Vocational education is often viewed as the “poor cousin” of university studies, with the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry arguing that an overemphasis on university education has discouraged young people from pursuing trades and vocational training.

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Speaking with 6PR Drive host Mark Doran, Andrew McKellar suggested that an “artificial divide” between the two sectors contributed to the decline in apprenticeship uptake.

“We need to get rid of this artificial divide between vocational education and training and universities. We really need to see that there’s a continuum there and you can get great opportunities, great training, great skills that have very good career outcomes whichever pathway you choose,” he said.

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