This study investigates which market groups are most likely to take up and use online vocational education and training (VET) delivery, and identifies key factors that influence demand from these groups. Students undertaking training to change their careers or improve their skills, and self-employed people are the most likely to favour online delivery. Potential employer markets include group training companies and large organisations. Current user groups report they seek training that is short, simple, available in easy-to-manage chunks, and immediately accessible. Other suggestions to change online training product and pricing to tap into the mass market are also included.
This report uses four case studies to examine how human resource practices of TAFE institutes have changed to accommodate flexible delivery and the changing roles of staff. It reveals that a whole of organisation customer-service philosophy is a useful basis for flexible delivery and the trend is towards team-based approaches. The detailed findings in this report mirror those in the report 'The impact of flexible delivery on human resource practices: Survey of TAFE managers'.
Queensland is leading Australia in offering vocational education and training (VET) options to students through the VET in Schools program, and has the highest rate of school students enrolled in technical and further education (TAFE) institutes. However, the success of such initiatives is dependent on the ability to transfer qualifications gained (part or full) across educational sectors. The report suggests adopting a state-wide approach to generating better articulation and credit transfer arrangements, combined with financial assistance for schools, TAFE institutes and universities to develop innovative inter-sectoral arrangements.
This volume is a companion to Getting connected: Professional development of contract and casual staff providing flexible delivery - Volume 1. The detailed report of the project is contained in volume 1 while volume 2 contains the appendices.
The experiences of contract and casual staff 'getting connected' with flexible delivery and online learning technologies and engaging in professional development is the focus of this report. The study finds a significant proportion of professional development relies heavily on learning by doing, informal learning, and networking with colleagues.
The current, various policies for fees and charges in the public vocational education and training (VET) system in each state and territory are the focus of this report. It finds that due to a host of reasons there is little to no consistency to fees and charges across Australia, and many variations between public VET providers within the same state and territory. Implications arising from this finding include the difficulty to analyse the impact of fees and charges on student participation, and the difficulty for students to compare course costs between institutions. Additionally, if a nationally consistent policy for fees and charges was introduced, it should be developed from a set of agreed principles.
Training packages are a key reform of the vocational education and training (VET) system. This report describes how the implementation of training packages has led to new, flexible approaches to training and assessment at six case study sites. It also shows this implementation has affected the role of registered training organisations, industry bodies, and enterprises. While most of these changes were positive, the case studies also revealed challenges experienced when these new approaches were implemented.
Small businesses, like larger enterprises, need the capacity to respond to the changing demands and requirements of the economy. This report identifies opportunities for Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system to work collaboratively with local associations, organisations and networks to meet the educational needs of small business. It confirms small business operators learn via informal and local networks, and want training that directly addresses their specific needs. The report is based on a study that examined the processes small business undertook to implement the goods and services tax (GST) and the associated business activity statement (BAS).
This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the needs of stakeholders in regional and local communities. In doing so it investigates who the stakeholders are, what they want from training and whether their needs are being met.
Generic skills are gaining importance internationally and in Australia. This 'At a glance' explains why there is such an interest in generic skills, and describes how they have been defined and addressed in educational programs in Australia. It also compares the different definitions and interpretations of generic skills in various overseas countries. A complementary publication 'Fostering generic skills in VET programs and workplaces: At a glance' is also available.
Assessing generic skills in a selection of training packages is the focus of this report. Based on case studies, the authors also examine how these skills are understood by trainers and learners. The report contains a comprehensive literature review of assessment of generic skills.
This report provides a statistical overview of Indigenous peoples' participation and outcomes in vocational education and training (VET) over the period of implementation of the Australian National Training Authority's 'Partners in a learning culture' strategy. It was developed as an outcome of the mid-term review of this strategy. The data analysis provides base benchmarks against which trends over the coming years, and up to 2005 (when the strategy is due to end), can be assessed. The data are all sourced from the national VET statistical collections managed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
This report is based on interviews with workers who have lost their jobs due to changes in the workplace and are thus 'displaced workers'. It investigates how generic skills are perceived and valued by these workers, where they acquired their generic skills and what the implications of this are for teachers and trainers in the workplace and in registered training organisations. The study finds that the workplace is the most important influence on the development of generic skills and therefore teachers and trainers in formal education settings have to create opportunities for skill development through experiential learning in workplaces. The report is published in two volumes. Volume 1 is the main report and volume 2 contains the appendices and is available in PDF format only.
This report documents a new approach to assessing problem-solving skills. This approach uses an assessment tool that incorporates problems that participants routinely experience in their courses and in the workplace. Assessment is performance and evidence based. The assessment tool was trialled among students in the Electronics and Information Technology Program at Torrens Valley Institute of TAFE and proved successful as a device for reliably assessing problem-solving ability. An extensive literature review regarding key competencies and the assessment of generic skills is also provided.
Recent research into workplace learning in Australia is reviewed and important findings are synthesised in this publication. It finds that six elements are required to be in place for effective workplace learning and proposes that the 'ideal' workplace learning situation fosters innovation, and involves a systematic approach. Additionally, the 'At a glance' emphasises that the networks and partnerships of the workplace learning system - the workplace, individual, external training provider and a variety of community and government organisations - are crucially important.
This report investigates the conduct of assessments at diploma and advanced diploma levels. It highlights differences between four certificate levels and two diploma levels in terms of the competency standards, assessment environment and assessor skills. The research also identifies a number of actions which can improve the quality of assessments at diploma and advanced diploma levels.
This study examines the impact of implementing a quality system in Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector. Specifically, the report investigates a quality system and how it is put into practice in TAFE institutes, and the impact of implementing such a system on the learning environment. This study is aimed at practitioners and other stakeholders interested in the implementation of a quality system in the classroom and its fit with wider national quality initiatives.
How well has traditional teaching practice adapted for online learning? This two-volume report looks at the process of teaching and learning online as well as the function, work and 'art' of a teacher or trainer. Brennan examines the principles and practices which underpin the pedagogy of online delivery from various vantage points and identifies which features most assist student learning. These principles are used to analyse the current practices of online delivery of the VET courses sampled for this study. Volume 2 contains the data and survey material used in the main report.
A companion document to Learning online: Benefits and barriers in regional Australia - Volume 1. Volume 1 contains the main report while this volume contains the case studies.
Online learning in regional areas is examined in this report. Data from eight providers across four states are analysed, with closer examination of nine courses. The report is published in two volumes. Volume 1 is the main report and volume 2, which is available in PDF format only, contains the case studies.