All publications

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Mike Dockery about his report on 'Education and… Show more

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Mike Dockery about his report on 'Education and happiness in the school-to-work transition'. Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this report examines the relationship between education and happiness. The report finds that undertaking vocational qualifications such as an apprenticeship has a positive impact on happiness both during the training period and after completion. For university graduates, however, happiness declines following completion of their study. Show less

The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has long been characterised by low skill/… Show more

The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has long been characterised by low skill/low pay jobs. The current policy environment, however, may offer scope for the sector to toward a path of skill growth. This report, based on case studies of four early childhood education and care providers, investigates how innovative employers are overcoming challenges in the sector to improve workforce development. Show less

The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has traditionally been characterised by l… Show more

The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has traditionally been characterised by low skill/low pay jobs and high staff turnover. Some employers, however, have attempted to combat high turnover through careful recruitment and skill development. This research overview describes the approaches of innovative employers who have excelled in the delivery of early childhood education and care services, while also providing staff with a high-quality workplace and attractive employment conditions. Show less

This paper was delivered as a keynote address on 24th March 2010 at the VISTA annual conference: VET… Show more

This paper was delivered as a keynote address on 24th March 2010 at the VISTA annual conference: VET - The Invisible Sector. Show less

This technical paper provides informaton on the methodology used to back-cast the Australian and New… Show more

This technical paper provides informaton on the methodology used to back-cast the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) codes on historical data in the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection. Show less

The national research priorities for tertiary education and training 2011-2013 were endorsed by the… Show more

The national research priorities for tertiary education and training 2011-2013 were endorsed by the Ministerial Council for Tertiary Education and Employment (MCTEE) in June 2010. This document sets out the context for the priorities, what was learnt from the consultations and the final advice on the priorities by the NCVER Board to MCTEE. The five priority subject areas endorsed are: skills and productivity, structures in the tertiary education and training system, the contribution of education and training to social inclusion, learning and teaching, and the place and role of VET. Show less

This technical paper provides information on the methodology used to estimate apprentice and trainee… Show more

This technical paper provides information on the methodology used to estimate apprentice and trainee figures for NCVER publications reporting apprentice and trainee statistics. The new estimates were established following a major review of the estimation method used in the past and were endorsed by the National Training Statistics Committee in September 2004. Show less

This good practice guide is based on research that looked at how to teach adult literacy and numerac… Show more

This good practice guide is based on research that looked at how to teach adult literacy and numeracy using a social capital approach. The guide suggests ways VET practitioners can adopt a social capital approach to their teaching practice. A social capital approach refers to the process in which networks are drawn on or created during the various stages of the literacy and numeracy  program. The guide also outlines indicators of social capital outcomes. Show less

Having a choice of transition pathways from school to work, further education or training gives youn… Show more

Having a choice of transition pathways from school to work, further education or training gives young people the best chance of success. Using the 1995 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth, this study looks at the role post-school qualifications play in the year-by-year movement between labour market states by young people. Higher post-school qualifications are found to increase the chances of being permanently employed and provide protection against being persistently unemployed or out of the labour force. Show less

This guide is intended for students, career counsellors and others assisting vocational education an… Show more

This guide is intended for students, career counsellors and others assisting vocational education and training (VET) students in the credit transfer process. It is based on research that set out to identify the core elements required to negotiate successful pathways from VET to higher education. Credit transfer structures between Deakin University and three Victorian TAFE institutes, as well as the experience of enterprise registered training organisations, were used as case studies. The guide offers some strategies and guidance from the research which may assist students who seek recognition for their VET learning. Show less

Reforms in the tertiary education sector place student transitions between vocational education and… Show more

Reforms in the tertiary education sector place student transitions between vocational education and training (VET) and university at the fore. Informed by existing structures between Deakin University and three Victorian TAFE institutes, this project explores the notion of credit transfer in practice, as well as describing learning pathways available through enterprise-based training. Ideas for enabling learner mobility are identified, with both students and providers suggesting understanding and respect as key principles for success. A  guide to credit transfer for students, career counsellors and those assisting students in the credit transfer process has also been developed. Show less

Education is generally seen as enhancing people's lives. However, previous research has reported an… Show more

Education is generally seen as enhancing people's lives. However, previous research has reported an inverse relationship between education and happiness or satisfaction with life: as education level goes up, happiness goes down. Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this report examines the relationship between education and happiness. The impact of factors such as family circumstances and personality traits are also considered. The report finds that undertaking vocational qualifications such as an apprenticeship has a positive impact on happiness both during the training period and after completion. For university graduates, however, happiness declines following completion of their study. Show less

This paper was presented at the 2009 Economic and Social Outlook Conference, 5-6 November at the Uni… Show more

This paper was presented at the 2009 Economic and Social Outlook Conference, 5-6 November at the University of Melbourne. It takes a sceptical view of the push for 'green skills', arguing that skills required in the labour market evolve relatively slowly, and that the way business operates is driven by changing costs, new technologies and new regulations, with sustainability being only one of many factors. Show less

This study compared the work benefit and skill trajectories of a cohort of trade (vocational educati… Show more

This study compared the work benefit and skill trajectories of a cohort of trade (vocational education) and bachelor (higher education) graduates of RMIT University in the first ten years of their working lives. It found that there are a number of key similarities and differences between the two groups in terms of further learning and occupational characteristics. In particular, both groups had high levels of satisfaction with work–life balance but differed significantly in their patterns of work and engagement in ongoing learning. Show less

Rubrics are a tool that can be used to provide graded assessment for articulation from vocational ed… Show more

Rubrics are a tool that can be used to provide graded assessment for articulation from vocational education and training (VET) into higher education. By mentoring teachers to use rubrics and interviewing them to determine their experiences in using them, the author explored the potential of rubrics as an assessment tool. Overall, teachers found rubrics not only useful for grading assessments but also for conveying assessment expectations to students. The research was undertaken by a novice researcher in the community of practice program and was funded as part of NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiative. Show less

Research messages 2009 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National C… Show more

Research messages 2009 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) in 2009, including conference papers and occasional papers. It also has an overview of the research highlights for the year. The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning: VET system; and VET in context. Show less

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Cain Polidano about his report on the role of v… Show more

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Cain Polidano about his report on the role of vocational education and training in the labour market outcomes of people with disabilities. Low levels of education generally among people with a disability is one of the factors contributing to their lower rate of labour market participation. What role vocational education and training (VET) plays in ameliorating this is the focus of this report. Using data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics of Australia surveys, the report finds that for people who are not working, completing a VET qualification does increase the chance of employment and more so for people with a disability. Show less

The NCVER Apprentice and Destination Survey collected, among other things, data on reasons for not c… Show more

The NCVER Apprentice and Destination Survey collected, among other things, data on reasons for not completing an apprenticeship or traineeship. This paper finds that poor working conditions or non-sympathetic bosses or workmates have an immediate effect for many. By contrast, the desire to do something different (such as study at university) or better (such as getting a better paid job) remains constant throughout the duration of the training contract. Show less

Increasing the number of people with vocational qualifications at the certificate III level or highe… Show more

Increasing the number of people with vocational qualifications at the certificate III level or higher was one of the targets set by the Council of Australian Governments in late 2008 as a way of increasing the skill levels of the Australian population. But why enrol in vocational education and training (VET)? This study looks at the employment and earning benefits for individuals in completing a VET course and how these benefits may change over time. Compared with those who have completed Year 12, employment and earnings benefits are only gained from completing a VET course at the diploma level. However, compared with individuals who do not complete Year 12, such benefits can be gained from completing a VET qualification at any level. Show less

When the skills workers have do not match the skills that jobs require, a number of negative labour… Show more

When the skills workers have do not match the skills that jobs require, a number of negative labour market outcomes can occur, including productivity and efficiency losses, lowered earnings and reduced job satisfaction. Using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, this study examines the degree of job mismatch experienced by workers. The mismatch between the perceived skill level of the worker and the skill level of the job is considered as overskilling. The report finds that workers with vocational qualifications, particularly at the certificate III or IV level, are less likely to experience overskilling. Show less