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This publication summarises the outcomes of 11 research projects funded by the National Research and… Show more

This publication summarises the outcomes of 11 research projects funded by the National Research and Evaluation Committee. It also contains an introductory chapter by Nigel Smart and an invited chapter from Kaye Schofield. Summaries of each of the 11 research projects are also available in the companion volume - Australian Apprenticeships: Research at a glance. Show less

Is spending on training personnel worthwhile? Many of the firms in the research reported here believ… Show more

Is spending on training personnel worthwhile? Many of the firms in the research reported here believed so; and what is more, results in manufacturing (footwear, wire products) suggest that it delivered sizeable returns in labour productivity. Importantly, findings support the view that firms should be undertaking long-term strategic planning, not just targeting day-to-day problems. The research sought to investigate whether comparative case studies of similar enterprises could be used to demonstrate a relationship between training expenditure and productivity. The method proved ineffective in the services sector (top class hotels, supermarkets), apparently because of greater differences between enterprises. Show less

This study explores the mechanisms utilised by adults in Australia and Korea to keep their skills cu… Show more

This study explores the mechanisms utilised by adults in Australia and Korea to keep their skills current or to enhance their range of skills. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries which are providing positive outcomes for adults who are retraining and upskilling, and also highlighted areas of the sector not adequately servicing the needs of this group. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries which are providing positive outcomes for adults who are retraining and upskilling, and also highlighted areas of the sector not adequately servicing the needs of this group. Synergies were identified between the Korean and Australian training systems to assist each country improve their delivery of vocational education and training to adults who wish to improve their skills. Show less

This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the automotive repairs and serv… Show more

This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the automotive repairs and service trades over the period 1995-1999 including age, AQF level and geographic region, along with employment trends and forecasts for occupations in these trades. Show less

This report documents research into employer engagement with New Apprentices in the electrotechnolog… Show more

This report documents research into employer engagement with New Apprentices in the electrotechnology industry. It was the outcome of a national project to identify and analyse the triggers for employers to create New Apprenticeship training places, including the level of demand for apprentices and trainees in the industry, the reasons why employers choose or choose not to train, and the policy levers that may influence employer behaviour. The report was funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Education, Science and Training, to support implementation of the electrotechnology industry's Action Plan under the National Industry Skills Initiative. Show less

Recent studies indicate that enterprises receive beneficial returns from their investment in trainin… Show more

Recent studies indicate that enterprises receive beneficial returns from their investment in training. Human resource practitioners, employers, governments and researchers also agree that more needs to be done to demonstrate the returns to enterprises from this investment. However, many enterprises appear unwilling or unable to actually evaluate these returns and most reported Australian studies have been completed by researchers, rather than enterprises. This report provides an extensive review of recent Australian and overseas studies in order to identify: *key issues that need to be addressed to encourage increased evaluation of training benefits by enterprises *successful approaches that may inform future 'enterprise friendly' studies of returns to enterprises from investment in training. Show less

This report develops and applies a methodology to analyse the flow of students through TAFE courses… Show more

This report develops and applies a methodology to analyse the flow of students through TAFE courses based on national VET data collected for the period 1994 to 1996. While it is important to note that not all those who enrol in a course intend to complete it or may recommence their studies later, it was found that most students leave with a positive outcome. There is also very little difference in outcomes based on gender. Success rates vary substantially by both stream and field of study. Age is also a factor but the pattern is complex. Partial completion of courses is significant and illustrates the flexibility of the TAFE system to accommodate the needs of those who wish to acquire skills and competencies rather than qualifications. Concentration on qualifications alone may therefore seriously underestimate the skill base of the Australian workforce. Show less

Employers in the tourism and hospitality industry go to great lengths to ensure they select applican… Show more

Employers in the tourism and hospitality industry go to great lengths to ensure they select applicants with the right personality and attitude for the job. Training in the tourism and hospitality industry must be directly applicable to the workplace. This report provides details of how best to customise training to meet the skill requirements of tourism and hospitality enterprises. Show less

The report reviews social, educational, employment aspiration and personal factors that affect the r… Show more

The report reviews social, educational, employment aspiration and personal factors that affect the reasons for undertaking particular VET programs. The research concludes that a variety of factors are at play in what is seen as a very personal decision. Work experience, employment, parental influence, school subjects, friends and advertising are all factors, though none predominates, while present employers play only a very minor role. Choice of institution is based on offerings, convenience, affordability, quality and ambience, while passage to higher education is becoming increasingly important. Show less

This issues paper is a summary of some of the important trends worldwide in the organisation of work… Show more

This issues paper is a summary of some of the important trends worldwide in the organisation of work and how some international economic developments have affected the position of workers. The author examines some of the issues these trends raise for education and training and argues for government intervention in vocational education and training on economic and equity groups. Show less

The changes that have occurred in vocational education and training over the last decade have profou… Show more

The changes that have occurred in vocational education and training over the last decade have profound implications for the focus of evaluation. Funding is becoming tied to outputs rather than inputs; a transition is occurring from a supply-side system to one which has some demand-side characteristics; the range of training providers is more diverse than it was; and there has been a change in emphasis from external controls to quality assurance mechanisms. To ensure that future decisions on vocational education and training are well founded, a National Research and Evaluation Strategy has been developed which is administered by NCVER. This discussion paper is intended to inform the further development of the national strategy by strengthening its focus on evaluation. Show less

This report presents indicators available for international comparisons of vocational education and… Show more

This report presents indicators available for international comparisons of vocational education and training. It examines a range of data collections, cultural variations and differences in policy objectives across countries. The study can assist educators, policy-makers, researchers and society in general to measure progress towards the realisation of national education and training goals, with the aim of improving education and training systems. Show less

This booklet provides guidelines for the development, implementation and evaluation of programs whic… Show more

This booklet provides guidelines for the development, implementation and evaluation of programs which aim to give students experience in the workplace. It emphasises the importance of structured workplace training which leads to the achievement of specific objectives and learning outcomes. Also highlighted is the need to prepare students and employers for their specific roles in the training and assessment process, and to provide all participants with specific information of what is expected of them. Show less

This report compares the education and training outputs and outcomes of the Australian higher educat… Show more

This report compares the education and training outputs and outcomes of the Australian higher education and VET sectors. It identifies: which courses appear to have the best employment outcomes; the impact of students' prior education and employment backgrounds on outcomes; and specific social groups where outcomes vary between the sectors. Show less

How does the industry training market actually operate in contemporary Australia and how well does t… Show more

How does the industry training market actually operate in contemporary Australia and how well does the training market meet the needs of employers grappling with the challenges of globalisation? Show less

This study provides an analysis of policies and strategies adopted in five OECD countries to build a… Show more

This study provides an analysis of policies and strategies adopted in five OECD countries to build a learning and training culture. The countries are Britain, United States, Sweden, Netherlands and Germany. The study found that whereas Sweden and the Netherlands have built a learning culture through evolutionary stages embedded in the wider social, economic cultural and political history of the country, Britain shows a revolutionary attempt to change the culture. Show less

There has been growing concern about skill shortages in a number of sectors in the Australian labour… Show more

There has been growing concern about skill shortages in a number of sectors in the Australian labour market in the past couple of years with an increased demand for some skills as a result of improvements in the Australian economy. However, such concerns are not particularly new since skill shortages are a recurring and persistent feature of the Australian labour market. In this report, available evidence about patterns and trends in trades employment and training in the electrotechnology industry is reviewed to gauge the nature and extent of any skill shortages in these electrotechnology trades. Show less

The study analyses the 1997 TAFE graduate destination survey to explore issues concerned with the em… Show more

The study analyses the 1997 TAFE graduate destination survey to explore issues concerned with the employment outcomes from vocational education. The study focuses on earnings and occupations of male and female graduates. The research addresses questions such as why is there a gap in full-time earnings between male and female graduates; why does gaining a TAFE qualification appear not to provide a relative benefit for some female graduates in some industries; is occupational gender segmentation the reason for differences in male and female graduate earnings; is the VET system reinforcing occupational gender segregation by encouraging males and females into different streams of study. The study presents findings based on analysis of national data and also includes findings on an industry by industry basis. Show less

This report investigates the attitudes and aspirations of school students about their post-secondary… Show more

This report investigates the attitudes and aspirations of school students about their post-secondary education and work. It is based on data from a survey of over 7000 Years 10, 11 and 12 students in NSW, WA and Victoria. The research found that students' intentions are strongly influenced by socio-economic background, geographical location and gender. The study measured socio-economic background by the highest level of education achieved by parents and found that differences in socio-economic background are the major factor in student perspectives. The report also found that VET does not have a high profile among school students and TAFE courses do not enjoy the status associated with degree courses Show less

This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of co… Show more

This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of competency-based training (CBT) on the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system. CBT was introduced in the late 1980s as part of wider economic policy measures to improve the skill levels of the Australian workforce, enable Australian industry to be more competitive in global markets and establish new career structures for the Australian workforce. CBT has remained a key element of VET policy adopted by successive governments at federal, State and Territory levels. While early research findings suggested that the implementation of CBT in Australia was neither smooth nor rapid (R Harris et al. 1995), commitment by VET participants, particularly industry and governments, has remained strong and substantial. Show less