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Informing policy and practice in Australia's training system

Employer views

Frequently asked questions about the survey

About the survey

The survey is designed to identify strategies employers use to meet their skill needs. We want to know how your organisation employs and trains staff and how effective this training is at meeting your needs.
The survey collects information on the following issues:

  • the skill needs of your organisation
  • any recruitment difficulties your organisation may have experienced
  • whether you employ apprentices or trainees
  • the training you use to improve your employees’ skills

The survey is funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). NCVER manages the research, analysis and reporting of the survey. Wallis Consulting Group will call to collect the information about your skill needs and training in your workplace.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about the survey. If you would like more information about this survey, please phone Wallis Consulting Group on 1800 113 444 toll free from a landline or visit their website at www.wallisgroup.com.au.

How long will it take?

The survey will take about 15 minutes to complete over the telephone. An interviewer will arrange a time that is convenient for you to complete the survey.

Who should complete the survey?

We need all organisations that have employees to participate in the survey. It is important that the results represent all organisations, not just those providing training.

Employees are defined as wage and salary earners who received pay for any part of the last pay period. This includes: employees on paid or prepaid leave, employees who commenced or terminated employment during the pay period, and employees on workers’ compensation who continue to be paid through the payroll. It excludes persons paid solely by commission, without a retainer, wage or salary.

We would like to talk to the person responsible for employing or training staff in your organisation. They may need to have access to payroll or other records, or consult other people in the organisation prior to the interview about specific questions in the survey.

What if I don't do any training?

It does not matter whether you currently do any formal training of staff, we are also seeking information on what organisations think about training and possible improvements to the system, so the Australian, and State and Territory Governments can better meet employer needs.

Do I have to participate?

Participation in the survey is voluntary. However, having as many organisations respond as possible gives a clear picture of the ways Australian employers meet their skill needs and how Australian employers use training in their workplaces.

Are my answers confidential?

Yes, your privacy is assured. Your contact details and survey responses will remain confidential. The information you provide will not be used for any other purpose. Results will be reported as summary responses and will not allow individual employers to be identified.

If you are concerned about privacy issues or Wallis Consulting Group’s compliance with the Privacy Act, you can contact them on 1800 113 444 or access their privacy policy on their website www.wallisgroup.com.au. You can also go to the website www.privacy.gov.au for further information.

How was my organisation selected?

Your organisation was randomly selected from the Australian Business Register. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) agreed to select a sample of employers from this Register and provided them to the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) for the purposes of conducting the survey.

Where did you get my number?

Your number has been randomly selected from the Australian Business Register. The Australian Business Register is a list of Australian businesses that is managed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

How will my information be used?

The Australian, and State and Territory Governments will use results of the survey to:

  • identify skill shortages that are not being met by current training strategies
  • identify areas of growth in skill development
  • monitor how employers use training and what they think of it
  • help shape future training

Can I see the results of the survey?

Results of the survey will be published on NCVER’s website in December 2011. See http://www.ncver.edu.au

For results from previous surveys see: http://www.ncver.edu.au/statistic/21066.html

Who's who?

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
NCVER is a not-for-profit company owned by the State, Territory and Federal ministers responsible for vocational education and training. NCVER, under contract to the Australian Government Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), collects information and provides research on vocational education and training in Australia to governments, the training sector, industry and the community.

Department of Education, Employment & Workplace Relations
The Government department funding the survey. They will use the results to develop government policy to help employers and industry.

Wallis Consulting Group
The company that will call you to collect information about your skill needs and training in your workplace.

What is the Australian Government Statistical Clearing House?

This survey has been approved by the Australian Government Statistical Clearing House. The Statistical Clearing House is the clearance point for any business surveys that are run, funded, or conducted on behalf on the Australian Government.

The approval number for this survey is 02101-01. You may phone the Statistical Clearing House on (02) 6252 5285 to verify the approval number or visit their website www.sch.abs.gov.au . The survey is officially known as the Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System.

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© 2012 National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)    ABN 87 007 967 311

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