In 2024, our research revealed a lack of Earn While You Learn (EWYL) models in the care and support sectors which exacerbates workforce shortages and creates barriers to attracting and retaining students due to unpaid mandatory placements.
Structural barriers to setting up EWYL models are also having an effect, especially due to the funding of aged care and disability services and the highly casual nature of the workforce,
Our project team will review and analyse various EWYL models outlined in government reports and academic research, including apprenticeships and traineeships.
We will map out systems to identify key actors and drivers across all care and support sectors and develop an EWYL taxonomy to categorise models and features, highlighting similarities and differences. These items will be socialised and refined with internal and external stakeholders.
Fact sheet
Background Paper
This research paper is a comprehensive analysis of Earn While You Learn (EWYL) models across the care and support sectors alongside hospitality, retail, business and construction. It includes a global review of care and support economy initiatives.
Drawing on a systematic literature review and stakeholder insights gained from the Workforce Plan 2024 research, the paper evaluates the effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities of various EWYL approaches, including apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, paid placements and grow-your-own initiatives. It identifies key gaps and opportunities that will be examined during the next phases of the project.
Read the Background Paper
Summary Paper
This document summarises the background paper and defines the scope of our research. It outlines various EWYL forms in Australia and introduces a practical framework for categorising different models. Focusing on models across hospitality, retail, business, and construction, it compares commencement and completion rates with those in care and support sectors and highlights where lessons from other industries could potentially unlock new opportunities.
Read the Summary Paper
Consultations
We're inviting registered training organisations, industry bodies, unions, employers, educational experts, subject matter experts and other relevant stakeholders to participate in consultation workshops for the Earn While You Learn (EWYL) Research project.
Workshops will focus on different sectors to discuss:
- types of EWYL models being used in the sector
- success rates and features of different promising models, and challenges associated with scaling out quality apprenticeships, traineeships, cadetships, paid placements, and grow-your-own initiatives across care and support sectors
- effective strategies that have been implemented to drive commencements and completions in these promising models.
Brisbane
- 7 October 2025 - Dental: 3 pm - 5 pm
Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD
Register to attend
- 8 October 2025 - Early Childhood Education and Care: 9 am -11 am
Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD
Register to attend
- 8 October 2025 - Health: 1 pm - 3 pm
Brisbane Marriott Hotel, 515 Queen St, Brisbane City QLD
Register to attend
Darwin
- 10 October 2025 - Health: 9 am - 11 am
Novotel Darwin CBD, 100 Esplanade, Darwin City NT
Register to attend
- 10 October 2025 - Human (Community) Services: 1 pm - 3 pm
Novotel Darwin CBD, 100 Esplanade, Darwin City NT
Register to attend
- 13 October 2025 - Early Childhood Education and Care: 9 am - 11 am
Novotel Darwin CBD, 100 Esplanade, Darwin City NT
Register to attend
Adelaide
- 13 October 2025 - All Sectors: 3 pm - 5 pm
Melbourne
- 15 October 2025 - Mental Health: 9 am - 11 am
Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne, 131 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC
Register to attend
- 15 October 2025 - Human (Community) Services: 1 pm - 2:30 pm
Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne, 131 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC
Register to attend
- 15 October 2025 - Aged Care and Disability Services: 3 pm – 5 pm
Hotel Grand Chancellor Melbourne, 131 Lonsdale St, Melbourne VIC
Register to attend
Canberra
- 16 October 2025 - Health: 1 pm - 3 pm
Mercure Canberra, Cnr Ainslie and Limestone Ave, Braddon ACT
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Hobart
- 20 October 2025 - Early Childhood Education and Care: 1 pm - 3 pm
The Tasman Hobart, 12 Murray St, Hobart TAS
Register to attend
- 21 October 2025 - Aged Care and Disability Services: 9 am - 11 am
RACV Hobart Hotel, Level 1/154-156 Collins St, Hobart TAS
Register to attend
Sydney
- 22 October 2025 - Human (Community) Services: 9 am - 11 am
The Commons George Street, The Commons, Suite 66/388 George St, Sydney NSW
Register to attend
- 22 October 2025 - Aged Care and Disability Services: 1 pm - 3 pm
The Commons George Street, The Commons, Suite 66/388 George St, Sydney NSW
Register to attend
Perth
- 23 October 2025 - Health: 9 am - 11 am
Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth WA
Register to attend
- 23 October 2025 - Dental: 1 pm - 3 pm
Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth WA
Register to attend
- 24 October 2025 - Aged Care and Disability Services: 9 am - 11 am
Parmelia Hilton Perth, 14 Mill St, Perth WA
Register to attend
Online
- 27 October 2025 - All Sectors: 2 pm - 4 pm
Register to attend
- 28 October 2025 - All Sectors: 2 pm - 4 pm AEDT
Register to attend