National Research Conference in Mooloolaba

Over 190 people will meet in Mooloolaba this week for the 15th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference.

The annual conference is convened by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and is co-sponsored by NCVER and Sunshine Coast TAFE, Mooloolaba Campus.

The conference, from 12-14 July, aims to bring together researchers and those working in vocational education and training in order to discuss current research and strengthen the VET research network. The program will feature 51 presentations covering a wide range of research work, including NCVER projects and a large number of other projects.

'Research contributes to the policy and practice of Australia's training system, so it is essential for it to be soundly-based and of a high quality. This event offers researchers an opportunity to share their work with policy-makers, teachers and fellow researchers,' says Mark Cully, General Manager, NCVER, who will open the conference with Mike Anderson, Institute Director, Sunshine Coast TAFE.

The conference will feature three keynote speakers, namely Dr Bill Martin, Deputy Director, National Institute of Labour Studies and Associate Professor, Department of Sociology, Flinders University; Associate Professor Clive Chappell, Associate Dean, Research & Development, Faculty of Education, University Technology Sydney; and, Associate Professor Janelle Allison, Director Centre for Rural and Regional Innovation Queensland.

Dr Martin's address 'Skill acquisition and use across the life course: Current trends, future prospects' is drawn from his work on a range of aspects of paid work and the labour market in Australia. This work includes a major study of the careers of professionals and managers in large Australian companies, research on the workforce in Australian nursing homes and hostels, and an investigation of patterns and use of skills in people's working lives.

Associate Professor Chappell will speak about learning at work. He is currently involved in the NCVER-managed research consortium 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future'.

Associate Professor Allison has undertaken a range of activities focused on the challenges for rural and regional Australia, and her keynote address 'VET partnerships, social capital and regional landscapes' draws upon her considerable experience in this area.

ENDS

Copies of Associate Professor Janelle Allison's report Building learning communities: Partnerships, social capital and VET performance will be available from NCVER's website, from 9.30am EST on Tuesday 11 July 2006, at http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/1673.html

Media enquiries or further information
NCVER
Colleen Young
tel +61 8 8230 8496

Sunshine Coast TAFE
Julian Ryan
tel +61 7 5459 3228