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
Between Tuesday 7 October and Tuesday 28 October 2025, we held in person workshops in Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart, Sydney and Perth, and 2 online workshops. We had a really rewarding time connecting with registered training organisations, industry bodies, unions, employers, educational experts, subject matter experts and other relevant stakeholders discussing:
- 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.
Thank you to everyone who attended and provided your invaluable input.