Project purpose
The impact of pre-apprenticeship programs on apprenticeship attrition, completion, satisfaction, and the value they add to apprentices have been of great interest for many years. By identifying pre-apprenticeship students in the total VET activity data and linking to their further study and employment outcomes, this research aims to draw more reliable conclusions on the value of pre-apprenticeships in helping apprentices and specific cohorts of interest achieve positive training and employment outcomes.
Research questions
Analysis of pre-apprenticeship students will be conducted to answer the following:
- To what extent do pre-apprenticeship students (including specific student cohorts e.g., females) go on to further VET and what are the characteristics of this further study?
- How do student and training characteristics compare for those who complete and don’t complete a pre-apprenticeship?
- What proportion of pre-apprenticeship students (including specific student cohorts e.g., females) commence an apprenticeship?
- How do student and training characteristics compare for those who go on to a trade apprenticeship and those who don’t?
- What is the student intention/motivation for undertaking a pre-apprenticeship?
Analysis of pre-apprenticeship outcomes for those who continue to an apprenticeship will be conducted to answer:
- How do outcomes (apprenticeship completions, employment and further training) compare for trade apprentices who undertook a pre-apprenticeship versus those that didn’t undertake a pre-apprenticeship?
- What are the student and training characteristics associated with positive versus less positive outcomes?
- What value did the pre-apprenticeship add to the apprenticeship and was the student satisfied with the training and the outcomes achieved?
Methodology
This NCVER project will be both qualitative and quantitative in nature and will be undertaken in concurrent stages, the first stage involving a literature review to help inform subsequent stages of the research.
An analysis of pre-apprenticeship and non-pre-apprenticeship students and their outcomes will be undertaken using linked datasets in the ABS’ Multi-Agency Data Integration Project (MADAIP), subject to the availability and suitability of variables. MADIP is a data asset enabled through partnership of various government agencies, combining information on health, education, government payments, income and taxation, employment, and population demographics over time.
Qualitative interviews with current and past pre-apprenticeship students and employers of apprentices who completed a pre-apprenticeship will be conducted to add a rich perspective to this research, providing an understanding of individual motivations, views and perspectives on issues related to pre-apprenticeship programs.