We desperately need skilled workers. So why is vocational education treated as the ‘back‑up plan’ for school leavers?

"Vocational Programs in Crisis: Why Skilled Trades Are Being Overlooked" A stark reality is emerging in the world of education, where students who complete vocational programs and enter the workforce are largely absent from front-page news. Despite constant government promises to prioritize skilled trades and address the growing skills gap, the stories of those who have successfully transitioned from classroom to career are few and far between. This phenomenon raises important questions about the effectiveness of vocational education and the challenges faced by students who choose this path. As governments continue to tout the benefits of vocational training, it's time to shine a spotlight on the successes and failures of these programs.

What you almost never see on the front page is a student who finished a vocational program and walked straight into skilled work. This doesn’t make sense. There is constant commentary from governments ...