This report identifies what individual learners and industry clients want from vocational education and training (VET) and proposes how these needs can best be met. It also identifies a tension between compliance and creativity which needs to be addressed in quality frameworks at the system level. In addition, providers need to reshape their structures and modify their cultures so they are open to creativity and flexibility but also able to meet compliance requirements. At the practitioner level, ongoing funding for the professional development of staff is needed so they have the time and space to develop innovative strategies for teaching, learning and assessment.
These two-page research overviews summarise the 13 reports which make up the research project, 'A well-skilled future: Tailoring vocational education and training to the emerging labour market'. The project has been undertaken by a consortium of researchers from the National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University and the Centre for Post-compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning at the University of Melbourne. The various overviews in this suite address questions relating to changing work skill needs and work organisation arrangements, and their implications for the vocational education and training sector.
The aim of this research is to define good practices which support partnerships between adult and community education and vocational education and training, and identify negative practices which work against such collaborations. The research finds that strong and committed lead personnel, time, respect between organisations and a clear understanding of objectives are key factors for success. Each purchased copy of the report also includes a copy of 'Creating effective ACE and VET partnerships: Good practice guide'.
This study examines the nature of the training activity of private registered training organisations (RTOs) offered to Australian students in 2003, based on data from a national sample of 330 RTOs. The study also provides estimates of the private sector's overall contribution to the total vocational education and training (VET) effort in Australia for that year. Private providers are diverse and cover a wide variety of types. Generally they are small organisations offering a wide range of programs; both accredited and non-accredited. While there are some issues relating to data quality, it is clear they make a substantial contribution to the overall Australian VET effort. It is estimated that, in 2003, private RTOs had about 2.2 million students, which compares with 1.7 million students in the publicly funded sector in that year. However, comparisons with the public VET sector are problematic because there are no estimates available of the training hours delivered by private RTOs.
This study examines the nature of the impact of vocational education and training (VET), and its project-based activities and partnerships, on the development of sustainable communities in regional Australia. It finds that VET plays a critical role as the entry point to learning and builds considerable social and other forms of capital in regional communities. The study points to new opportunities to integrate these assets into strategic regional development.
This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003 calendar year. The project was undertaken to illustrate the extent of variation in the sector. The report also provides data on TAFE institutes that can be used by the institutes for planning, performance monitoring and marketing purposes.
The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce can be improved is particularly relevant in view of the ongoing debate on how language, literacy and numeracy skills should be taught. This study reflects on the professional development needs of the three sectors--vocational trainers, specialist teachers and volunteer tutors-- of the Australian English language, literacy and numeracy workforce. Important issues affecting the workforce include entry pathways, attitudes, responsibilities and barriers to gaining professional development. Preferred modes of professional development delivery along with skill gaps among the workforce are identified to provide guidance for future workforce development planning.
Difficulty with literacy and numeracy is a significant barrier to Indigenous students accessing vocational education and training. This study explored the literacy and numeracy support systems available to Indigenous VET students and determined which systems work for both students and teachers and produce positive outcomes for Indigenous students, including successful completion. This has resulted in a set of best practice guidelines for designing and developing literacy and numeracy support systems for Indigenous students.
The research investigated the learning preferences of New Apprentices and training preferences of their trainers in the manufacturing, community and retail services sectors, and outlines how this data can be used to inform trainers. The study showed that the preferred workplace features of trainers and New Apprentices in manufacturing were quite different from those in retail and community services. The nature of work and industry shapes what is expected to support learning in any particular workplace. The practicalities of industry workplaces mean that preferences cannot always be met, and hence the expectations of both trainers and New Apprentices need to be clarified early in their working relationship.
Teaching and learning styles in the vocational education and training (VET) sector have changed substantially over the last decade in response to changed national and international conditions. This 'at a glance' describes these changes, which can basically be summarised as a shift from traditional teaching in classrooms to facilitating learning, and involving a substantial reliance on the workplace in the learning process. Making this shift can be a challenge for some VET teachers and this publication offers useful strategies and models for dealing with the changes.
The purpose of this study is to evaluate, from a national perspective, the impact and outcomes of market reform in vocational education and training (VET), particulary the introduction of competitive tendering and 'user choice'. It does so by examining the structure, composition and dynamics of contestable or 'quasi-markets' for VET, assessing the impact and effects of market reform on providers and clients, and evaluating the outcomes, both intended and unintended, of market reform in VET.
Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in schools have significantly expanded over the past decade. This report investigates stakeholders' views on school-based vocational programs in New South Wales and Queensland schools from 2000 to 2002. It examines the objectives and expected outcomes for students, school VET coordinators, trainers and employers. The research finds considerable diversity in implementation at the local level, while at the broad level the two main objectives of facilitating transition between school and work and providing a highly skilled workforce are common for all stakeholders. Challenges facing the implementation of a school-based VET program are summarised and solutions offered.