All publications

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

The education of the population and the skilling of the workforce are the factors which are going to… Show more

The education of the population and the skilling of the workforce are the factors which are going to determine a nation's fortunes in the 21st century much more than they have in the 20th century. The skills base of a nation and the speed with which skilling can adjust to meet new requirements will be as important, if not more important in determining economic success than a nation's natural resources and financial capital base. These changes will not be achieved without further significant reform to our education and training system. This report discusses these issues and the direction for the future. Show less

This report looks at students' and teachers' perceptions of initial vocational education and trainin… Show more

This report looks at students' and teachers' perceptions of initial vocational education and training. It also reveals how students engage in learning in education and training, provides a description of current teaching practices, and shows the influences which shape learning and teaching in initial VET. Show less

This report has investigated the impact of the increased trend towards casualisation and outsourcing… Show more

This report has investigated the impact of the increased trend towards casualisation and outsourcing of work on learning arrangements. It found that there has been an increase in highly task-specific or job-specific training. Moreover, labour hire companies tend to spend less on the training of their employees because they prefer to recruit people who already have the skills needed. This means that non-standard workers are largely responsible for accessing, organising and funding their own training. 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 to 1999 including age, AQF level and geographic region, along with employment trends and forecasts for occupations in these trades. [revised and updated] Show less

Australia's employment-based training efforts have undergone considerable change in recent decades.… Show more

Australia's employment-based training efforts have undergone considerable change in recent decades. More occupations and industries have adopted employment-based training methods. This research uses historical data and a macro-economic forecasting model to divine forecasts for future employment-based training. Detailed tables of forecasts by occupation are presented. Show less

This is a workshop presentation given by the then Managing Director of NCVER, in August 2000 in Beij… Show more

This is a workshop presentation given by the then Managing Director of NCVER, in August 2000 in Beijing, China. Show less

An overview of the report 'Meeting the demand: The needs of VET clients'. Today the provision of voc… Show more

An overview of the report 'Meeting the demand: The needs of VET clients'. Today the provision of vocational education is being shaped more and more by the needs of clients. This report examines the needs of four client groups - industry, enterprises, communities and individuals - and discusses the consequences for policy and practice in VET of their needs. It focuses particularly on the food processing and clerical industries in three regions (a metropolitan centre, a provincial centre and a remote rural centre). Show less

This report describes the range of outcome measures used in the VET systems and reviews a range of l… Show more

This report describes the range of outcome measures used in the VET systems and reviews a range of literature concerning these measures. The report identifies various perspectives on outcome measures - those of governments, of employers, of students and the broader community and how these perspectives influence the type of measures in use. The report covers research related to student outcomes, training markets and outcomes, reducing unemployment as an outcome, industry-oriented outcomes, industry investment in training, VET in schools and outcome measures in the broader context. Show less

This publication is designed for those who need an overview of publicly funded vocational education… Show more

This publication is designed for those who need an overview of publicly funded vocational education and training activity delivered under South Australia's vocational education and training system. It provides an overview of South Australian vocational education and training students, and the outputs and outcomes from the South Australian vocational education and training system in 1997. Information is provided from a wide range of sources including the NCVER's 1998 Graduate Destination Survey and 1997 Employer Satisfaction Survey, national VET provider and apprentice and trainee data collections, and population and labour force statistics prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Show less

The aim of the study was to draw together recent literature and examples of current practice to prov… Show more

The aim of the study was to draw together recent literature and examples of current practice to provide an overview of on-line delivery in education and training in Australia. The report summarises findings within seven key areas. This study points to future directions in on-line delivery. Show less

This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the electrical and electronic t… Show more

This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the electrical and electronic trades over the period 1995 to 1999 including age, AQF level and geographic region, along with employment trends and forecasts for occupations in these trades. [revised and updated] Show less

This report describes the use of large-scale economy-wide models which are available in Australia fo… Show more

This report describes the use of large-scale economy-wide models which are available in Australia for occupational forecasting and their use in the VET sector. The paper provides: * a brief review of objectives of VET policy * an overview of international perspectives on the role of occupational forecasting in VET planning * a description of the views and practices of personnel in the VET sector who use labour market projections * an introductory discussion of economic modelling including the nature of economic models, the construction of models, different types of models and the uses and limitation of models * an evaluation of the use of economic and econometric models in assisting VET decisions, particularly the Monash and Murphy models Show less

Today the provision of vocational education is being shaped more and more by the needs of clients. T… Show more

Today the provision of vocational education is being shaped more and more by the needs of clients. This report examines the needs of four client groups - industry, enterprises, communities and individuals - and discusses the consequences of their needs for policy and practice in VET. It focusses particularly on the food processing and clerical industries in three regions (a metropolitan centre, a provincial centre and a remote rural centre). Show less

This report forms part of the research project packaging Training for Gender Equity which was commis… Show more

This report forms part of the research project packaging Training for Gender Equity which was commissioned in 1997 by ANTA and the MCEETYA VEET Women's Taskforce. It presents information on women's experiences in the current VET system derived from a qualitative focus group study with extensive use of participants' own voices. The report identifies some critical factors for women's success and suggests strategies for training providers and brokers in relation to these. Implications for new training arrangements, including New Apprenticeships and user choice, and for further policy development, are also discussed. Show less

This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the mechanical engineering and… Show more

This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the mechanical engineering and fabrication trades over the period 1995 to 1999 including age, AQF level and geographic region, along with employment trends and forecasts for occupations in these trades. [revised and updated] Show less