A well-skilled future: Tailoring VET to the emerging labour market - Research overviews

This report is part of a suite of research projects entitled 'A well-skilled future: Tailoring VET t… Show more

This report is part of a suite of research projects entitled 'A well-skilled future: Tailoring VET to the emerging labour market' conducted by a consortium of researchers from the National Institute of Labour Studies and the Centre for Post-compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning. This report aims to clarify the term 'skill shortage' and to explain how skill shortages can be resolved naturally by market forces. It also provides some guidance on determining when a skill shortage requires public-policy intervention. Show less

Employment options have altered dramatically over the past 15 years, with full-time and permanent em… Show more

Employment options have altered dramatically over the past 15 years, with full-time and permanent employment no longer the 'standard'. This report examines changes in employment modes for various groups of workers and its effect on the level and extent of skills development. The report finds that there is reduced support for training by employers as a result of the changing employment patterns, and this means that skills development will increasingly need to be funded by workers themselves and the taxpayer through the public vocational education and training system. Show less

The ageing of the Australian population has become an issue of national concern. How ageing impacts… Show more

The ageing of the Australian population has become an issue of national concern. How ageing impacts on the supply of vocational skills is less well known, and different age groups vary in the extent and character of vocational skills they possess. This report analyses and quantifies the compositional effects of changing demographics on both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the supply of vocational skills. Focusing particularly on occupations that utilise vocational skills intensively, this report provides an analysis of projected VET employment and VET qualifications by occupation and by age groups over a 15-year period to 2020. Show less

This report examines Australian studies of work organisation and how the workplace is changing in re… Show more

This report examines Australian studies of work organisation and how the workplace is changing in response to pressures from increased global competition, rapidly changing consumer markets and the expansion of the services sector, all of which necessitate much more flexible work practices. The research finds that the success of teamwork is patchy, as is implementation of other aspects of the high performance model. The research also finds that, while a curriculum response is not necessary from the vocational education and training (VET) sector, the changing work environment is an important consideration in VET policy and planning. Show less

The participation of Australians in vocational education and training (VET) varies a great deal in t… Show more

The participation of Australians in vocational education and training (VET) varies a great deal in terms of levels of training, industry fields and demographic aspects; that is, age, gender, locality and socioeconomic status. The purpose of this study was to undertake an analysis of various aspects of VET participation by age, gender, socioeconomic status and Australian Qualifications Framework level. Information for Queensland and South Australia is also provided to illustrate the capacity to analyse this information at a state/territory level. Show less

This report examines participation in vocational education and training (VET) across different regio… Show more

This report examines participation in vocational education and training (VET) across different regions of Australia. It does this by presenting two main types of analysis: firstly, by mapping of regional participation rates, and, secondly, by regression analyses which, by using key regional data, predict participation and identify 'exceptional' regions, those with unusually high or low rates of participation, despite what might be expected, given their industry base and population. The report finds that there are large variations in participation across the regions, with participation stronger in rural areas, particularly for basic and middle levels. Show less

This report explains the planning processes and financial arrangements underpinning the vocational e… Show more

This report explains the planning processes and financial arrangements underpinning the vocational education and training (VET) sector. It looks at the structural capacity of the sector to respond rapidly and efficiently to a dynamic labour market and changes in pattern of skill demand. The report finds that the complexities of the labour market and the multiple demands on the VET system mean that the planning processes used by state and territory authorities are relatively different, dynamic and, in some instances, quite complex. Show less

The aim of this research was to identify approaches used by a select number of overseas countries-th… Show more

The aim of this research was to identify approaches used by a select number of overseas countries-the United Kingdom, China, Singapore, Norway and Germany-in their attempts to match the supply of skills with current and projected skill needs. The study focuses on the mechanisms used by, or on behalf of, governments to influence the formal and informal processes and outcomes of skills formation. This includes the management and direction of VET systems, financing and other levers that influence the type, amount and location of training and other skills-formation processes. The research found that countries use a mixture of three types of strategies to attempt to align the supply of skills with current and future needs: state regulated; regulated through agreements between the social partners, that is, industry, unions and government; and market regulation. Show less

This report is the final report - the synthesis report - from the research program, A well-skilled f… Show more

This report is the final report - the synthesis report - from the research program, A well-skilled future: Tailoring VET to the emerging labour market. This overview draws together the key points identified across the research and integrates the conclusions from each of the five research themes to produce a coherent picture of the vocational education and training (VET) sector's role in responding to changes in the skills required by employers and the skill development needs of the workforce. Show less

This report examines the nature and effectiveness of 'inclusiveness' strategies implemented by TAFE… Show more

This report examines the nature and effectiveness of 'inclusiveness' strategies implemented by TAFE institutes in Australia. Inclusiveness strategies address barriers to participation in vocational education and training (VET) experienced by disadvantaged people, thereby maximising the stock of skills available to industry. The research identified three approaches to inclusiveness: compliance, existing cohort and community obligation. It is accompanied by case studies. Show less

The aim of the research was to identify whether, and how, the demand for the types of skills provide… Show more

The aim of the research was to identify whether, and how, the demand for the types of skills provided by the vocational education and training (VET) sector was likely to change in the years to 2011. This research has adopted a different approach to investigating future demand for skills: instead of utilising proxies for skills, such as qualification, earnings or nominal occupation, this research has adopted a framework which uses the notion of skills as comprised of cognitive, interactive and motor skills dimensions. The research projects that future jobs are likely to have higher cognitive and interactive components, this being a probable consequence of global change and the rising level of international trade, as well as skill-based technological change. Show less