The federal government hopes Australian students will put their hands up for vocational education over university study.
Skills Minister Michaelia Cash will on Thursday address the vocational education and training sector at a conference in Adelaide, outlining the Morrison government's aims for the field.
Senator Cash hopes to raise the profile of the sector to ensure it's the first pick for students choosing their next steps after high school.
"It is a valuable career choice for many Australians and should not be seen as being something less important than a university degree," she will say.
"We know that people with VET qualifications are highly regarded and sought after by employers, but we need more people to choose VET as their path to success."
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Senator Cash will also urge education providers to work closer with industry to ensure students receive better training.
"Employers look to vocationally trained workers because of their suitability in skills and experience," she will say.
"Australia's VET system must better connect with industry, respond to community needs and have clear, consistent funding."
There were more than 250,000 apprentices and trainees at the end of last year, while more than four million Australians undertook vocational education and training in 2017.
Under the Morrison government's $525 million plan, up to 80,000 extra apprenticeships will be created over the next five years in areas with skills shortages.
Youth unemployment in regional Australia will also be combated, with 400 scholarships on offer to the value of $8 million.
