VET outcomes may be improved if training providers take a more regional approach to course offerings and institutional learning support.
This report investigates students' learning experience at a TAFE institute and determines the factors that influence students to continue or discontinue their studies. Students who reported satisfaction with their learning experience highlighted relationships with teaching staff and respect for their expertise and organisation as significant factors in their experience. While students who were dissatisfied with their experience were in the minority, they were considerably more likely to leave their course before completion. Indicators of unsatisfactory experiences included poor relationships with instructors, a sense of 'struggling' with course content and difficulties accessing administrative or support services. The study recommends ongoing diagnostic assessment within courses, and closer screening of students at enrolment to determine their learning needs and strategies to meet these needs.
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.
This report examines issues the performance indicators used to compare Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system against other countries. Specifically, it presents an outline of the main indicators currently used and examines some of the problems associated with their application. A framework for developing a set of indicators to assist the understanding of the effectiveness of Australia's VET system using international comparisons is also included.
The past decade has seen an increasing volume and range of research on adult and community education (ACE) in Australia, sponsored by multiple sources, and targetted to multiple audiences for professional, philosophical, financial and political purposes. This report provides a consolidation of this large body of qualitative and quantitative research on the scope of ACE participation patterns, on outcomes and contributions of ACE and opportunities and challenges facing ACE throughout the decade. It identifies the key strands of research effort as well as the research gaps, and offers suggestions for future research directions.