This research will examine the work skill needs of these people and how VET can best assist this process.
It is important that the research explores the capacity of the VET system to provide for a group of learners who, for the most part, will require an inclusive and individualized learning experience that takes into account specific barriers they face in accessing VET programs. This will be examined from the perspective of individuals moving from welfare to work via the VET system and from the perspective of VET decision makers and training providers, and those with expertise in meeting the needs of equity target groups.
The research team will address the following questions:
1. What are the issues faced by the Welfare to Work target group, especially parents, older people and those with a disability, in making a successful transition into employment?
2. What do we know about what makes training effective for these groups?
3. What is the existing state of training provision for people in receipt of welfare in Australia? Are there any examples of where this is working well?
4. What are the relevant findings from international research regarding welfare to work education and training programs?
5. What do VET providers require to ensure they deliver the most effective training possible for these specific groups of people? Are some providers better placed than others to respond to these needs?
6. How can VET programs be designed to dovetail well with non-VET programs to give a complete 'package' of assistance to the affected groups?
7. How do different forms of employment (i.e. casual, ongoing, part-time, full-time, contract), hours of employment and income affect the workforce transitions of income support recipients?
8. What is the relationship between socio-demographic factors (age, gender, income, ethnicity, location, self-identified health, prior educational attainment and household arrangements), and workforce transitions?
9. What types of interventions (programs, services and policies) have the greatest potential to facilitate successful transition to and retention in, work?
The methodology which we propose involves five inter-related research methods:
1. A telephone (CATI-based) survey of a random sample of 250 income support recipients who are also participating in VET programs, drawn from the general population of South Australia. This sample will include the three income support categories to be studied - people receiving Disability Support Pension, Newstart Allowance or Parenting Payment. Findings will be analysed against key socio-demographic characteristics (age, gender, income, ethnicity, location, self-identified health, prior educational attainment and household arrangements) in order to determine their interactive impact with Welfare to Work reforms.
2. Three focus groups - one for each of the three income support recipient groups. Discussion will highlight what has and has not worked well, both from the income support sector and from the VET sector and in relation to the pathways between each. The role VET is playing and can play in facilitating the transition from income support to employment will be explored in depth.
3. An evaluative review of national and international research on transition from income support to paid employment, with an emphasis on the role played by education and training.
4. Structured interviews with key stakeholders involving
a) VET system decision makers in all States and Territories and at national level; VET providers in a sample of TAFE institutes; experts (eg VET Access and Equity Officers); parents who face employment difficulties; and mature age people facing employment difficulties.
b) Industry and employer representatives; Job Network employment agencies (including disability employment services); and Personal Support Program service providers.
The interviews with both sets of stakeholders will also identify examples of good practice in the VET response to the welfare-to-work initiative.
5. Case studies of good practice, focusing on the lessons learned from the perspective of systems-level change and from the perspective of delivery-level change.
The Australian Institute for Social Research (AISR) incorporates the National Centre for Social Applications of Geographic Information Systems, the Centre for Labour Research and the Public Health Information Development Unit. The AISR is one of Australia's leading health, demographic, labour market, and spatial research organizations, undertaking extensive academic and applied research projects in Australia and overseas. We have a commitment to delivering high quality analysis and reporting to strict deadlines. The AISR has a sophisticated research infrastructure which has proven effective in the successful management of over one hundred and fifty research projects over the last ten years. This has included projects for a wide range of public, private and non-government clients. We have provided research support to a range of State Government Agencies and a range of non-government organisations. For further information, please go to http://www.aisr.adelaide.edu.au/.
