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Indigenous Australians participate in training for many reasons and achieve a range of outcomes. Thi… Show more

Indigenous Australians participate in training for many reasons and achieve a range of outcomes. This systematic review of existing research focuses on the key factors required to ensure Indigenous people achieve the outcomes they aspire to personally and for their communities. It provides evidence to enable vocational education and training policy-makers and practitioners to act and move forward in developing training that meets the aspirations and needs of Indigenous Australians. Show less

Two well-established findings about employer-provided training form the backdrop to this research. F… Show more

Two well-established findings about employer-provided training form the backdrop to this research. First, the provision of training and its associated expenditure are highly variable across employers, notably by industry and employment size. Second, employer engagement with the formal system of VET is substantial, and growing, but a number of employers are not entirely satisfied with the system. This publication consolidates and synthesises a body of research conducted over the past few years on the topic of training provided by employers for their workforces. Show less

Over the past decade, the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector has focused on t… Show more

Over the past decade, the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector has focused on the outcomes of training in terms of qualifications and competencies. Up until this time there had been little information available on the value that employers place on qualifications and how they use them to contribute to the success of their business. This 'at a glance' synthesises recent research, which shows that employers do value qualifications, and see them as having three main benefits: to 'screen' candidates in the recruitment process, to meet compliance requirements, and to provide career development for existing workers. However, VET providers could encourage employers to view qualifications more favourably by linking them to skills required at work and by keeping costs down, especially of the assessment process. Show less

Ensuring that people have the appropriate level of numeracy skills is particularly important in jobs… Show more

Ensuring that people have the appropriate level of numeracy skills is particularly important in jobs which involve a risk to public safety and the environment. This research investigates the job-related numeracy requirements in the chemical spraying and handling operations of the horticulture, local government, outdoor recreation and warehousing industries. Findings from this study indicate that the worksite influences both the type of numeracy skills needed as well as how they are deployed. Numeracy in the workplace differs from formal, rule-based abstract mathematics taught in school and requires training that is relevant to the specific applications of the skill. Implications for the future practice of teaching numeracy on the job are offered and highlight the need to consciously develop critical thinking, learning-to-learn, planning and problem-solving skills in workers. Show less

Increasingly, vocational education and training (VET) practitioners work with industry and within pr… Show more

Increasingly, vocational education and training (VET) practitioners work with industry and within private enterprises in arrangements that provide training for workers. This report, based on interviews with TAFE practitioners and managers, enterprise managers and on-the-job learners, highlights the expanding roles of TAFE practitioners in these training arrangements. It finds that in private enterprises TAFE practitioners introduce new elements to learning, provide support to managers and workers, build links between the organisation and TAFE and raise training standards. They also foster a learning culture, support individual workers, and act as a model of lifelong learning. The impact of TAFE practitioners' work is also analysed from the perspective of the enterprises, and findings indicate that it is valued by industry counterparts. However, the success of the training arrangement, which can significantly improve learning in the workplace, depends on establishing effective relationships between TAFE and industry. Show less

This study investigates where certificate I and II qualifications lead young people aged 15-24 years… Show more

This study investigates where certificate I and II qualifications lead young people aged 15-24 years in terms of employment and further study. A prime motivation for young people undertaking these qualifications is to facilitate transition into the labour market. These qualifications are aimed at developing basic vocational skills or preparatory access skills. The findings indicate that certificates I and II graduates experienced reasonable employment outcomes in the 15 to 19-year-old group. However, overall, vocational and further study outcomes from certificates I and II qualifications among young people could only be described as fair. The study finds quite low rates of completing courses at certificate I and II level among young people. Show less

This report focuses on young people who are not in full-time study, nor in the labour force. It inve… Show more

This report focuses on young people who are not in full-time study, nor in the labour force. It investigates two groups of young people who had experienced time outside of work and full-time education. The report looks at: who spends time outside the labour force and full-time study; what their activities are during this time; and what factors contribute to these young persons returning to full-time study or the workforce. Understanding these factors is important in identifying these young people early on so that time spent outside of the labour force or full-time study does not become a further disadvantage over time. Research report no. 45 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 focuses on New Apprenticeships. New Apprenticeships provide a pathway from school to adu… Show more

This report focuses on New Apprenticeships. New Apprenticeships provide a pathway from school to adult working life for a significant proportion of young people. New Apprenticeships are based on a combination of study and work, linking learning in the workplace with learning in an educational institution. This report asks two questions: What, overall, are the character traits of young people who commence a New Apprenticeship? What are the entry requirements to access a New Apprenticeship? Research report no. 44 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 focuses on Year 12 students who applied to go to university but were not offered a place… Show more

This report focuses on Year 12 students who applied to go to university but were not offered a place. It also explores the social and educational backgrounds of these students. The main reason for students missing out on a place was due to a lower level of academic performance. The study found that by 2003, approximately 45% of students analysed in 2001 were engaged in post-school education and training; 24% were enrolled in a TAFE diploma course; 11% were in traineeships; six per cent were in a TAFE certificate course; and five per cent were taking part in an apprenticeship. Research report no. 46 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 study examines the linkages between vocational education and training (VET) and industry in Chi… Show more

This study examines the linkages between vocational education and training (VET) and industry in China and Australia. It details each country's arrangements for the provision of industry advice to governments and discusses industry-specific programs and skill development activities, including apprenticeships. It notes how changes in the economic, political and educational philosophies of Chinese governments have affected the operation of the linkages there, and how industry associations and organisations can play a larger role in the training of the population. It also notes the importance of employer incentives for increasing the participation of industry in training. Show less

New information and communication technologies are changing literacy practices at an unprecedented r… Show more

New information and communication technologies are changing literacy practices at an unprecedented rate. As literacies are being transformed by technological change, electronic communication and the globalisation of knowledge, this poses new questions and challenges for literacy educators. Using a case study approach, this report examines the interaction between new and emerging digital technologies, adult learning and literacies for both educators and learners. The findings demonstrate that changes to teaching practices associated with the use of information and communication technologies are possible. Some important findings also provide a base for developing systematic and informed approaches to further adult literacy education in an age where literacy practices are increasingly mediated by the use of information and communication technologies. Show less

This study focuses on the general question of the value of vocational qualifications to employers by… Show more

This study focuses on the general question of the value of vocational qualifications to employers by considering three areas in which the economic value of vocational qualifications to employers is evident: in prerequisites specified in job hiring, in employment levels of people with different qualifications, and in the wage levels of people with different qualifications. The findings indicate that employers want people with qualifications when recruiting for some jobs, but experience is more valuable. Employers are more likely to employ people with qualifications but this depends on the level of qualification, age and sex. Employers pay more for people with qualifications but again, this depends on the type of qualification - schooling matters more than low-level vocational qualifications. Revised 20 October 2005. Show less

It is well documented that individuals with poor verbal, reading and writing skills face disadvantag… Show more

It is well documented that individuals with poor verbal, reading and writing skills face disadvantages. However, many individuals with such difficulties lead successful lives. This project investigated the ways in which ten individuals have achieved success despite difficulties with literacy and learning. Show less

This project investigates the uptake of e-learning in two countries (Australia and Korea) which have… Show more

This project investigates the uptake of e-learning in two countries (Australia and Korea) which have experienced a rapid expansion of the use of information technology in education and training. A key finding is that although e-learning can increase flexibility and cost efficiencies in the delivery of training, it cannot on its own guarantee successful learning outcomes for students. The way in which the teacher and the learner utilise the technology continues to be important. Show less

This paper investigates the strategies and practices used by institutions worldwide to develop the p… Show more

This paper investigates the strategies and practices used by institutions worldwide to develop the professional experience of teachers and practitioners. It also explores successful models for ensuring that staff development provides a way of maintaining relevance in an increasingly complicated and globalised training market. Show less

New ways of thinking about how language, literacy and numeracy skills are taught has coincided with… Show more

New ways of thinking about how language, literacy and numeracy skills are taught has coincided with a fundamental policy change in the vocational education and training sector. A major development has been the integration of literacy, language and numeracy skills into vocational training. The complexity of the issues makes it important to gain a better understanding of what actually happens in Australia, especially in the workplace. This study explores how training practitioners are using the reforms in the national training system, and their knowledge of new approaches to teaching and learning to integrate language, literacy and numeracy into workplace training programs in the community services sector. Although the study is small scale, it provides an informative snapshot of how a number of providers are integrating language, literacy and numeracy into vocational programs. Show less

The formal court system in Australia has long been criticised for its adversarial nature. As a resul… Show more

The formal court system in Australia has long been criticised for its adversarial nature. As a result, there has been an increase in the use of alternative dispute resolution processes such as mediation. These are promoted as a means of increasing access to justice by disadvantaged groups and as an inexpensive way of solving legal or quasi-legal disputes. In practice, however, alternative dispute resolution requires the ability to comprehend complex written texts involving both literacy and numeracy. This report investigates the difficulties experienced by users of alternative dispute resolution in Australia, as a result of their levels of literacy and numeracy skills. The study highlights that limited literacy and numeracy can be a barrier to fair participation in mediation processes, despite these processes being promoted as a fair and equitable process for all. The report identifies alternative dispute resolution processes that lead to difficulties, includes suggestions for professional development for mediators, and offers specific strategies for mediators to assist those who have limited literacy and numeracy. Show less

The project investigates learning and career development services for adults, particularly those who… Show more

The project investigates learning and career development services for adults, particularly those who are in some way disengaged from the labour market or educational systems. The study considers whether a single career development service model could be broadly applied. The study found that many older job seekers or those marginally employed needing career advice were reluctant to seek it, and that such advice was best provided by agencies which are community-based, affordable and impartial. Show less

This report investigates factors that influence the decision-making process of applicants and the ou… Show more

This report investigates factors that influence the decision-making process of applicants and the outcomes of post-school applications using the 2001 Survey of Education, Training and Information Technology. It finds that inability to obtain any place at a university or vocational education and training institute in 2001 was very low, but considerably higher in terms of getting a place in a preferred course at a preferred institution. The report adds to the understanding of what is known about the prevalence and causes of unmet student demand for tertiary education, a sensitive issue which is often not well understood. Show less

The demographic changes in Australia's labour market present challenges for technical and further ed… Show more

The demographic changes in Australia's labour market present challenges for technical and further education (TAFE) institutes. Within TAFE institutes, in which the teaching workforce is older than the overall national labour force, the imminent departure of many teachers endangers its prime asset - its skill and knowledge base. This report examines the approaches managers and leaders in 16 TAFE institutes have undertaken to sustain, develop and renew their workforce and build their organisation's knowledge. It finds that TAFE managers now recognise that maintaining and developing their organisation's skill base is imperative, but that finding approaches to sustain TAFE in the longer term requires more attention. Show less