VET briefs

Greening Australia’s apprentices for Indian students wanting to study abroad. Newly released AEI statistics show a 31 per cent annual increase for the quarter to end March in Indian students commencing in Australian education, including a 14 per cent jump for higher education and a whopping 46 per cent for VET. Reports suggest that Indian higher education students are shifting their base to countries like Australia and New Zealand. “Students are wary about joining US universities due to the dismal job situation. More students are applying in Australia and New Zealand,” said study abroad counsellor Anand Palav. “[Australian] VET courses offer diplomas and advanced diplomas in several fields such as reflexology, aircraft maintenance, tool designing and electronic engineering. Since these courses are industry-focused, there are a lot of takers among Indian students.” India ranks number one in terms of source countries of international students to the US in higher education, but only seventh in vocational education, suggesting the US has missed out to countries like Australia in providing affordable VET to this growing market.