All publications

In the extensive literature search investigating the position of women in management and leadership… Show more

In the extensive literature search investigating the position of women in management and leadership in the workforce, there is consistent evidence of the way structures, practices, beliefs, values and attitudes continue to account for the problem of gender equity in the workforce. Much of the literature to date has, therefore, documented the considerable barriers to women's success in workplace cultures and environments. The emphasis in this study is on identifying the factors that currently shape the career success of women in process manufacturing. Show less

This study has described contemporary policy relating to VET in Australia and has asked the question… Show more

This study has described contemporary policy relating to VET in Australia and has asked the question: to what extent do the current laws relating to VET support the development of a national system of vocational education and training? It concludes that while VET legislation is in a process of transition, it is broadly consistent in content and purpose across the range of jurisdictions. It can therefore be argued that the regulation of the provision of VET has been reasonably effective in supporting policy implementation in the sector. Show less

This review of research provides an overview of the literature on the way in which work is changing… Show more

This review of research provides an overview of the literature on the way in which work is changing and the effects such changes have on the VET sector. The nature of the changes is described, including the decrease in full-time permanent work, the move towards increasing part-time and casual work and employment shifts across industries. If VET programs are to be judged successful they need to address the needs of multiple clients simultaneously, and be tolerant of diversity while balancing the tensions between national and/or State policy frameworks and more localised needs. Regional frameworks to connect VET with local and community development networks are particularly important. Show less

This report explores whether competency-based assessment is meeting the needs of its users. The rese… Show more

This report explores whether competency-based assessment is meeting the needs of its users. The researchers found that a number of issues were raised by those consulted in the project. These included grading (the need to bridge the gap between competence and excellence), the quality of competency standards and their treatment of underpinning knowledge, who are appropriate assessors, and what resources are needed to support assessment. The report puts forward strategies to improve competency-based assessment. These strategies are directed at policy-makers, ITABs and registered training organisations. Show less

The publication focuses on examining the extent to which understandings about supply and demand with… Show more

The publication focuses on examining the extent to which understandings about supply and demand within the training market are held in common among the key stakeholders in particular industries. Information is presented in two perspectives, by industry and stakeholder. The publication concludes with a discussion of the factors influencing the extent to which demand-oriented practices have been successfully adopted by Australian industries. Show less

This study reviews both international and Australian literature on provision of vocational education… Show more

This study reviews both international and Australian literature on provision of vocational education in adult and juvenile correctional institutions. The international research includes some studies that found that vocational education and literacy/numeracy education have led to reduced recidivism. The Australian literature, which is small scale at this stage, indicates that VET improves access to employment but the studies do not identify in what way VET assists as there are many variables which affect why prisoners participate in programs. Show less

This publication, edited by Annie Campbell and Penelope Curtin, is aimed at fostering discussion aro… Show more

This publication, edited by Annie Campbell and Penelope Curtin, is aimed at fostering discussion around issues pertinent to adult and community education (ACE) in Australia. Recent relevant literature and reports that relate to the following topics are examined: * Who uses ACE: Future demand * Lifelong learning and ACE * Community in ACE * Widening participation in ACE Show less

This is an overview of the report by the same name which looks at how competency-based training has… Show more

This is an overview of the report by the same name which looks at how competency-based training has helped to achieve the goal of an adaptable and flexible workforce. Show less

This report has been prepared as part of the Indonesia Australia Partnership for Skills Development… Show more

This report has been prepared as part of the Indonesia Australia Partnership for Skills Development (IAPSD) Program as a reference document about the technical and vocational education and training situation in Indonesia and in Australia. The overall goal of the program is to assist in improving workforce skills, so that skill formation arrangements better meet the needs of Indonesian industry. Show less

This study compared costs of delivering workplace and TAFE-based courses in three industries - retai… Show more

This study compared costs of delivering workplace and TAFE-based courses in three industries - retail, hospitality and automotive. The data that were gathered provide an insight into the comparative costs of training and how they are distributed across governments, employers and trainees. Show less

Four major impediments to higher youth employment are identified in this review. These are: the inab… Show more

Four major impediments to higher youth employment are identified in this review. These are: the inability to maintain rates of economic growth sufficient to reduce unemployment without inducing inflationary pressures; changes in the composition of demand for labour favoring more highly skilled workers; systems for delivery of vocational education and training which remain poorly adapted to users' needs; and wage structures that prevent the market for youth labour from clearing. Show less

This booklet provides a review of research on competency-based training. It gives a brief overview o… Show more

This booklet provides a review of research on competency-based training. It gives a brief overview of the historical context of training reforms in Australia and overseas, and examines the implementation of CBT from a variety of perspectives. Show less

The changing nature of indigenous involvement in vocational education and training (VET) over the pa… Show more

The changing nature of indigenous involvement in vocational education and training (VET) over the past decade is one of the most remarkable transformations seen in Australia's educational history. The number of indigenous peoples in VET has grown from just a few thousand in the 1980s to almost 45 000 in 1998. Inequality between indigenous peoples and other Australians in overall participation in VET has now been eliminated. VET providers, particularly TAFE, have opened their doors to indigenous peoples. They have responded and are enrolling in VET courses in record numbers. They are staying in the programs and successfully completing them in greater numbers than ever before. However, there are still many issues that need to be addressed such as balancing representation across courses, improving pass rates and employment outcomes and reducing withdrawal rates. This study suggests strategies that focus on more appropriate provision of courses and improving the outcomes achieved by indigenous students. Show less

This review of research reviews both the Australian discussion papers on reliability and validity of… Show more

This review of research reviews both the Australian discussion papers on reliability and validity of competency-based assessment as well as international empirical research in this field. The review discusses two types of competency-based assessment - paper-based objective testing techniques and performance assessments as well as the implications for validity and reliability of each type of assessment. The review includes guidelines for establishing procedures to enhance reliability and vaidity. Show less

This report provides a picture of adult and community education (ACE) provision of VET programs in V… Show more

This report provides a picture of adult and community education (ACE) provision of VET programs in Victoria, Queensland and Western Australia and in so doing provides a broadly based picture of the ACE sector as a whole. The report provides evidence of the capacity of the ACE sector to effectively address learner needs and to help learners link together learning. It also notes that while ACE provides considerable benefits to disadvantaged groups, many people with substantial prior educational background also choose to make use of ACE. Show less

This project indentifies the types of Adult and Community Education (ACE) programs, provision and ap… Show more

This project indentifies the types of Adult and Community Education (ACE) programs, provision and approaches that are most effective in meeting small business training needs in New South Wales. Show less

This detailed study of work experience and vocational placements examines how occupations are select… Show more

This detailed study of work experience and vocational placements examines how occupations are selected by students, what preparation is required, training arrangements, recording, assessment issues and associated policy implications. A must for workplace supervisors, placement co-ordinators, teachers and employers. Show less

This publication reports on a research project which set out to analyse recent research and policy d… Show more

This publication reports on a research project which set out to analyse recent research and policy documents on indigenous peoples' development needs and aspirations, and was aimed at assessing the extent to which current developments in vocational education and training research and policy were sufficiently informed by this separate but related body of literature. The report argues that current policy settings and research on the educational needs of indigenous Australians have been overly influenced by human capital theory and economic rationalist policy. Show less

Provides a summary of the major research conducted into the issue of the participation in VET progra… Show more

Provides a summary of the major research conducted into the issue of the participation in VET programs by those with a non-English-speaking background. It covers who they are, the policy agenda, their participation in programs, the outcomes achieved and factors influencing both participation and outcomes. Show less

This 'Research at a glance' explores small business and its attitude to training, its training needs… Show more

This 'Research at a glance' explores small business and its attitude to training, its training needs, how it becomes involved in training and how the training happens. It suggests that small business owners and operators prefer a learning style which is problem based, practical and integrated with their business. Show less