Factors that influence education, skills and training choices of young people

1. How do these factors impact their early career pathway choices?

2. Can AI and government data be used to predict future likely choices of young people or the link between those choices and success?

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics’ Survey of Education and Work, of the 15-20 year-olds who finished school in 2022, 53% were engaged in post-school study in 2023 (including higher education and TAFE courses), while 46% were not.

The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR) is interested in the different decisions made by young people regarding their careers and the factors that impact these decisions.

The factors that influence these decisions may include their own and/or their immediate family’s:

• previous educational attainment
• employment situation – both current and historical
• financial situation
• health (including disability) situation and/or
• housing situation.

Does geography/location within Australia play a part?
What are young people’s thoughts on the likely/expected employment and financial outcomes from post-school education/qualifications.
Do young people perceive that post-school education is ‘worth the money’ in the short/long run? That is, do they expect to earn more money and/or have better employment prospects with a post-school qualification?
The DEWR is also interested in any other support mechanisms that may have been used by young people such as career advice or employment programs, and have they improved their outcomes/decisions?
The DEWR is open to interpretations of how to qualify and quantify these decisions.

Submissions should include but not be restricted to:

1. A powerpoint that summarises the approach and details the factors and their influence on education and training choices of young people.
2. A model that uses AI and government data to predict future likely choices of young people when making education and training decisions and that provides insights into potential employment and financial outcomes.

The scope includes Vocational Education and Training, higher education and apprenticeships.

The project aligns with the DEWR’s mission “to support people in Australia to have safe, secure and well-paid work with the skills for a sustainable future”.

External Links
Department of Employment and Workplace Relations site