NCVER News #309

Australian vocational education and training statistics: apprentices and trainees 2012 - annual

NCVER

This annual publication provides a summary of training activity in apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia, including information on training rates and duration of training. State/territory cuts of data are also available in Excel format.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2631.html

Australian vocational education and training statistics: completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees 2012

NCVER

This publication presents completion and attrition rates for apprentices and trainees using three different methodologies: contract completion and attrition rates, based on the outcomes of contracts of training; individual completion rates, based on contract completion rates and adjusted for recommencement factor; and projected contract completion and attrition rates for the latest commencing apprentice and trainee cohorts, based on a 'life tables' methodology.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2632.html

Investigating the 'crisis': production workers' literacy and numeracy practices

Stephen Black, Keiko Yasukawa, Tony Brown

Results from the Adult Literacy and Life Skills Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics have been used to suggest there is a crisis in the literacy and numeracy skills of Australian adults. This study challenges this current view by looking at the issue from a worker's perspective. Production workers, together with their managers and trainers, from three manufacturing companies were interviewed and observed. Little evidence of a direct link between increasing literacy and numeracy skills of workers and improved productivity was found.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2628.html

Hurdling the barriers: enabling student pathways from VET to higher education in building and construction management

Anthony Mills, Patricia McLaughlin, Jane Carnegie

The authors investigate the 'enablers' that support building and construction students moving from diplomas into construction management and related bachelor degrees. The research considers the broader rationale for strengthening educational pathways, particularly from the perspectives of the students who have already made the transition from vocational education and training (VET) to higher education. Consistent with other research, this study confirms that committed VET teachers and staff, opportunities for students to build confidence, and collaboration between VET and higher education providers enables the navigation of a successful pathway.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2633.html

Labour mobility and vocational education and training in Australia

Kostas Mavromaras, Stephane Mahuteau, Zhang Wei

Types of job mobility (changing industry sector, changing occupation, and changing sector and occupation) and the outcomes ensuing for those who have just completed a VET course in Australia over the years 2001 - 11 are examined in this report using NCVER Student Outcomes Survey data. To determine whether job quality improves with mobility, the research compares several measures before and after completing a VET course, focusing on the association between mobility and better pay, better occupational status, a higher chance of full-time employment, and a lower chance of casual employment. The results show that occupational mobility that also preserves sector-specific knowledge is associated with the best labour market outcomes.

http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2625.html