable social and economic implications. As a result, it is imperative that young people...  [+] Show more

Too many young people in NSW are confronted with significant barriers when entering the vocational education and training (VET) sector, and this is especially the case for those experiencing disadvantage. VET plays a vital role for young people in the transition from school to both further education and employment. Difficulties with this transition can result in unemployment, underemployment and social exclusion that may affect young people for the rest of their lives and have long-term undesirable social and economic implications. As a result, it is imperative that young people experiencing disadvantage receive specific and targeted supports to overcome the barriers they face to accessing VET. Youth Action, Uniting and Mission Australia collaborated with other sector organisations to better understand the challenges faced by young people who want to complete a VET qualification by conducting community consultations and a sector stakeholder survey. This report is based on the evidence gathered through these consultations, research and literature review.

Excerpt from publication.