All publications

This report highlights the diversity of assessment methods used in flexible delivery modes of teachi… Show more

This report highlights the diversity of assessment methods used in flexible delivery modes of teaching across Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector. While assessment practice is underpinned by training package and course curriculum requirements, other factors influence the methods teachers and assessors choose. These include the availability of qualified workplace assessors, the proximity of students to teachers or assessors, the need to ensure students' work is their own, and the involvement of learners and workplaces in the assessment process. This suggests challenges and opportunities exist for teachers in a competency-based training and assessment system. Show less

This report identifies student characteristics - demographic and life-stage factors - which influenc… Show more

This report identifies student characteristics - demographic and life-stage factors - which influence successful completion of vocational education and training (VET) subjects. It finds the likelihood of passing is significantly reduced for people who are Indigenous, have a disability, are of non-English speaking background, are unemployed or are aged 19 years or less. The research is based on statistical analysis. Show less

Group training organisations act as intermediaries between enterprises and apprentices and trainees… Show more

Group training organisations act as intermediaries between enterprises and apprentices and trainees to facilitate on- and off-the-job training. This report examines the role of the group training organisations (GTOs) in Australia's labour market. The authors find that GTOs, at their best, help promote sustainable work-based learning solutions by sharing the risks associated with employment and gaining new skills. However, the authors argue that changes in policy since the early 1990s are likely to undermine the provision of quality group training services. Instead, they state the best features of the group training model, such as operating on a not-for-profit basis, should underpin future reforms to all GTOs. Show less

Innovative companies in emerging industries have diverse and important training needs. This study ex… Show more

Innovative companies in emerging industries have diverse and important training needs. This study examines the training requirements of emerging industries and the role Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector plays to develop further employees' skills and knowledge. As innovative companies often operate at the leading edge of their technological fields, the training they require is highly specialised and sometimes unique. While the VET sector already provides customised training for employers, there are opportunities for the sector to advance the currency of its knowledge, develop programs to deliver special training, and extend the expertise and knowledge of its teachers. Show less

Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER, presented this paper at the 2003 Australian Council for Pri… Show more

Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER, presented this paper at the 2003 Australian Council for Private Education and Training National Conference, 28-30 August 2003. It discusses NCVER's work to expand its national statistics collection to capture Australia's total vocational education and training (VET) effort under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF). Currently, there is a significant information gap relating to the collection of statistics from privately funded, AQF-related VET activity. Show less

This study investigates the views of TAFE teachers, school teachers and school students on VET in Sc… Show more

This study investigates the views of TAFE teachers, school teachers and school students on VET in Schools programs. It discovered most schools agree that offering vocational education and training (VET) programs as part of the higher school certificate is a useful means of improving students' learning and success at school. VET in Schools programs are also generally believed to provide students with opportunities and pathways which may not have otherwise been available. The range of factors affecting the ability of schools to offer good VET programs are described, as is TAFE's role in assisting early school leavers. Show less

Some students, who complete a preparatory or pre-vocational course in the vocational education and t… Show more

Some students, who complete a preparatory or pre-vocational course in the vocational education and training (VET) sector, re-enrol in the same 'enabling' course or at the same level of qualification in following years. Findings of this report indicate that re-enrolling in enabling courses offers positive outcomes. Students who re-enrol in enabling courses are either undertaking more advanced courses within the same level of qualification, studying to retain or improve their skills, or to gain further skills and experience to progress within the VET system or into the workforce. Show less

This volume is a companion to 'The funding of vocational education and training for students with di… Show more

This volume is a companion to 'The funding of vocational education and training for students with disabilities: Volume 1'. The detailed report of the project is contained in volume 1 while volume 2 contains the appendices. Show less

This report provides important information for those who manage training institutions and are commit… Show more

This report provides important information for those who manage training institutions and are committed to making the learning environment more supportive for people with a disability. It looks at how the vocational education and training system currently allocates funds to support students with a disability, and suggests other funding models to promote their participation. Show less

The adult and community (ACE) sector and technical and further education (TAFE) institutes provide p… Show more

The adult and community (ACE) sector and technical and further education (TAFE) institutes provide programs for young people which re-connect them to education. This report suggests these programs and settings are considered effective pathways for some young people who have left school early. The researchers found students are attracted to the programs by key features, including the quality of relationships between students and staff, flexible mode of delivery, choice of study areas, and opportunities for personal autonomy. Show less

This report investigates the medium-term outcomes of vocational education and training (VET) program… Show more

This report investigates the medium-term outcomes of vocational education and training (VET) programs delivered by rural schools. It discovers school-based VET programs successfully retain students who may have left school, and assist students' transition from school to work. Work placements are particularly valuable to assist the transition from school to local jobs and apprenticeships, thereby increasing youth retention in the community. These findings suggest school-based VET programs in rural areas have the potential to develop skills and pathways for the future workforce of rural Australia. Additional information to this report is available in 'Pathways from rural schools: Does school VET make a difference? - Support document' on NCVER's website . Show less

This report provides an overview of funding arrangements implemented as a result of the 1992 Austral… Show more

This report provides an overview of funding arrangements implemented as a result of the 1992 Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) Agreement. The Agreement sought to establish a unified national system of vocational education and training (VET) with joint Commonwealth, state and territory responsibility. The report discusses the outcomes of government, industry and individual investment in training, and includes examples of overseas funding models. Show less

This presentation was made at the national conference of the National Association of Graduate Career… Show more

This presentation was made at the national conference of the National Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services at Southern Cross University in Lismore in December 2003. Show less

These 'stories' from the field document actual case studies of teaching, assessing, and implementing… Show more

These 'stories' from the field document actual case studies of teaching, assessing, and implementing generic skills. These skills and attributes are sought by employers across business and industry, as set out by the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) and Business Council of Australia (BCA). The 'stories' are designed to advise and foster better teaching practices. Show less

Australia's tertiary education sector comprises higher (university) education and vocational educati… Show more

Australia's tertiary education sector comprises higher (university) education and vocational education and training (VET). The purpose of this paper is to contrast the two sectors in terms of the way they are defined, their size and recent growth, the characteristics of their students, and access and equity within the two sectors. The paper also considers the links between the two sectors. Show less

This report uses four case studies to examine how human resource practices of TAFE institutes have c… Show more

This report uses four case studies to examine how human resource practices of TAFE institutes have changed to accommodate flexible delivery and the changing roles of staff. It reveals that a whole of organisation customer-service philosophy is a useful basis for flexible delivery and the trend is towards team-based approaches. The detailed findings in this report mirror those in the report 'The impact of flexible delivery on human resource practices: Survey of TAFE managers'. Show less

This study investigates which market groups are most likely to take up and use online vocational edu… Show more

This study investigates which market groups are most likely to take up and use online vocational education and training (VET) delivery, and identifies key factors that influence demand from these groups. Students undertaking training to change their careers or improve their skills, and self-employed people are the most likely to favour online delivery. Potential employer markets include group training companies and large organisations. Current user groups report they seek training that is short, simple, available in easy-to-manage chunks, and immediately accessible. Other suggestions to change online training product and pricing to tap into the mass market are also included. Show less

Queensland is leading Australia in offering vocational education and training (VET) options to stude… Show more

Queensland is leading Australia in offering vocational education and training (VET) options to students through the VET in Schools program, and has the highest rate of school students enrolled in technical and further education (TAFE) institutes. However, the success of such initiatives is dependent on the ability to transfer qualifications gained (part or full) across educational sectors. The report suggests adopting a state-wide approach to generating better articulation and credit transfer arrangements, combined with financial assistance for schools, TAFE institutes and universities to develop innovative inter-sectoral arrangements. Show less

The transition from school to work continues to be difficult for some Australian school-leavers and… Show more

The transition from school to work continues to be difficult for some Australian school-leavers and youth unemployment remains high. This report looks at the methods used by Australian school-leavers to find employment, focusing on the social processes involved. The aim of the report is to assess various relationships. In particular, the relationship between schooling, social background and job finding strategies and the connection between the method used to find work and the quality of work obtained. It also assesses the importance of informal methods of job seeking behaviour in helping young people find employment. Research report no. 37 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 volume is a companion to Getting connected: Professional development of contract and casual sta… Show more

This volume is a companion to Getting connected: Professional development of contract and casual staff providing flexible delivery - Volume 1. The detailed report of the project is contained in volume 1 while volume 2 contains the appendices. Show less