There has been some debate over whether skill sets have the capacity to be part of a more flexible skilling solution, one in which vocational education and training (VET) in Australia is enhanced. This proposition is explored using a case study of agrifood students who were enrolled in TAFE NSW Statement of Attainment in Rural Production Studies skill sets in 2005 (1128 students) and those who were enrolled in the Diploma of Agriculture between 2004 and 2010 (422 students). The case study included an analysis of students' training histories, including their commencements, completions and progressions in training, to determine when and how skill sets were used. In-depth structured interviews of a sample of the students were used to investigate their skills development pathways and the roles that skill sets have played. A recent literature review by the authors indicated that flexibility and responsiveness in VET are critical to meeting changing labour market needs for skills development (Mills et al. 2012). The case study has confirmed the need for flexibility in the structure of skill sets, identifying that there is a wide range of individual skill development needs in any cohort of learners. This research found that licensing and compliance, upgrading skills and gaining specific knowledge in an emerging area are the main reasons for undertaking training utilising skill sets. A common concern in the literature about training that makes use of skill sets is that it may impact negatively on the completion of whole qualifications. However, this research finds that skill sets in many cases aided engagement in VET and were used as a stepping stone to the completion of full qualifications; they were also used to build additional skills, particularly that broaden and/or deepen the skills and capabilities of already qualified workers. (Contains 7 tables, 2 figures and 1 footnote.) [For related report, "Workforce Skills Development and Engagement in Training through Skill Sets: Literature Review. Occasional Paper," see ED531867.]