Why the matching system exists
Every year, thousands of career advisors across Australia spend hours trying to find industry partners willing to come into schools, host site tours, or offer work placements. Most of those hours are wasted on cold outreach that goes nowhere.
At the same time, forward-thinking employers know that the best apprenticeship pipeline starts at school. They want to engage. They just don't know which schools have the right VET programs, the right year levels, or the right geographic fit.
Skills Match solves both problems. Schools post what they are looking for. Industry posts what they can offer. Our matching engine scores compatibility across four criteria and SkillsOne facilitates a warm, curated introduction between the career advisor and the industry contact.
2 pts
VET Subject
School VET subject matches industry sector
1 pt
Geography
School and partner are in the same region
1 pt
Engagement Type
School needs align with what industry can offer
1 pt
Preferred Sector
School's preferred industry sectors include the partner's sector
A match scoring 3 or more is flagged for SkillsOne review. Every introduction is approved by our team before it goes out. No cold outreach, ever.
Who is it for?
Two sides of the same marketplace, career advisors who need industry engagement, and employers who want to build their future workforce pipeline.
For Schools
FREE- Register in 3 minutes. Post what you need: speakers, placements, tours or mentors.
- Matched by VET subject, location, engagement type and dates.
- Warm introduction from SkillsOne. No cold outreach, ever.
- Free to register, always.
- Access to the full School Kit: activity guides, consent templates and feedback forms.
- Participation certificate issued after each confirmed engagement.
No cost. No obligation.
For Industry
- Curated school introductions matched to your sector, region and capacity.
- Named in school activity reports and post-engagement communications.
- Subscriber insight dashboard showing VET demand trends by state and sector.
- Annual post-week impact report with engagement confirmation rates.
- Build your apprenticeship pipeline from the ground up, starting at school.
- Listing included with all SkillsOne partnerships.
How It Works
A human-approved matching process that protects the credibility of every introduction.
Schools Register
Career advisors register their school and post what they are looking for: guest speakers, work placements, site tours, mentoring, careers day participation or virtual presentations. They also nominate their VET subjects, preferred industry sectors and geographic area.
Industry Registers
Employers register what they can offer, which industry sectors they represent, which states they operate in, and how many schools they can support. Listing is included with all SkillsOne partnerships.
System Scores Matches
Pairs are scored across four criteria: VET subject match (2 pts), geography (1 pt), engagement type (1 pt) and preferred sector (1 pt). A score of 3 or more is flagged for SkillsOne review.
SkillsOne Reviews
Every suggested match is reviewed by the SkillsOne team before any introduction is sent. Quality and credibility are protected at every step. No cold outreach, ever.
Warm Introduction Made
Two personalised emails go out simultaneously, one to the career advisor and one to the industry contact, naming each other and explaining why they are a great fit. Both parties connect directly to arrange the activity.
Register Your School
Takes 3 minutes. Tell us what your school needs and we'll match you with the right industry partners, no cold outreach, ever.
- ✅Free to register, always. No subscription, no catch.
- 🎯Matched by VET subject, location, engagement type and preferred sector.
- 🤝Warm introduction from SkillsOne. We review every match before it goes out.
- 📋School Kit included: activity guides, consent templates and feedback forms.
- 🏅Participation certificate issued after each confirmed engagement.
National Skills Week 2025
250K+
projected skilled worker shortage by 2030. The pipeline starts at school.
School Registration
All fields marked * are required. We'll confirm by email within 2 business days.
Industry Partnership Tiers
Three ways to participate. All tiers include a curated school introduction and listing on the Skills Match platform.
Included with all SkillsOne partnerships
Listing
- Organisation profile on the Skills Match platform
- Listed as an available industry partner for school matching
- Eligible to receive curated school introductions
- Named in post-engagement school activity reports
Industry Subscriber
Insights
- Everything in Listing
- Subscriber insight dashboard: VET demand by state and sector
- Annual post-week impact report with engagement data
- Priority matching: your profile surfaced first to relevant schools
- Up to 10 curated school introductions per year
Premium Subscriber
Premium
- Everything in Insights
- Unlimited curated school introductions
- Co-branded engagement collateral for school visits
- Featured placement in the annual Skills Match impact report
- Dedicated SkillsOne account manager
- Invitation to the annual Skills Match industry briefing
Subscriber Insight Dashboard
The Skills Match Platform turns National Skills Week from an annual event into a year-round talent pipeline, generating apprenticeship and traineeship leads every month.
Subscribers get continuous visibility into demand across the national VET landscape, so you can plan recruitment ahead of time, not react to it.
Watch
Their Next Move
Created in conjunction with the NSW Department of Education, Their Next Move explores the value of vocational education and training, helping students, parents, and career advisors understand the real pathways and opportunities available through skills-based careers.
Episode 1: Introduction
An introduction to the VET pathway, what it is, why it matters, and how it opens doors for young Australians.
Episode 2: Career Pathways
Real stories from young people who chose skills-based careers and the industry professionals who supported them.
More Episodes
Episode 3
Trades, building, construction and career opportunities for women in male-dominated industries.
Episode 4
Exploring the full breadth of VET pathways, from hospitality to digital skills and beyond.
Industry Panel Discussion
Industry leaders discuss what they look for in apprentices and how schools can better prepare students.
School-Based Apprenticeships
A panel discussion on school-based apprenticeships and traineeships (SBATs) and how they work and why they matter.