The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) report revealed the NSW Government’s contribution to VET funding had grown by 20.5 percent in the 2018 calendar year compared with the previous year.

“This really highlights the strength of the NSW Government’s commitment to vocational education,” Mr Lee said. “It includes a substantial increase of funding to public providers including TAFE NSW.

“We are serious about growing the VET sector and committed to getting students into careers that best match their passions, aptitudes and skill sets. For many that involves a VET pathway,” Mr Lee said.

The 20.5 percent increase doesn’t include TAFE NSW commercial revenue or Commonwealth government funding, only NSW Government funding.

According to another recent NCVER report, NSW recorded an increase of 5.4 per cent (or 15,029) in student numbers in the first half of 2019 compared with the same period last year.

“Implementing programs like the fee-free traineeships and apprenticeships are fueling greater uptake of VET,” Mr Lee said.

Mr Lee said the NSW Government recognises the need to address skills shortages and so has invested heavily in VET in recent years with $2.3 billion allocated in the current budget for the 2019-2020 year.

“We are committed to ensuring the NSW workforce continues to have people with the skills that will be needed to continue building the $93 billion worth of infrastructure projects we are delivering for the people of NSW.”