This report looks at the pathways Indigenous students in the Northern Territory take between VET and higher education. The study explores the perspectives of students studying at higher-level VET and higher education qualifications, and aims to gain an understanding of the pathways adopted by Indigenous students, as well as their motivations to study, and their experiences while studying.
The report finds that 17% of Indigenous admissions to higher education at Charles Darwin University are based on previous VET qualifications. However, this pathway is available to relatively few students because of the low number of Indigenous graduates at the certificate IV, diploma and advanced diploma level.
Overall, the students were happy with the quality of their courses, and those students who made the transition from VET to higher education felt their VET study was relevant to their higher education study. However, some students were unprepared for the more academic environment of higher education and the emphasis on online learning.
