Reasons for training: Why Australian employers train their workers

• Project summary
• Project approach
• Project purpose
• Research questions
• Methodology
• The organisation/s

Project summary

Project approach

Data Analysis

Project purpose

The purpose of this research is to perform further statistical analysis on the SEUV data with a view to better understanding the dynamics of training in firms and training decision-making by employers.

Research questions

The research questions include:

1. What do employers think they get from different forms of training? What determines these perceptions?

2. How widespread is the use of nationally recognised training and how is it being used to meet the emerging skill needs of firms?

3. What factors make firms decide to use nationally recognised as opposed to non-accredited training and vice versa?

4. How are employer training decisions affected by factors such as size, industry and employment/occupational structure and business strategy?

Methodology

The research will proceed in three phases.

Phase 1. Scoping and brief literature review. This phase will focus on working with appropriate staff at NCVER to determine the variables for further analysis. The research team envisage focusing on the dynamics of firm training and training decision-making with some emphasis on the relationship of training decision to business strategy. A very brief literature review will also be produced.

Phase 2. Data analysis. Appropriate statistical methodologies will be employed to analyse the data of the 2005 SEUV CURF. For research questions requiring descriptive analysis, cross-tabs and comparisons of mean scores across groups will be performed. For research questions which seek to find drivers or explanations of dependent variables of interest, regression analysis and its modifications will be employed. In particular, if all variables of interest are measured without error and the dependent variable is measured on an interval scale then standard regression analysis will be performed. When dependent variables represent choices between discrete alternatives then logit models will be employed. When variables relate to perceptions and measurement error is suspected then structural equation modelling type techniques will be employed for analysis. In summary, the analysis of data will have high regard for the nature of the data and its concordance with the assumptions underpinning the method of analysis.

Phase 3. Final report. We will integrate the results from the data analysis and link the findings to the major issues for employer training as well as recommendations for policy and practice.

The organisation/s

The Centre for Organisational Performance, Ethics and Leadership (OPEL) at Charles Sturt University conducts interdisciplinary research in the areas of organisational performance, ethics and leadership. The aim of the centre is to produce and disseminate high quality research to improve management practice and industry and government policy.

Charles Sturt University is well known as an institution that has supported a vigorous VET research capability over many years. Staff from the School of Education and Commerce frequently work together to investigate issues at the interface between management and vocational education and training. CSU has won a number of NCVER and other grants over the last 10 years to carry out leading edge research in VET. Research activities at the university are supported by the full-range of research infrastructure and rigorous financial and other services.