About AskNCVER
AskNCVER is NCVER’s dedicated advisory, research, data analytics and information services branch, delivering bespoke consultancy and demand-led services, alongside VOCEDplus, our national and international tertiary and vocational education research database.
Our work provides trusted evidence and insights to strengthen Australia’s VET system and support workforce planning, policy development and program evaluation. It helps stakeholders understand current and emerging skills and workforce needs and make informed decisions that improve skills, employment and productivity outcomes.
Our services and consultancy offerings
Data analytics, workforce planning and skills intelligence
AskNCVER develops tailored VET data products, analytical insights, qualitative research findings and evidence to support workforce planning, industry stewardship and skills system decision-making. Our services help stakeholders understand training activity, qualification outcomes and workforce capability to inform current and emerging skills and workforce needs and priorities.
- Bespoke data requests, reporting and insights
- Training, industry and occupation profile data and insights
- VET commencements, completions, non-completions and student outcomes analysis
- Skills supply and training pipeline data and insights
- Stakeholder interviews, consultations and qualitative workforce intelligence
- Mixed-methods research integrating quantitative data with qualitative evidence
Career pathways and learner journeys
AskNCVER provides evidence on learner pathways, participation and transitions through quantitative analysis and qualitative research to support a better understanding of progression, completion and outcomes across vocational education, further study and employment.
- Learner pathway, qualification progression and transition analysis
- VET-to-employment and VET-to-further-study outcomes
- Longitudinal learner and cohort analysis
- Equity, participation and workforce pathway insights
- Learner, employer and stakeholder interviews and focus groups
- Research into learner experiences, barriers, enablers and decision-making
Research and evaluation
AskNCVER supports the evaluation of VET policies, programs, qualifications and workforce initiatives through robust methodologies, quantitative and qualitative research, stakeholder engagement and evidence-based analysis.
- VET policy, program and initiative evaluation data and insights
- Evaluation frameworks and methodological support
- VET outcomes, monitoring and performance data and insights
- Survey design, data collection and analysis
- Qualitative research design, interviews, focus groups and thematic analysis
- Stakeholder consultation and engagement
- Mixed-methods evaluations and impact assessments
National and international information services
Leveraging NCVER's VOCEDplus platform, AskNCVER provides curated information and knowledge services that connect stakeholders with contemporary Australian and international VET, workforce and skills research.
- Curated national and international VET research and policy insights
- Literature scans and evidence reviews
- Emerging trends and leading practice monitoring
- Knowledge-sharing and information dissemination services
Meet the team
Shaer brings leadership and consultancy experience across data analytics, research and public policy, with a strong focus on Australia’s skills and training system and its role in supporting workforce development.
At NCVER, Shaer leads the AskNCVER branch and consultancy function, bringing together the data analytics, research and information services teams to deliver tailored evidence and insights that support better decisions and outcomes across the system.
Shaer has held senior and executive roles across Jobs and Skills Australia, the Department of Education, the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Services and Creative Skills Australia, using data and evidence to shape strategy, policy and initiatives that inform national priorities.
Tabatha is an experienced VET researcher with 20 years' experience conducting and managing research in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. She has expertise in mixed-methods and qualitative research, with a particular focus on teaching and learning, VET quality, workforce capability, and student experiences and outcomes.
At NCVER, Tabatha leads the Research team and has led and contributed to a diverse range of research projects with government, industry, education providers and research partners. Her work spans effective teaching practice, online learning, VET delivery in regional and remote Australia, student pathways and outcomes, and skills utilisation. She specialises in translating research evidence into clear, accessible and practical insights for the VET sector.
Melinda has more than 20 years of experience in data analytics, research, consultancy and leadership across government and industry, with expertise in vocational education and training (VET).
At NCVER, Melinda leads the Analytics and Data Services team, overseeing customised analytics, advisory and consultancy services and high-profile stakeholder engagements. She specialises in understanding stakeholder requirements and translating complex data into clear, practical insights.
Melinda's work supports policy development, strategic planning and evidence-based decision-making across the VET sector.
Kelly has 30 years of experience across the education and special library sectors, with extensive expertise in information management, knowledge resources, client liaison and the use of innovative technologies to support continuous improvement.
At NCVER, Kelly leads the Information Services team and oversees internal and external library services, including management of VOCEDplus, NCVER's international research database and a highly regarded resource for the tertiary education sector.
Kelly brings extensive experience in connecting stakeholders with relevant research, evidence and knowledge resources to support informed decision-making.
Examples of our work
Effective teaching and learning: teacher perspectives on what works best for whom
This research examined VET teachers’ understanding of how people learn, and how they cater to the learning needs and preferences of their students across a range of different contexts.
Read moreUnderstanding the value of pre-apprenticeships
Key findings from both quantitative and qualitative research that examined the effect of pre-apprenticeship programs on apprenticeship completions and the value that both students and employers place on pre-apprenticeship programs in helping students to obtain successful apprenticeship outcomes.
Read moreThe student journey: the many faces of completion and non-completion in VET
Explores the many faces of course completion and non-completion in vocational education and training. By tracking student enrolments via the unique student identifier in the National VET Provider Collection, we gain a greater understanding of how individuals mix and match training types and their movement through VET, enabling identification of a broader range of training successes
Read moreWork with us
Discuss your ideas with AskNCVER
Discuss potential projects, service offerings or consultancy arrangements with us, including pricing, to explore how we can support your organisation’s evidence, data and insight needs. Pricing and engagement models are tailored to each project’s scope, complexity, methodology and delivery requirements.