Work in Progress
Higher level vocational education and training qualifications: Their importance in today's training market
Summary
- Item:
- 10366
- Title:
- Higher level vocational education and training qualifications: Their importance in today's training market
- Type:
- Managed research project
- Project no:
- NR6005
- Status:
- Finished
- Date commenced:
- 1 June 2006
- Contact:
- Sue Foster
- phone: +61 3 9773 4668
- email: sue_foster@optusnet.com.au
Purpose
The purpose of this research is to gain insights into the current and future delivery of higher level VET training in the context of learner and industry needs as well as their place within the delivery of AQF qualifications in VET and higher education. Three industry areas will be included in the research: community services and health, engineering and associated industries and creative industries.
Approach
Interviews, focus groups and data analysis
Research questions
A. Why do Diploma and Advanced diploma qualifications not translate into labour market outcomes for some participants?
What is the demand for higher-level skills in relevant industries?
How is this demand changing?
What use do employers make of higher-level skills and qualifications from VET and higher education or other training provision to satisfy this demand?
B. How can higher-level VET qualifications be improved to better meet employers' and students' needs?
To what extent do higher-level VET qualifications reflect employer expectations of skills in relevant occupations?
How might higher-level VET qualifications be adapted to meet employer expectations?
What is the relationship between the intent of higher-level VET qualifications and their actual use by students?
- As advanced training for experienced practitioners? For entry to employment? As substitutes for university qualifications? As a pathway into higher education?
C. What is the likely effect of Associate Degrees on participation in Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses? What is the nature of competition between higher level VET qualifications and Higher Education qualifications in industries with higher levels of associate professional qualifications? For what occupations? For delivery of which qualifications? Who is undertaking Associate Degree programs? Why?
Methodology
The project will be conducted in three phases.
Stage 1 Scoping and planning
* plan quantitative data collection from leading enterprises in six industry sectors in three industries and VET students
* develop focus group and interview schedules
* confirm data to be reviewed: this will include NCVER data on enrolment in Certificates IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma VET qualifications in the six industry sectors that will be the focus of this project; DEST data on enrolments in Associate degrees and NCVER data on students' reasons for study as well as the outcomes of students who have completed middle level VET courses or modules (Certificate IV to Advanced Diploma) through the findings of the national Student Outcomes Survey.
* conduct a literature review
* review NCVER desktop analysis on outcomes of diploma/advanced diploma courses.
Stage 2 Data collection
* Quantitative data will be collected: through collection and analysis of data from NCVER, DEST and the ABS as required following the completion of Stage One analysis
* Qualitative data will be collected: through face-to-face interviews in NSW, South Australia, Queensland, Western Australia and Victoria with: leading edge employers in three industry areas of Community Service and Health; Engineering and associated industries; and Creative industries. Six employers will be interviewed in each industry sector - a total of 36 employers.
These industry sectors will be the focus of this project; together with students in middle level (Certificate IV to Advanced Dploma) VET courses and in Associate Degrees. Two focus groups will be held in each industry sector listed above, with focus groups distributed across states and territories to be visited.
Telephone interviews will be conducted with Training Package developers and Industry Skills Councils relevant to the industry sectors listed above.
Stage 3 Data analysis and reporting
In phase 3 the project team will analyse the data collected and develop a draft report.
Organisations
Sue Foster trades as Susan K. Foster. She provides consultancy, research, writing and project management services to a range of government departments including education and training, justice and human services.
Bateman & Giles Pty Ltd is the newly formed company of Andrea Bateman. The company provides research, consultancy and audit services in the VET and Higher Education sectors. Chloe Dyson is the Director of CDA Consulting, a company that has operated for eight years. The company provides auditing services, conducts VET research and develops materials to support the implementation of Training Packages.
Bernadette Delaney is the director of Delaney Associates. This company specialises in educational and training research spanning across the school, TAFE, ACE and the higher education sectors. Delaney Associates evaluate training programs and accredited courses as well as a range of delivery mechanisms such as online and blended learning. As part of these evaluations the relevance of courses to industry and learners is also researched.
