VET and Higher Education Pathways -- Do Outcomes Differ for the Same Occupation? Research Report

Overview & Synopsis

In many occupations there has been a trend towards requiring an entry-level qualification where a qualification was previously not required for the occupation. For various other occupations, the type of qualification needed has changed to one of a higher level. Does this so-called 'credential creep' impact on the outcomes for individuals who choose a vocational education and training (VET) pathway as opposed to a higher education pathway? Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey and interviews with employers in four occupations -- childcare workers, surveyors, graphic designers and medical laboratory technicians -- this research explores whether individuals with VET qualifications and those with higher education qualifications employed in the same occupations are undertaking the same tasks and receiving the same job outcomes, such as salary and career pathways. [For the related support document, see ED623393.]