Australia's vocational education and training (VET) workforce plays a vital role in developing the skilled workers our industries rely on. Yet our consultation consistently showed that careers in VET are rarely straightforward. Trainers and assessors enter the profession from diverse industry backgrounds, often without a clear understanding of teaching practice, opportunities beyond training delivery, or the support available throughout their careers.
To better understand these experiences and identify practical ways to strengthen the workforce, AUSMASA responded and undertook the VET Workforce Blueprint project.
"The VET Workforce Blueprint was never intended to be just another research project. From the outset, our goal was to create practical resources that trainers, assessors and RTOs could use every day to strengthen capability, support career development, and improve outcomes across the sector."
– Dr Gavin Lind, Chief Executive Officer, AUSMASA
Over nearly 2 years, the project brought together trainers, assessors, RTO leaders, employers, industry representatives and government through interviews, surveys, workshops and a national consultation. Participants shared their experiences of entering the sector, building capability, maintaining industry currency, balancing increasing responsibilities and planning for future career opportunities.
While every journey was different, common themes emerged. Participants highlighted opportunities to strengthen VET capability, including train-the-trainer skills, well-being and support, such as increased mentoring, industry engagement and currency, and career pathways.
These insights have now been brought together in the Trainer and Assessor VET Career Framework and the new Resource Hub.
The Framework details key opportunities to support and grow your VET Workforce across 4 interconnected themes:
- VET capability
- Wellbeing and support
- Industry
- Career.
Each theme is explored across 4 career stages, from those entering the profession to experienced practitioners and leaders. It isn't intended to be followed like a career ladder. Instead, it recognises that the priorities, challenges and opportunities people experience evolve throughout their careers, helping individuals and organisations identify the support and resources most relevant to them.
Building on this Framework, the Resource Hub brings together more than 100 practical resources developed through the project, including guidance documents, planning tools, templates, videos, podcasts, and resources for trainers, assessors, managers, industry, and RTOs.
Every resource is mapped to the Framework, making it easy to explore content by theme, focus area, career stage, audience and resource type. Whether you're looking to strengthen your teaching practice, support your team, build stronger industry connections or plan your next career step, the Hub helps you quickly find resources that match your needs.
Most importantly, these resources have been developed with the sector and for the sector. They reflect the experiences, ideas, and priorities shared throughout the consultation process and are designed to provide practical support for workplaces across Australia.
The VET Workforce Resource Hub will provide valuable support to trainers, assessors, managers and RTOs long after the project concludes. We encourage you to explore the Framework, access the resources and apply them to strengthen professional practice, organisational capability and career development.
Explore the AUSMASA Resource Hub and discover resources to support your professional practice, your organisation and your career.