NCVER News #346

We’re taking our research program in a new direction and we’d like your input. To stimulate wide discussion and interest in VET research, NCVER has published Research prospectus 2015-2016 with the aim of further improving how we address the diverse needs of our many clients.

We invite you to respond to the prospectus by either:

• directing correspondence to: researchprospectus@ncver.edu.au or
• attending the webinar.

WEBINAR: Where to with VET research?

Join us on Thursday 12 March from 2.30pm AEDT to:

• find out more about NCVER's research program for 2015 and beyond. The Research prospectus outlines a specific set of research topics that address current and emerging needs in the sector
• reflect on the achievements of the last four years. From 2011-2014 five national priorities directed research activities helping us to understand the issues and drivers to be tackled in the VET sector, and also pointing to some of the solutions. The results of this extensive body of work have now been summarised in The outcomes of education and training: what the research is telling us 2011-2014 [soon to be released]. Research messages 2014 has also been released recently and summarises our work from the past year

The webinar will be presented by Sandra Pattison, General Manager Research and Phil Loveder, Manager Research Operations.

Register now at: Where to with VET research?

NCVER is thrilled to announce Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chancellor of University of Western Sydney and Chair of NCVER as the opening keynote address at the 24th National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference 'No Frills' to be held in Sydney on 6-8 July 2015.

Peter was a CEO in the Australian Public service for two decades, most recently as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He was awarded the Order of Australia (AM) in 1996 and Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) for public service in 2007. He is now a non-executive Director of AMP Ltd, Veda Group and Corrs Chambers Westgarth and chair of Opal Aged Care. He also chairs QuintessenceLabs. He is still actively involved with government: chair of the NSW Public Service Commission Advisory Board and chair of the TEQSA Advisory Council. He is a member of the Queensland Public Sector Renewal Board and the Prime Minister’s Indigenous Advisory Council. In the not-for-profit sector he is a patron of the Left Right Think Tank. He is also a senior visiting fellow of the Singapore Civil Service College. 

The program, which will be released at the end of march, will feature engaging presentations across the three conference streams - Youth, Pathways and Skills. The program will be released in conjunction with registration opening at the end of March.

The conference is co-hosted with the University of Western Sydney and TAFE NSW's Western Sydney and South Western Sydney Institutes.

For more information on the conference or sponsorship opportunities: http://www.ncver.edu.au/nofrills2015.html

If you are submitting AVETMISS and/or fee-for-service data directly to NCVER, please submit it now. The deadline for reporting of 2014 nationally accredited training (AVETMISS data) to NCVER is close of business, this Friday (27 February).

Congratulations to the many RTOs who have already successfully submitted their data either directly to NCVER or via their state training authority (STA).

If  you haven’t submitted your data yet, it’s time to jump online and get started; NCVER’s friendly Client Support team can help if you’re having difficulties or are unsure what to do. Contact them on 08 8230 8400, 1800 649 452 or support@ncver.edu.au for assistance.

The latest early trend estimates show the number of people starting apprenticeships and traineeships has increased, suggesting an end to the recent series of declines.

These increases apply to both trade and non-trade apprentices:

• non-trade commencements increasing from 26 400 in the September 2014 quarter, to 31 700 in the December 2014 quarter.
• trade commencements increasing from 19 900 in the September 2014 quarter, to 21 500 in the December 2014 quarter.

More detailed national and state/territory level information (including in-training; completion and cancellation; and withdrawal data) will be released early next month in Apprentices and trainees 2014 – September quarter publication.

Copies of Apprentices and trainees 2014 – early trend estimates, December quarter, are available from www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2779.html

Australian employers will be contacted in the coming weeks as part of the Survey of Australian Employers to identify the ways in which they meet their skill needs and how effective these strategies are. The survey aims to collect the views of 9 000 employers, from across the country and from all industry sectors. Businesses are randomly selected from the Australian Business Register to participate in the survey which will be conducted from now until June this year.

Dr Craig Fowler, Managing Director, NCVER said the survey provides employers with an opportunity to have their say and help shape future training.  “We’d like to hear from all employers, not just those providing training. It’s essential we talk to a range of Australian employers to ensure we get a clear picture of the ways employers are meeting their skill needs.”

The Survey of Australian Employers is a biennial survey conducted on behalf of the Australian, state and territory governments.

For more information: www.ncver.edu.au/employerviews/faq.html