VET’s COVID-19 response was “quick and decisive” with on-line only subjects increasing by 24 per cent last year on 2019

According to research by Sheila Hume and Tabatha Griffin for the estimable National Centre for Vocational Education Research, some 75 per cent of in-person registered training organisations surveyed in February-March reported moving at least some training and assessment on-line in response to the pandemic last year.

A year later only 25 per cent had reverted fully to pre COVID-19 delivery. More than 60 per cent who had moved at least some training on-line “indicated” they were “more likely” to, “use blended learning in the future.”

Given where NSW, the ACT and Victoria are six months later that was wise.

But obstacles endure for on-line VET. Providers cite subjects not amenable to teaching on-line and students who struggle with it. Hume and Griffin refer to research that delivering VET on-line is “associated with” lower course completions and higher subject withdrawals.