More students turn to VET as practical learning surges in popularity

Victorian senior secondary students are embracing Vocational Education and Training (VET) in record numbers, signalling a major shift toward practical, career‑focused learning.

As young people look for real experience and clearer pathways into meaningful work, the VET Delivered to School Students (VDSS) program is becoming one of the most powerful tools available to them during their final years at school.

And the numbers tell a compelling story.

In 2024, VET in Schools participation climbed to 266,765 students nationally — a 5.8% jump from the previous year and the highest level since reporting began.¹ Victoria outpaced this national trend with 7.4% growth, meaning nearly one in four Victorian senior students are now choosing to include VET as part of their schooling.

Early indicators suggest the momentum isn’t slowing.
Across the IntoWork Group, iTFE and AGA are already seeing strong enrolment growth for 2026. iTFE alone has recorded a 120% increase, highlighting a clear shift in how young people want to prepare for life after school.

According to iTFE VDSS Coordinator Kathy Bakopoulos, the appeal is simple: students want real skills, real workplaces and real opportunities.

“Our strong connection with industry and our existing relationships with council, businesses and community organisations, ensures our students gain a true sense of what it would be like to work in that sector” Ms Bakopoulos said. “Our students are taken into Industry, to meet with employers and visit workplaces each semester whilst completing their course. Students who successfully complete their studies and maintain a keen interest by the end of their studies lead to promising employment opportunities.”

To meet demand, iTFE has focused its delivery on areas experiencing workforce shortages, including Allied Health, Community Services and Supply Chain. Courses are delivered either within school environments or through local school clusters, with trainers attending onsite to create a consistent, supportive experience for students who are genuinely motivated to pursue these pathways.

Meanwhile, AGA continues to provide specialised pathways for students interested in trades. With purpose-built training facilities and programs in construction, plumbing and electrical trades, AGA will train 1,585 students from 90 schools across 17 Victorian locations this year.

iTFE CEO Craig McGrath says the rise of VDSS reflects the readiness of young people to engage in more applied, practical forms of education.

“Each subject is designed to give students a clearer understanding and insight into what work in that field actually looks like,” he said. “By the time they finish their VCE, they’re more confident, better prepared and already equipped with a recognised qualification.”

As demand for skilled workers continues across Victoria, the VDSS program is not only supporting the development of future professionals – it is helping students build confidence, capability and genuine pathways into meaningful employment.

^{1 www.ncver.edu.au/research-and-statistics/publications/all-publications/vet-in-schools-2024}