National Skills Week 2022

Welcome to National Skills Week

National Skills Week is dedicated to raising the profile and status of vocational learning dispelling outdated myths and showcasing the attractive career opportunities for all Australians.

Vocational Education and Training (VET) has been the foundation of Australia’s strong and vibrant economy. It has produced industry leaders, it offers great diversity, new and exciting career paths, supports our resources and primary industries, builds our cities, supports our tourism, our monuments, our heritage and much, much more.

This years theme is A Universe of Skills: Go Beyond Your Imagination

Learn More

Spotlight

Spotlight on National Skills Week

National Skills Week E-News, July 2022

Newsletters
July 29th, 2022

National Skills Week is three weeks away! Check out our resources and join the celebration. CLICK HERE to read our July newsletter.

Get Involved in 2022. Join in the celebrations!

Video Gallery
April 1st, 2022

National Skills Week 2022 theme- A Universe of Skills: Go beyond your imagination. Discover careers, pathways and opportunities in skills and Vocational Education that you may not know about, thought about or even imagined. Careers in emerging industries and areas , new technology , future skills and jobs. Lets explore! August 22 to 28th...

The Skillsroad 2021/22 Employment Survey Report link

News and media
July 7th, 2022

The Skillsroad 2021/22 Employment Survey Report is finally here! Get valuable insights into the mind of our young job-seekers and understand what they want from Australian employers. SkillsRoad Out-of-this-world insights into the future of our youth After surveying over 5000 people at the end of 2021, they have collated data that shows just what job-seekers...

Great news: Thousands of apprentices, trainees and employees to benefit from digital skills pilot project

News and media
July 7th, 2022

A fantastic Initiative The Digital Skills Organisation (DSO) and the National Apprentice Employment Network (NAEN) today announced the establishment of a pilot program to examine ways to better assess, incorporate and fast-track digital skills in the apprenticeship sector. At a time when digital skills are becoming increasingly important, the pilot project will enable large numbers of...

National Skills Commission report: The State of Australia’s skills 2021: now and into the future

News and media
July 7th, 2022

The National skills commission report State of Australia’s Skills 2021: now and into the future finds the shape of Australia’s workforce is changing as our labour market responds to big forces like an ongoing shift to services and higher skilled jobs, advances in technology and growing automation. 2021 State of Australia’s Skills A December Labour Market...

Kickstarting careers and gaining qualifications, all while you’re still at school

News and media
August 5th, 2022

Thousands of Australian high school students are getting a taste of their desired careers, a head start on the study and training required for these jobs, or basic practical skills to help them get started in the world of work. They are completing vocational education and training qualifications while they are still at school, and...

Career Stories

Take a look at some success stories from the VET Alumni.

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Stuart Rimmington2021 SA VET Teacher/Trainer of the Year

"If I can impact one student’s future career the way my lecturers shaped mine, I will be able to retire knowing I’ve done something worthy."

Harrison Sanders2021 SA Apprentice of the Year

"I want to be the positive influence that can guide and inform students to being successful and valuable members of society."

Samantha Daly 2021 Australian Training Awards Vocational Student of the Year

Samantha applied to study the dual Certificate IV in Mental Health and Mental Health Peer Work with Swinburne University of Technology in 2020, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began to sweep across the world. She had lost her job like many Victorians, however Samantha used this moment as an opportunity to reflect on what she truly wanted in life.

Mitchell Pogan2021 QLD Trainee of the Year

Mitchell Pogan wanted to find a career opportunity that would allow him to remain close to his home town of Miles QLD, while undertaking work that allowed him to give back to this rural community.

Kasey Hardy2021 Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

For Kasey, a traineeship offered the perfect opportunity to work in the real world. Kasey chose the resources sector to learn more about natural gas extraction, particularly about its impact on the environment and, through another traineeship, is now continuing her Workplace Health and Safety studies.

Rachael Kelly2021 SA School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

"I hope to turn this traineeship into full-time employment and one day perhaps own a local real estate business."

Savanne Canobie 2021 Australian Apprentice of the Year

Savanne has completed her Certificate III in Electrotechnology Electrician qualification at Rio Tinto Gove Operations in North East Arnhem Land.

Erin Jacob2021 NSW VET/Teacher Trainer of the Year

"By passing on my industry knowledge and skills, I get to make a difference in student’s lives every single day. I am able to guide them on the many pathways VET offers."

Gypsy Rose Blackberry2021 TAS Vocational Student of Year

"VET gave me the opportunity to discover a career pathway I'm highly passionate and dedicated about. I was able to complete my studies flexibly while working part-time and this really helped in my success."

Hannah Holford2021 Australian School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Hannah completed the Certificate III in Individual Support with Quest Training Solutions. She is employed by the Australian Training Company and has undertaken her work placement at Carey Gardens, in association with Baptist Care.

Sophie Russell2021 TAS Apprentice of the Year

After commencing a Carpentry apprenticeship as a school leaver, Sophie knew this was the profession for her. Sophie believes that having a can-do positive attitude, coupled with a willing to give anything a crack, continues to grow her success.

David Lowery2021 TAS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Student of the Year

David chose to study Certificate IV in Forest Operations when he was working in the forest industry as a supervisor. Training helped him understand more about his position and the way he could improve the way he worked in all aspects of the industry, from safety to the management of workers.

Kevin Wilson2021 WA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander of the Year

Growing up a Wongai man in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, Kevin has always been interested in art and design—although early on, his outlet was graffiti. After a few too many run-ins with the police, however he realised he needed to find a better way to express his creative talents.

Courtney Simone Short2021 WA School-based Apprentice or Trainee of the Year

Throughout her school life at Mercy College, Courtney assumed that she would complete a university pathway. Then at an information night in Year 10, she heard about the success of a Year 12 student who was completing a School-based Apprenticeship.

Kat Haag2015 WA Vocational Student of the Year

It is not a typical scenario for a Year 11 'dropout' to become a 'compulsive student' later in life, but Katherine Haag is not your typical student.
A finalist in the Australian Training Awards Vocational Student of the Year Award in 2015, Katherine has completed seven vocational education and training (VET) qualifications.

Kirsty Potter2018 Australian Apprentice (Trainee) of the Year Award Finalist

"My traineeship has been one of the best decisions I have made for both my career and my life. I found a place where I could study in a way that fit my personality, without having to leave the workforce. I learned so many skills that have helped me through my life and I am so grateful for the qualifications and career I now have."

Troy Harris2021 NSW Apprentice of the Year

"I discovered my strengths, worked on my weaknesses and developed my passions."

Video Gallery

Watch videos from our video library

Brick and Block Careers Ambassador - Chelsea Whelan

Video Gallery
July 14th, 2022

Hear from Chelsea Whelan (Brick and Block Careers Ambassador) about her passion for the trade! Chelsea is the first woman in Tasmania to take on and complete her bricklaying apprenticeship, who says “it’s exactly the same as any other bloke going for the job,” Chelsea decided to follow in her father and grandfather’s footsteps, both...

The Digi-Toolbox - Digital upskilling has never been so important!

Video Gallery
July 14th, 2022

Digital upskilling has never been so important. The Digital Skills Organisation (DSO) have launched the Digi-Toolbox to close the national digital skills gap and improve digital capability for all. Employers can use the tools, which include an assessment, to understand the digital skills status of their own organisations or allow individuals to gain a better...

Empowering Women in Trades

Video Gallery
July 28th, 2022

Apprenticeship Support Australia are working to foster important conversations around women in trades. Supporting more women in pursuing an apprenticeship in trades will not just benefit your business, but also the wider society as a whole – because when individuals do well, the communities around them also thrive. The video below follows the career journey...