Founder of female tradie network guest speaker at ‘No Frills’ Dinner
Fiona Lawrie, an apprentice mechanic and founder of Fanelle, has been announced as guest speaker at the 23rd National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference Dinner in Melbourne.
Fanelle’s mission is to ensure society and the trade industry adapt to social change by supporting, encouraging and empowering women in male-dominated trades.
With recent NCVER research showing the most common reason for non-completion of apprenticeships being employment-related, networks such as Fanelle are valuable in providing the support that learners need to complete their training.
“Being the only woman at work and trade school can sometimes be challenging, but knowing there are other women out there doing the same thing makes me feel supported and confident” says Fiona.
The conference dinner is being held on Thursday, 10 July 2014 at Infuse Restaurant at Hemisphere Conference Centre from 6.30pm.
Australia’s students to rate training
The Student Outcomes Survey is now underway, with around 150 000 students being asked to rate their experience at a TAFE institute, private training provider, or adult and community education provider. This year, for the first time, students will be surveyed at a course level.
Mr Rod Camm, Managing Director, NCVER, said that “It’s essential for students to have their say because this is the major survey for rating Australia’s training system, with the results used to improve the sector for future students”.
The annual survey provides information on vocational education and training (VET) students’ employment outcomes and satisfaction with their training.
Recent research releases
Qualification utilisation: occupational outcomes - overview
Bridget Wibrow
People undertake vocational education and training (VET) for mainly employment-related reasons but many VET graduates don’t end up in their intended occupations unless they work in highly regulated industries, such as the trades. However, those graduates who aren’t employed in their intended occupation still find their training relevant to their current job and some find employment at a higher skill level than their intended occupation.
The research identifies links between qualifications and jobs, providing insight into the dual role of VET in providing general education and job specific skills.
http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2708.html
Understanding the non-completion of apprentices
Alice Bednarz
Approximately half of all apprenticeship contracts in the trades are not completed and most apprentices leave their apprenticeship within the first year. This report draws together existing research and considers the issue of non-completion from many angles, finding that the most commonly cited reasons for non-completion are employment-related. Against this backdrop, the report offers future directions for policy and practice.