Skill acquisition and use across the life course: current trends, future prospects

Abstract

This report examines the extent to which people’s life trajectories are changing and the implications of this change for the VET sector. This sector is significantly more affected by changing life-course patterns than are universities: VET has become the preferred route for older people beginning first qualifications, single parents and others in a whole range of non-standard life pathways. This presents challenges and opportunities for the sector: a challenge to accommodate these students successfully; and an opportunity to contribute new sources of non-traditional skills to the national supply of skilled workers.