Interviews with teachers, students and employers found that social media can help to improve student engagement and lead to more course completions; however, there were some concerns around its use.
This study provides a comprehensive picture of the way in which employers navigate the Australian training system and establish partnerships with registered training organisations. It provides insight into how practices have evolved over the last 20 years.
Training is important but it is just one component in any package designed to reduce the impacts of industry restructuring on individuals.
What are the major drivers and key challenges facing VET providers that transition to offering higher education qualifications? A valuable resource for VET providers considering higher education delivery.
This literature review compares vocational education and training (VET) and higher education providers delivering diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and bachelor degrees, as well as noting the changing nature of VET and higher education.
This interview was conducted by Steve Davis with Victor Callan, about his report 'Accelerated apprenticeships', which looked at recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in Queensland.
This research examined recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in Queensland. Interviews with apprentices, employers and teachers showed that the traditional model is still well regarded. It is not failing, but does require evolutionary change.
This study examines the existing and potential strategies for sustaining and building greater levels of management and leadership capability in training organisations. The research report is one of the products of a nationally based research consortium: Supporting vocational education and training (VET) providers in building capability for the future.
Skill shortages in the Australian printing industry are examined in this report. The nature of shortages is considered, as well as responses aimed at resolving shortages. First, at the industry level, strategic responses such as investment in technology and diversification are proposed. Responses at the workplace level focus on attracting employees and improving the capabilities of the existing workforce. Finally, training solutions are proposed. These include a focus on new training models involving cooperation between industry and training providers. In summary, this study reveals the complexity of issues that shape skill shortages and the need for any industry to seek a coordinated response that draws upon the efforts of employers as well as training providers.
This report examines links between prisoners' participation in the vocational education and training (VET) programs available within the Queensland prison system and their chances of returning to prison. The findings reveal that being involved in VET before initial release decreases the chances of returning to prison from 32% to 23%. Nevertheless, particular attention needs to be given to designing a comprehensive range of programs targeted at meeting the needs of individual prisoner groups, particularly for Indigenous prisoners. The research supports efforts to promote the value of VET and its role in prisoner rehabilitation, and to reduce barriers to accessing VET in correctional centres.
This report investigates the characteristics and motivations of students who do not complete the training course they enrol in. It finds that non-completion is associated with poor educational background and unemployment and also finds that the numbers of students who leave vocational education and training without any achievements are over estimated, and improvements to data systems are needed.
Highly innovative organisations demonstrate six key characteristics. They create learning cultures which promote innovation as a core organisational capability; employ leaders who are 'failure-tolerant'; identify innovators; reward people who propose innovative ideas; use partnerships; and, promote innovation through teams. This report analyses how well vocational education and training (VET) providers employ the above characteristics. It finds VET organisations are making good progress as innovators, but this progress is uneven as three characteristics often dominate the building of innovation. Typically, VET providers identify innovators, develop partnerships and promote innovation through teams and communities of practice well. To develop innovation further, the author suggests VET organisations need to broaden the range of strategies they are using to promote innovation and offers practical steps to do so.
The number and variety of industry-provider training partnerships in the vocational education and training (VET) sector is growing considerably. This report investigates the nature of the larger VET industry training partnerships and provides practical guidelines for training providers when setting up and managing these specific partnerships. These guidelines include: recognising the competitive realities industries face and developing customised and flexible training to meet businesses' needs; accepting 'break even' outcomes may be the best initial result a training provider can expect from a partnership; finding and developing staff who are responsible for the start-up phase of the partnership; evaluating and seeking feedback on the partnership; and, building training staff capabilities.
This report discusses the extent to which generic skills are valued by students and vocational education and training (VET) teachers and why. It also considers how generic skills are taught and strategies for further encouraging the acquisition of these skills in VET courses.
This project developed and tested a management and leadership capability framework for vocational education and training (VET) directors and senior managers. Nine capabilities emerged as required of VET leaders and managers: provides corporate vision and direction; focuses strategically; achieves outcomes; develops and manages resources; change leadership; interpersonal relationships; personal development and mastery; business and entrepreneurial skills; and develops and empowers people.