All publications

This study evaluates a selection of career development services available for young people. It exami… Show more

This study evaluates a selection of career development services available for young people. It examines the characteristics of the services provided, with a focus on career decision-making and the provision of information about vocational education and training (VET) options. The education providers and young people surveyed were generally satisfied with the services provided. However, it was agreed that information about VET options could be improved. A better understanding of the ways in which young people seek help will enhance accessibility to services. Show less

This publication reports on the participant feedback provided at the recent NCVER Research Forums, w… Show more

This publication reports on the participant feedback provided at the recent NCVER Research Forums, which showcased the findings of the Consortium Research Program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future'. Show less

The vocational education and training sector (VET) has a reputation for providing learners with a se… Show more

The vocational education and training sector (VET) has a reputation for providing learners with a second chance. This report critically examines this idea, and finds that although VET provides opportunities for a second chance at education to many prospective students, the percentage who complete their studies and gain a qualification is modest. Show less

This paper presents a series of stylised facts from the research literature on vocational education… Show more

This paper presents a series of stylised facts from the research literature on vocational education and training and older people. It includes the following topics: Education is front end loaded; VET is really important in providing older people a second chance; Increases in educational participation of older persons have been very modest; Education makes a large difference to workforce engagement of older people; Qualifications obtained later in life appear to pay off, at least in terms of workforce engagement; ...but training is no panacea; Skills learnt on the job are very important; and Attitudes of both employers and employees create barriers for training for older people. Show less

A survey measuring employers' views of the VET system has been conducted biennially since 1995, with… Show more

A survey measuring employers' views of the VET system has been conducted biennially since 1995, with the exception of 2003. This document outlines the history of the individual surveys and how they have evolved. It also compares each survey to the previous survey that was conducted and notes the major differences. Show less

This study identifies and evaluates the pathways available from school to vocational education and t… Show more

This study identifies and evaluates the pathways available from school to vocational education and training and to work, for students who are deaf or hard of hearing. Research involved interviews with seven young people from Victoria who had either just completed secondary school and were enrolling in a VET course, or had completed a course and were looking for work. The study found that only when they undertook apprenticeships and traineeships did students find employment related to their field, and that more emphasis needs to be placed on developing strategies to assist deaf students to overcome attitudinal barriers in the workplace. Show less

The relevance of higher-level vocational education and training qualifications to students and emplo… Show more

The relevance of higher-level vocational education and training qualifications to students and employers in six industry sectors; namely, disability services; nursing; engineering; electronics/electro-technology; multi-media; and design, is explored in this report. The report suggests possible improvements, including a greater emphasis on opportunities within training programs for extended and practical workplace experience and in cross-discipline knowledge and industry skills. Show less

This report maps the picture of Indigenous people's participation in vocational education and traini… Show more

This report maps the picture of Indigenous people's participation in vocational education and training and other educational services across Australia's desert regions. The report identifies a range of innovations and barriers experienced in enabling pathways through learning into work and other meaningful livelihood opportunities. Show less

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numer… Show more

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2005. The reports examine a wide range of literacy and numeracy issues: from its definition in policy-making terms, teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. The research also covers literacy practices and various approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings. Show less

To mark the occasion of our 25th anniversary, NCVER brought together policy, industry and academic l… Show more

To mark the occasion of our 25th anniversary, NCVER brought together policy, industry and academic leaders to reflect on the role that research and statistics have played in the development of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector. This publication includes the original papers by the speakers at the event, accompanied by discussant reflections. The publication will be of interest to those wishing to understand the development of a VET statistical and research capacity in Australia. Show less

It is argued that workforce planning should be built on an understanding of how the labour market wo… Show more

It is argued that workforce planning should be built on an understanding of how the labour market works and the links between it and education and training. Workforce planning is particularly difficult for the resources and infrastructure industry because the demand for resources is difficult to forecast and the industry is made up of relatively small employers and draws workers from a wide range of occupations. Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) has a key role in facilitating regional economic development… Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) has a key role in facilitating regional economic development. One way that VET can do this is by forming partnerships with other organisations, such as other training providers, business/industry, schools and local government. This 'at a glance' publication gives an overview of recent research exploring how partnerships can address regional needs. Show less

The ageing society has been attracting the attention of policy-makers in Australia and in many other… Show more

The ageing society has been attracting the attention of policy-makers in Australia and in many other countries. This paper considers the labour market for the traditional trades in Australia over the next 40 years and investigates whether the ageing society will pose a workforce problem. The broad conclusion is that the ageing society will significantly impact on the size of the potential trades workforce, but that this is unlikely to result in shortages. Rather, any shortage is more likely to occur if the trades lose their attractiveness relative to other occupations. Moreover, the age distribution of the trades workforce will remain largely unaltered. Show less

This research examines innovative solutions developed by the vocational education and training (VET)… Show more

This research examines innovative solutions developed by the vocational education and training (VET) sector in response to skill shortages in the health sector. The study focuses on VET-trained workers in the health industry, and includes enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, personal care assistants, allied health assistants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. The research, which also examines innovative overseas approaches to skill shortages in this industry, found that a partnership approach was one answer to dealing with skills shortages in this sector. Show less

This book of research readings provides clear evidence that adult prisoners and offenders who partic… Show more

This book of research readings provides clear evidence that adult prisoners and offenders who participate in vocational education and training (VET) during their sentence are less likely to re-offend. A reduction in recidivism represents significant cost savings to the community. This books highlights recent improvements in the delivery of VET for adult prisoners and offenders in Australia. Show less

This report explores patterns of regional economic growth in Australia over the period 1984 to 2002… Show more

This report explores patterns of regional economic growth in Australia over the period 1984 to 2002 with the aim of identifying the drivers of variation in regional growth; the research also aimed to identify regional opportunities and the policies and practices that can assist in realising them, in particular, the contribution the VET sector may make towards regional growth. The research found that human capital, especially 'enterprising' human capital, whereby individuals take responsibility for action, is the key driver of regional growth. Show less

The study looks at what factors encourage young people to pursue an apprenticeship. Information from… Show more

The study looks at what factors encourage young people to pursue an apprenticeship. Information from students and courses indicates that the key drivers of apprenticeship uptake are intrinsic interest and academic ability. School students with higher academic ability are less interested in apprenticeships. In contrast, those who are part way through their apprenticeship are very positive about the experience, especially the enjoyment associated with learning new skills and future prospects for career progression and pay. Show less

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople, with… Show more

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople, with a special focus on electrotechnology, automotive and engineering students. It found that pre-apprenticeships have been used in Australia for many years and are widely regarded as a valuable strategy for increasing the supply and quality of potential apprentices. Pre-apprenticeships are favoured by employers because they weed out unsuitable candidates and improve retention, while apprentices see them as a useful way of gaining experience in the trade. Show less

The use, learning and transfer of workplace numeracy skills, as well as current understandings of th… Show more

The use, learning and transfer of workplace numeracy skills, as well as current understandings of the term numeracy, are examined in this study. It also highlights the importance of numeracy as an essential workplace skill. The report challenges the training system and training organisations to provide numeracy training which makes links directly to workplace contexts as well as to mathematical concepts. Show less

This study examined non-accredited community language, literacy and numeracy provision in Australia.… Show more

This study examined non-accredited community language, literacy and numeracy provision in Australia. A diverse range of providers assist many adults who do not need or cannot yet cope with accredited training. Growth in self-confidence appears as important as development of literacy and numeracy skills, with teachers and tutors playing a key role in this. Show less