Work in Progress
Indigenous staffing in vocational education and training: Policies strategies and performance
Summary
- Item:
- 10316
- Title:
- Indigenous staffing in vocational education and training: Policies strategies and performance
- Type:
- Managed research project
- Project no:
- NR3025
- Status:
- Finished
- Date commenced:
- 1 March 2004
- Contact:
- Stephen Kemmis
- phone: +61 2 6933 2149
Purpose
The purposes of the study proposed are:
(1) To identify numbers, patterns and profiles of Indigenous employment in VET through the whole employment cycle of position identification, search, recruitment, retention, career planning, professional development, end of contract, exit, follow-up and re-entry to new employment, for Indigenous staff in long-term (or continuing) and short-term positions in teaching, management and administration in the VET sector.
(2) To describe the range, scope and success of policies, strategies and practices of Indigenous employment, professional development and career development in the sector, noting differences between metropolitan, rural/regional and remote locations, and between public and private provider organizations.
(3) To outline the types of support available to Indigenous people for employment, professional development and career development in the sector, similarly noting differences between locations and provider types.
(4) To identify factors that promote and hinder or obstruct the retention of Indigenous staff in VET.
Approach
Involves case studies and survey
Research questions
The study proposed here will seek answers to these questions:
(1) What is the extent and distribution of employment of Indigenous people in VET?
(2) What are the patterns of employment and retention of these staff across the employment cycle (from position identification through employment to re-entry to changed employment)?
(3) What factors influence the retention (and the loss) of Indigenous staff in VET - particularly in relation to employment, professional development (both accredited and unaccredited) and career development policies, strategies, practices?
(4) What kinds and levels of support are available and accessible to Indigenous people, and what is their experience of the availability, accessibility and appropriateness of this support?
(5) What roles do Indigenous people have in decision making in the sector, especially concerning the range of matters relevant to Indigenous employment through the whole employment cycle?
(6) What do Indigenous staff in VET think about the adequacy and appropriateness of VET provision for Indigenous people and communities?
Methodology
The research team proposes to use the following methodology in sequence:
(1) Re-analysis of existing databases, reports and previous research literature.
(2) Consultations (with the Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council, representatives of State Training Authorities, VET providers and other relevant stakeholders).
(3) Informant interviews.
(4) Survey (mailed self-completion).
(5) Case studies (of public and private VET providers).
Organisations
Charles Sturt University offers study opportunities to over 35,000 students. The Faculty of Education that spreads across 4 regional campuses has an enrolment of over 4,000 students working both on campus and by distance education. Within the Faculty, the School of Education in Wagga Wagga NSW provides a range of courses and is exceptionally proud of its Vocational Education and Training (VET) staff and students. The staff have a prodigious record in VET research and teaching that includes Online delivery, VET in schools, apprenticeships, workplace learning, professional development, CBT and the history of VET in Australia. The current NCVER project calls on the expertise of the VET Research Group and is enriched by the guidance and expertise of Professor Stephen Kemmis (Project Manager) and Marianne Atkinson (Indigenous Chief Researcher).
Further information about the VET Research Group can be found at: http://www.csu.edu.au/faculty/educat/edu/vetfolder/researchgr.htm
