Career moves: destination and satisfaction survey of 2005 HSC VET students in New South Wales

Vocational education and training (VET) in schools have been used in Australian high schools to help increase school retention. In New South Wales, student participation levels in these subjects have grown considerably, from 16% in 1996 to 44% in 2004. To examine the value of VET subjects to students, a survey was conducted of 6,322 government school students who had undertaken Year 12 in 2005. Interviews were conducted with the students in late 2006 on subject selection, how VET courses affected their decisions on school retention, their transition to apprenticeships and traineeships, their transition to further education, and their current employment/study status. Comparisons are included by gender, region, and VET or non-VET participation.