The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) provides evidence-based planning and solutions to meet current and future skills needs in Victoria.
We are an administrative office led by a chief executive officer (CEO) and supported by an advisory board of key stakeholders.
We report directly to the Minister for Skills and TAFE and work closely with the Office of TAFE Coordination and Delivery (OTCD) and the Skills and Employment Group within the Victorian Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions.
The role of the Victorian Skills Authority
Our role is to:
- gather and analyse industry data
- identify where there are current and emerging skills shortages in Victoria’s workforce
- work with stakeholders to develop strategies to fill these gaps.
We do this by:
- planning for emerging skills needs and workforce areas where there are skills shortages
- identifying opportunities for innovation in skills development and delivery
- promoting pathways from training into work and address training market opportunities and barriers
- driving innovation and quality in vocational education and training
- supporting Victorian employers and communities to find workers with the skills they need
- driving collaboration across education and training sectors
- helping ensure the skills and training system is easy to navigate
- strengthening links between industry needs, training delivery and student attraction and outcomes.
Our services and products
We deliver a range of services and products including the following:
- The annual Victorian Skills Plan(opens in a new window) provides a skills roadmap that sets out training needs for the next 3 years.
- The State of the Victorian Labour Market Report(opens in a new window) provides detailed, in-depth analysis of labour market trends and challenges in Victoria over the past year, to identify areas requiring an education and training response.
- The Employment Projections Dashboard(opens in a new window) provides up-to-date information on in-demand and emerging jobs.
- The Victorian Skills Gateway(opens in a new window) and the Discover training, courses and careers page provide current and prospective students with online information about VET opportunities.
- Skills and Jobs Centres, which are located at TAFEs and dual-sector universities in Victoria, provide free, qualified advice on starting out in the workforce, training options and courses, career planning, apprenticeships, traineeships and more.
- The TAFE and Training Line provides free phone and email support about TAFE and training courses, qualifications and training providers.
The Victorian Skills Authority (VSA) also oversees the VET Development Centre(opens in a new window) which promotes professional development for training practitioners.
Strategic plan
The VSA’s strategic plan outlines our strategic context, strengths and priorities for 2022–2025.
VSA’s Strategic Plan 2022-2025
How we work
Our work is underpinned by an Integrity Framework and Inclusion Approach.
Our establishment
The VSA was established by the Victorian Government in July 2021 in response to the recommendations of the Skills for Victoria’s Growing Economy Review which called for:
- a strong institutional base for a more collaborative skills system
- an evidence base to improve planning and decision-making
- an annual skills plan to set out Victoria’s skills needs
- stronger on-the-ground support for local learners and businesses
- improved professional learning for training practitioners
- greater support for a quality TAFE Network.
To address these recommendations, the VSA expands on the work of the former Office of the Victorian Skills Commissioner with an enhanced focus on data, analysis and place-based training solutions.
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