IPQ Key Findings

Key findings

In total, there were 1,304 qualifications, accredited courses and skill sets selected by industry as a priority.
A total of 70 per cent of the priority qualifications identified were a priority for just one industry.
Most industries placed a higher priority on entry level qualifications compared to upskilling qualifications.
Nearly one-in-five priority qualifications are from the Business Services (BSB) training package.
Community Services training package qualifications had the highest share of qualifications rated as essential.
Business Services, ICT and Training and Education qualifications are a priority across all industries.
Most priority qualifications are from national training packages. Very few are accredited courses.
Skill sets account for 20 per cent of essential, high and medium priority qualifications across all industries, although this figure varies substantially between industries.
Less than one-third of all available training package qualifications were selected as an essential, high or medium priority.
Certificate III is the most common qualification level among priority qualifications, followed by Certificate IV and then Diploma.
Many sectors are concerned about the training system’s ability to respond to rapidly changing skills needs.
Several industries raised concern about VET-in-schools students completing qualifications which don’t lead to employment or further training.
Attracting future workers is seen as a major challenge in several industries as they face an ageing workforce, students choosing to pursue university study, and competition from high profile industries such as defence.
The VET sector will play an important role in supporting the growing defence sector in SA, including delivering pathway qualifications in engineering.