All publications

The purpose of this study is to evaluate, from a national perspective, the impact and outcomes of ma… Show more

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. Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in schools have significantly expa… Show more

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. Show less

Presented to the Second Sino-Australia Vocational Education and Training Conference at Chongqing on… Show more

Presented to the Second Sino-Australia Vocational Education and Training Conference at Chongqing on 3-5 August, 2005, this paper looks at linkages between the Australian vocational education and training system and the labour market--the formal legal and administrative structures, general skills development, and the dynamics of the labour market. Show less

The idea that individuals,enterprises and economies gain financially from increased participation in… Show more

The idea that individuals,enterprises and economies gain financially from increased participation in education or training is often assumed, but is not always easy to demonstrate or quantify. This report explores the benefits of further training for people with low levels of numeracy by analysing Australian and United States longitudinal data which allow links to be made between numeracy level, likelihood of training participation and the wages outcomes of training for less numerate workers. Analysis of the Australian data indicates that individuals with low numeracy skills are less likely to undertake further education, but gain positive and significant economic returns when they do. Continuing with formal schooling is positive and significant for individuals with very low numeracy skills. Show less

The principles and practices that build and sustain social partnerships in communities in a range of… Show more

The principles and practices that build and sustain social partnerships in communities in a range of contexts are considered in this report. Three types of social partnerships are identified in the analysis, along with a discussion of the implications of changing circumstances for the principles and practices identified. This project is phase 1 of a two-phase project. Phase 2 will investigate the application of these principles and practices to vocational education and training in specific regions. Show less

This report analyses the progression of workers from process workers to supervisors in the oil and g… Show more

This report analyses the progression of workers from process workers to supervisors in the oil and gas (hydrocarbons) industry, and the kind of training and work experiences they have undertaken. It also looks for commonalities in the skills progression for different workers, and draws out implications for the oil and gas industry, other industries and the vocational education and training (VET) system. The extensive formal and informal training delivered within the oil and gas industry has essentially been conducted in isolation from the formal VET sector. The study offers insights into the way advanced skills are developed by mature workers in a demanding industry, and suggests ways in which the VET sector could respond. Show less

Personal care workers in residential care facilities, who make up one in two of the workforce, are t… Show more

Personal care workers in residential care facilities, who make up one in two of the workforce, are the focus of this research. These workers require training because of new work roles linked to new policies and national accreditation standards for residential care facilities. The report identifies how effective skills recognition and training might be provided, drawing on case studies. Show less

The use and value of qualifications has gained a significant amount of policy attention in recent ye… Show more

The use and value of qualifications has gained a significant amount of policy attention in recent years. This study examines the use of qualifications within the recruitment searching and decision-making processes undertaken by employers in the labour market. It uses data gained from a survey of 359 employers from across Australia. The results verify that employers place higher value on personal qualities, previous work experience and experience in their particular industry. Most employers acknowledge that while qualifications signal greater potential for learning and skills acquisition, they see them as weaker signals for more immediate competence. Show less

This technical report looks at options for determining more about, firstly, students in VET who do n… Show more

This technical report looks at options for determining more about, firstly, students in VET who do not complete their training, and secondly, the longer term outcomes of students in VET who undertake apprenticeships and traineeships. The use of both administrative data and survey methodologies are explored, including from several overseas countries. It then provides views on the best technical options. Show less

A stocktake of issues and activities in vocational education and training in schools through the per… Show more

A stocktake of issues and activities in vocational education and training in schools through the perspectives of the published literature and policy documentation between 1997 and 2003 is the subject of this report. It identifies progress made and concludes that vocational programs in schools are meeting expectations and have achieved a legitimate place in the school curriculum, but that several implementation issues remain. Show less

This study analyses the role of traineeships in the transition from school to work, using data from… Show more

This study analyses the role of traineeships in the transition from school to work, using data from a sample of a group of young Australians who were in Year 9 in 1995. This group of young people has been surveyed each year from 1995 to 2002. The characteristics associated with participation in a traineeship are examined, as are the labour market outcomes. It was found that young people who undertake traineeships between the ages of 15 and 21 years do better in the labour market than those who leave school and do not undertake any post-school education and training. Show less

The development of a uniquely Australian system of innovation and its relation to the vocational edu… Show more

The development of a uniquely Australian system of innovation and its relation to the vocational education and training (VET) system is considered in this discussion paper. It asserts that the Australian system of innovation fits the pattern of incremental innovation and diffusion of technical knowledge. It focuses on arrangements prior to the formation of the technical and further education system in the late 1970s. It concludes that the diffusion of knowledge and the development of a workforce capable of developing innovative local technical solutions has long been the domain of VET institutions in Australia. Show less

This report provides details of the activities and experiences of the Year 9 class of 1998 in the Lo… Show more

This report provides details of the activities and experiences of the Year 9 class of 1998 in the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) project at a single point in time. The reference period for this report is October 2003, when the modal age of the cohort was 19 years.textThis report, published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program. Show less

This report examines recent school leavers who commenced non-apprenticeship vocational education and… Show more

This report examines recent school leavers who commenced non-apprenticeship vocational education and training (VET) courses in Australia during the late 1990s. It focuses on the early post-school years, up to age 20. The report aims to describe educational, training and labour market pathways of non-apprenticeship VET course entrants and identifies factors associated with persistence in these VET courses. It explores gender differences, low socio-economic status and educational and marketing characteristics. Research report no. 47 This report, published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program. Show less

This report provides details of the activities and experiences of the Year 9 class of 1998 in the Lo… Show more

This report provides details of the activities and experiences of the Year 9 class of 1998 in the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) project at a single point in time. The reference period for this report is October 2004, when the modal age of the cohort was 21 years. textThis report, published by the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER), is part of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) research program. Show less

It has long been accepted that adult literacy and numeracy is best taught and learned in real-life s… Show more

It has long been accepted that adult literacy and numeracy is best taught and learned in real-life situations that relate to everyday needs. This means that opportunities for learning are everywhere, not just in formal learning situations. This report seeks to identify examples and principles of the successful integration of learning about adult literacy into Australian community and workplace settings. This fresh and critical approach leads the authors to draw a number of new and important findings about valuing and embedding a range of literacies into community and workplace activities rather than teaching literacy in isolation. It acknowledges that literacy and numeracy are fundamental to the growth of skills and networks, especially for communities who feel left behind and socially excluded. Show less

How experiences with the workplace while at school affect young people after leaving school is the s… Show more

How experiences with the workplace while at school affect young people after leaving school is the subject of this report. The experiences include those gained through work experience, school-based New Apprenticeships, part-time work and vocational placements in VET in Schools programs. Specific areas explored include the views of young people on the value of the various workplace experiences; for example, in relation to their staying at school and their post-school-to-work plans and pathways. Show less

This book of readings combines the results of a body of research on the funding and financing of voc… Show more

This book of readings combines the results of a body of research on the funding and financing of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. Funding arrangements, or how money is distributed, are described in the first section of this book and includes chapters on allocation of funding by state training authorities, the effects of market reform in the VET sector and funding for various disadvantaged groups. Financing, the subject of the second half of the book, refers to how money is raised. In this section the various contributions to costs of VET by government, employers and individuals are discussed, as are various methods whereby funds are attracted to the sector, for example, TAFE fees and charges and various mechanisms designed to increase employer and individual investment. Show less

This report explores access to vocational education and training (and university) currently and hist… Show more

This report explores access to vocational education and training (and university) currently and historically over the past 20 years. It reports that those young people most likely to miss out on vocational education and training include those with disabilities, young people still living at home, children from single-parent families and those families with a history of parental unemployment. Those individuals face patterns of 'cumulative disadvantage'. In addition, the report argues strongly for striking a balance between the pursuit of social and economic outcomes as being essential for community-based initiatives aimed at addressing access and equity in vocational education and training. Show less

This publication presents the results of a comprehensive research program on Indigenous Australians… Show more

This publication presents the results of a comprehensive research program on Indigenous Australians in vocational education and training (VET), along with feedback from over 200 people who attended the NCVER Research Forum on Indigenous VET in August 2005. The planning and implementation of the research strategy and the forum were undertaken in a partnership between the National Centre for Vocational Education Research and the former Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council of the Australian National Training Authority Board. Show less