The VET system and the demand for skills: implications for Australia's workforce

This paper outlines and discusses why some skill sets are more important than others in meeting the challenges of a changing labour market. It assesses the sets of skills required by the economy to grow and to compete effectively internationally. A method of achieving an understanding of skill requirements is through the Occupational Information Network (O*NET), a comprehensive database linking worker attributes (or employability skills) with occupations in both qualitative and quantitative terms. To this end an interface of the O*NET model together with Australian employment data is created to provide detailed forecasts of employability skills for Australia.