All publications

Information on the divergence between student numbers and delivery hours for the period 2002 to 2007… Show more

Information on the divergence between student numbers and delivery hours for the period 2002 to 2007 is provided in this technical paper. The change in hours from one year to the next is decomposed into three effects, one of which is 'hours inflation', whereby nominal hours increase over time for the same unit of competency or module. Here we show that the 'hours inflation' explains relatively little of the divergence between students and hours. However, another form of hours creep, whereby new modules have higher average hours than ceased modules, was of some significance at the start of the period in question. Show less

A history of performance measurement for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, beginni… Show more

A history of performance measurement for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, beginning with the creation of the Australian National Training Authority in 1992 and ending with what we know of the current reforms. As well as discussing the various measures, the paper looks at the challenges that are brought up by indicators and makes some suggestions for indicators for the VET system. Show less

This paper is a review of literature on employer engagement with vocational education and training (… Show more

This paper is a review of literature on employer engagement with vocational education and training (VET). The main conclusion is that the major form of engagement is through the competency-based training system, which is manifested through training packages. Another way employers are encouraged to engage with VET is through competition amongst training providers. This provides employers with greater responsiveness and choice. Show less

This report examines the costs that both employers and apprentices incur for undertaking training in… Show more

This report examines the costs that both employers and apprentices incur for undertaking training in the plumbing and electrical industries. The importance of understanding costs is fundamental. Employers will not take on apprentices if the cost is too high, and prospective apprentices will not undertake an apprenticeship if the future benefits (increased wages) do not outweigh the immediate costs to them. The research found that the apprenticeship model involves a substantial financial commitment from employers, and apprenticeships are more attractive to young people and will remain unattractive to older people, unless the premium paid to qualified tradespeople is substantial. Show less

This report describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead… Show more

This report describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead to successful employment outcomes for their Indigenous clients. Show less

Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job-seekers find and keep a job has been the focus of… Show more

Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job-seekers find and keep a job has been the focus of recent reforms announced by the Australian Government. This guide describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead to successful employment outcomes for their Indigenous clients. Based on a selection of good-practice examples, the guide describes how these factors are implemented in practice, with the aim to enable other employment services providers to build their own capacity to provide positive employment outcomes for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. Show less

This paper was presented to a meeting of the Wellington Exchange, an international group of higher e… Show more

This paper was presented to a meeting of the Wellington Exchange, an international group of higher education officials, in December 2008. Show less

This overview of research into innovative teaching and learning practice internationally found that… Show more

This overview of research into innovative teaching and learning practice internationally found that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and resource banks to foster better professional practice and help practitioners exchange ideas and resources. In addition, it is important for practitioners to be able to step back from their 'daily grind' to think about what they can do differently and how. They need to be supported to test out new resources and pedagogies in a culture of active experimentation. Show less

An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in th… Show more

An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in this publication, which was based on discussions with practitioners and vocational education and training (VET) managers responsible for teaching and learning. It examines why and how people are changing their pedagogy, and with what results. It found that improvements in teaching and learning practice arise from a perceived need to change. The imperatives to change are usually locally based and their success is dependent on a commitment by all those supporting the learner. Practice is best shared through effective mentoring and by using networks effectively. Show less

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Barbara Pocock about her paper, 'Low-paid worke… Show more

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Barbara Pocock about her paper, 'Low-paid workers, changing patterns of work and life, and participation in vocational education and training'. Show less

Understanding Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system can be daunting for observe… Show more

Understanding Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system can be daunting for observers. This paper, written as a background paper for a visit from the OECD, describes Australia's VET system and how it relates to the broader set of education and learning options that are available to Australians. Show less

This paper was presented at the Skills Australia, Academy of Social Sciences seminar in Sydney in Se… Show more

This paper was presented at the Skills Australia, Academy of Social Sciences seminar in Sydney in September 2008. This paper examines the demand for training. It concentrates on the factors that affect individual and employer demand, and points out that accredited vocational education and training (VET) need to be considered in the context of extensive use of non-accredited and on-the-job training. Show less

Research messages 2008 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National C… Show more

Research messages 2008 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research in 2008, 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 VET research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning; VET system; and VET in context. Show less

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning kno… Show more

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning knowledge in competency-based training. It uses the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma in Education Design in a Queensland TAFE institute to examine how the 'traditional' knowledge and theory associated with higher-level qualifications can be accommodated within the framework of competency-based training and assessment. The paper raises some interesting, and provocative, questions about the status and value of these qualifications by comparison with their university counterparts. Show less

The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for enc… Show more

The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for encouraging them to study and work in areas such as building and construction. Such strategies include introductory and pre-apprenticeships courses, clustering female students, and support from teachers in opening up job opportunities. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award. Show less

The findings of a cultural industries skills audit undertaken in 2008 in Katherine, Northern Territo… Show more

The findings of a cultural industries skills audit undertaken in 2008 in Katherine, Northern Territory, are explored. The case study focusses in particular on the practical challenges and implications of auditing skills in a diverse industry sector and considers the usefulness of such an audit in preparing an industry for predicted change. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award. Show less

The difficulties experienced by vocational education and training (VET) teachers in delivering the g… Show more

The difficulties experienced by vocational education and training (VET) teachers in delivering the generic employability skills embedded in industry training packages are considered in this paper. Show less

This briefing paper presents information about the initial tertiary education experiences, such as s… Show more

This briefing paper presents information about the initial tertiary education experiences, such as satisfaction with aspects of student life and changes to initial enrolments, of two groups of young people, based on two recent LSAY research reports. One study focussed on the first year experiences of a group of young people who completed Year 12 in 2001 and entered tertiary education (university and TAFE) the following year. In this study, TAFE students who were enrolled in traineeships or apprenticeships were excluded from the analyses. The second study examined course changes and attrition from university study among a group of young people who completed Year 12 in 1998 and entered university in 1999 or 2000. Their experiences of university study were analysed up until the end of 2001, that is, during their first two years of study. Briefing paper no.14 This paper, published by the Australian Council for Educational Reasearch (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program. Show less

This briefing paper provides a summary of students' experiences at school and their attitudes and pe… Show more

This briefing paper provides a summary of students' experiences at school and their attitudes and perceptions of these experiences at ages 15 and 16. It is based on information obtained in both years from these young people who participated in PISA in 2003 and who are now part of the LSAY 2003 cohort. Table 1 shows the distribution, by year level, of the cohort in both 2003 and 2004. Briefing paper no.16 This paper, published by the Australian Council for Educational Reasearch (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program. Show less

The data for this briefing paper are from the 1995 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian… Show more

The data for this briefing paper are from the 1995 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). The findings reported here are from three recent LSAY research reports, which are listed at the end of this briefing paper. The cohort comprises young people who were in Year 9 at school in 1995. Data in this briefing paper have been collected annually to 2005. This briefing paper concentrates on those who undertook an apprenticeship or traineeship after leaving school, or enrolled for non-apprenticeship study at a TAFE institution or a private VET provider. Briefing paper no.17 This paper, published by the Australian Council for Educational Reasearch (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program. Show less