NCVER News #384

What is the return on investment for VET?

Understanding the costs and benefits of VET provides a basis for decision-making regarding investment in training. Our latest research looks at return on investment (ROI) for government, business and individuals, and provides an evaluation framework for measurement.

For students, higher-level VET qualifications, such as Advanced Diplomas and Diplomas, consistently demonstrate a good return on investment. Whilst lower-level qualifications (Certificates I and II) result in low financial returns, these qualifications may result in other benefits, such as leading to further study or improved self-esteem and well-being.

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Social support for apprentices contributes to wellbeing

What does social support for young construction apprentices look like in Australia today? While there are formal mentor-like arrangements in place, these are only a small part of the story. Of greater significance to apprentices is the informal support provided by their more experienced peers. The organisations studied had apprenticeship completion rates around 90%, well above the industry average. It finds the essential ingredient to vocational development is a quality approach, which both large and small organisations can foster by:

• Recognising that skills takes time to develop and require active nurturing on the job
• Placing high value on sharing skills and team work
• Encouraging apprentices to tap into wider support networks.

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Unique Student Identifier (USI) webinar for RTOs – Register now!

The USI Office will be hosting a webinar on 25 August.

With the upcoming release of the Transcript Service and other major system upgrades, this webinar is a follow on from the recently completed USI RTO Workshops and will give RTOs an excellent opportunity to learn about the new features and expert tips, have questions answered and help the USI Office assist RTOs by improving the service.

This webinar will feature content from the recent face-to-face with the USI Workshop series including:

• Demonstration and tips for using new system tools for RTOs and students
• Preview of transcript and correction functions
• Expert tips from the Operations Team on USI troubleshooting

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research will also be presenting on the correction of AVETMISS records.

This webinar is recommended for any student support and VET reporting staff and managers who were unable to attend the face-to-face workshops.

Registrations are now open via the USI website

View keynotes from the 25th National VET Research Conference ‘No Frills’

Themed around equity, engagement and evolution, view keynote presentations on NCVER's YouTube channel.

The current challenges of the sector were addressed with keynote speaker Linda Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Laureate Australia & New Zealand, stressing the importance of ‘not wasting a good crisis’ and using our opportunities to change the sector for the better.

Fellow keynote speakers Jodi Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of TAFE Queensland and Dr Claire Mason who’s leading the Digital Society initiative at CSIRO, suggested that in order to tackle the ongoing disruption of skills and the labour market, there must be a focus on upskilling, lifelong learning and reconceptualising training delivery.

The need for students to be better prepared and equipped to ‘handle uncertainty’ in the labour market was addressed by Professor John Buchanan, Chair, Discipline of Business Analytics at the University of Sydney Business School.

Professor Bronwyn Fredericks, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) at CQUniversity, challenged delegates to consider what success looked like for Indigenous students and how that could apply across the sector.

Copies of conference presentations are available from NCVER's international tertiary education research database VOCEDplus.

Hot topic: Employee health and safety

August is ‘Tradies National Health Month’ which aims to raise awareness of the risks posed to those who work in trade occupations. The health and wellbeing of all employees is an important issue for employers. VOCEDplus, NCVER's international tertiary research database, contains a number of items around the topics of vocational rehabilitation, occupational health and safety, and return to work, including the following:

• 1,159 years on the tools: what risk of harm means to experts
• Coordination works: understanding rehabilitation and Return to Work Coordinators in South Australia: a case study report
• Foundations of forensic vocational rehabilitation
• Promoting safe work and quality apprenticeships in small and medium-sized enterprises: challenges for developed and developing economies
• The hidden cost of labor market entry during recession: unemployment rate at entry and occupational injury risk of young workers
• The role of the workplace in return to work: report prepared for WorkCover SA
• Vocational rehabilitation: what works, for whom, and when?

VOCEDplus contains over 70,000 items, including both the latest research as well as older publications captured as part of its archiving and preservation role.

To keep up with what’s new in VOCEDplus, follow @VOCEDplus and @VOCEDplusTitles on Twitter.