New directions in VET policy and practice: Europe and Canada
Project type:
Managed research project
Project no:
NR07503
Status:
Project in progress
Commenced date:
30 June 2007
Estimated release date:
30 March 2009
Themes:
VET in context > International aspects of VET
VET system > Policy and reform
Contact:
Roger Harris
Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work (CREEW), University of South Australia
Level 4, Garth Boomer Building
MAWSON LAKES SA 5095
phone: +61 8 8302 6246
fax: +61 8 8302 6832
email: roger.harris@unisa.edu.au
The purpose of this study is to analyse new directions (policies, initiatives, practices) in VET in various European countries, across the EU as a whole and in Canada, and to draw implications for Australian VET.
1. What new policy directions in VET are evident in Europe and in Canada? What initiatives/practices in VET have been implemented in recent years? What problems/issues are they attempting to address?
2. In what ways are they related to the particular political /economic /social contexts in which they are embedded?
3. How do they relate to the current directions for VET in Australia, and what lessons can be learnt?
This project will be primarily undertaken using synthesis-based desk research, supported by communication with European and Canadian professional counterparts. Content analysis of relevant, available literature will generate the required information for the study, and then, to minimise the risk of distortion, key themes will be verified ("tested") using a modified Delphi technique with a small number of selected key figures in Europe and Canada. A Delphi involves two or more rounds of questions to a sample of key informants asking for, in this case, future directions/issues and then subsequently seeking some ranking of them. It is commonly designed for use in situations of uncertainty and where much change is taking place. The project design will be in three stages.
Stage 1 Planning and preparation
Data sources at this stage
The main sources of data will be:
(1) websites
(2) academic journals
(3) personal participation in international forums
(4) communication with professional counterparts in Europe and Canada
Stage 2 Data gathering, analysis and verification
* content analyse available literature, participate in international forums, communicate with academic contacts
* develop themes and topics, summarise main debates
* verify accuracy and significance of themes and conclusions with approx. 20-25 European and Canadian contacts using a modified Delphi technique
Centre for Research in Education, Equity and Work (CREEW)
CREEW is a respected and well established research concentration within the Hawke Research Institute at the University of SA. Started in 1994, its current membership comprises part-time staff of 10 Key Researchers, 12 Associate Researchers, a Centre Administrator, 40 higher degree research students and two research assistants. CREEW has excellent infrastructure support, with dedicated physical facilities, electronic communication systems and access to a range of other academic and general staff. Its website at: http://www.unisa.edu.au/creew/ lists previous projects undertaken. CREEW is now one of the country's leading VET research centres, and has a very strong track record of research grants, publications and partnerships in education and training.
