This study investigates the differences in terms of outcomes between those who completed courses at diploma level and those who chose to complete only portions of these courses. It draws on the 1999 Student Outcome Survey and compares data on graduates and module completers who either completed or undertook modules within associate diploma, diploma or advanced diploma courses. The report analyses the data on graduates and module completers by age, prior highest qualification employment, industry of employment, field of study, reasons for undertaking study, why module completers did not complete their course, student satisfaction with the course, employment outcomes and income.
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.