Explore All The Options and consider Vocational Education and Training (VET)
National Skills Week: 25–31 August 2025
21 August 2025 – National Skills Week 2025 will be officially launched on Wednesday, August 27, at Hotel Realm in Canberra.
National Skills Week 2025, now in its 15th year, aims to raise the status of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector by raising awareness and educating parents, school leavers, upskillers, career changers and job seekers of the myriad rewarding, lucrative and prestigious career pathways available through VET. It also celebrates the power of vocational education and training to unlock a world of career opportunities, and the importance of VET to Australia’s economy.
The Hon Andrew Giles MP, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, will present opening remarks and participate in a panel discussion at the event, highlighting the national vision for skills development and workforce innovation.
According to Jobs and Skills Australia, 33 per cent of all occupations were experiencing a national skills shortage in 2024, with 46 per cent of those requiring a certificate III qualification with two years on-the-job training, such as an apprenticeship, or a certificate IV qualification[1]. Jobs and Skills Australia’s report Opportunity and Productivity: Towards a Tertiary Harmonisation Roadmap, released in February[2], reveals better connections between VET and higher education will help more people gain the skills and qualifications they need, while potentially lifting workforce productivity and skill levels and helping build the workforce Australia needs in the future. Better connections will also improve access to tertiary education and improve the impact of TAFE and the wider VET system.
The Federal Government is already making a significant investment in vocational education and training, such as its five-year, $30 billion national partnership agreement with state and territory governments to fund VET. The Albanese Government is also investing more than $410 million to help more Australians study for free under its Free TAFE program, that was expanded to include more courses in 2025. The funding will enable TAFE and industry-registered training organisations to offer an extra 20,000 free training places throughout 2025 and 2026, including 5000 pre-apprenticeship places, on top of the 300,000 Fee-Free TAFE places already offered between 2024 and 2026.
The National Skills Week 2025 national launch brings together government representatives, industry leaders, education providers and VET student ambassadors to celebrate achievements and explore future opportunities in vocational education and training. It will include engaging discussions about skills, VET programs and initiatives and networking opportunities.
Event Date: Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Event Time: 7am to 9am
Event Location: Federation Ballroom, Hotel Realm,18 National Circuit, Barton, ACT
National Skills Week Chair Brian Wexham says: “National Skills Week plays a pivotal role in raising awareness on the diversity of careers that can be realised through Vocational Education and Training , highlighting the skills needs of industry , the jobs now and the jobs of the future” Whether you are a high school student or a parent looking to provide guidance to your child ,we invite you to use National Skills Week to explore ALL the options available through Vocational Education and Training (VET) . Check out Free TAFE courses, investigate Apprenticeship Degree Courses, examine courses and careers that connect to a passion. Delve into the diversity offered through VET, get inspired and discover the many rewarding career pathways and options available that will help ensure young Australians are job-ready.
“Supporting National Skills Week aligns with our belief that great technology enables great teaching and learning. We are here to help providers modernise, personalise and deliver skills education at scale.” – Trevor Fairweather, Executive General Manager of Education, ReadyTech
“At Apprenticeship Support Australia, we’re proud to stand alongside National Skills Week in championing the value of apprenticeships and traineeships. These pathways are vital for empowering individuals to build meaningful careers while enabling businesses to grow with confidence. By raising awareness and promoting vocational education, we’re helping shape a skilled, resilient workforce that meets the evolving needs of Australia’s economy”. – Lee Xavier Chief Executive Officer | Apprenticeship Support Australia (ASA)
“For school leavers and mature-age workers alike, a trade career offers real-world skills, job security and a direct path to owning your own business. It’s never too late or too early to start building a career in this industry”. – Jocelyn Martin, Managing Director, Housing Industry Association
National Skills Week 2025 acknowledges the support provided by the Australian Government, and its major partner, ReadyTech.
Who’s Behind National Skills Week?
Supported by the Federal Government (DEWR), State Governments (QLD and NSW), and leading VET organisations, this year’s partners include:
- MEGT
- Apprenticeship Support Australia
- Brick and Block Careers
- Komatsu
- South Australian Skills Commission (SASC)
- Construction Industry Training Board
- TAFE NSW
- Queensland University of Technology
- ReadyTech
- University of Queensland
- Victoria University
- BAE Australia
- Housing Industry Association (HIA)
- Wine Australia
- Adelaide University
- UQ Skills.
Feature Image – Ariah Holmes, Trainee of the Year Award 2024 (Finalist), Diploma of Leadership and Management
