The Department of Education and Training has entered a partnership with the National Rugby League (NRL) to encourage more Australians to pursue career pathways through Vocational Education and Training (VET) and Australian Apprenticeships.
Minister for Small and Family Business, Skills and Vocational Education, Senator Michaelia Cash said the Government was providing additional support for the NRL’s VET Apprenticeship Program.
Senator Cash said the $350,000 allocated over a year would encourage an additional 20,000 people to engage in VET as a pathway to employment.
“This funding will support the NRL’s work to provide player and community education, including NRL VET Ambassadors who continue to share their success stories and promote the value of Australian Apprenticeships and VET qualifications throughout the country,” Senator Cash said.
“I look forward to the NRL continuing to raise the status of VET and further promote real skills for real careers.”
NRL VET Ambassadors, Andrew Ryan (Parramatta and Canterbury-Bankstown) and Ray Thompson (North Queensland) attended the event and encouraged young players to consider the benefits of having education and employment outside the game.
Mr Ryan completed a trade certificate as a landscaper, and achieved a Diploma in Marketing and a Sports Management degree, while Mr Thompson completed a Certificate III in Plumbing and a Diploma in Education.
Senator Cash said VET delivered flexible, work-ready training, so athletes could get the most out of their qualifications, while at the same time continuing to get the most out of their playing careers
“Having a nationally-recognised qualification will ensure players are gaining skills that can take them anywhere and set them up on the road to success,” she said.
