All publications

Recent trends in the provision of vocational education and training (VET) diplomas and advanced… Show more

Recent trends in the provision of vocational education and training (VET) diplomas and advanced diplomas are outlined in this paper. The paper also looks at how people with diplomas and advanced diplomas are faring in the labour market. The picture is rather mixed, suggesting that those with diplomas and advanced diplomas fare, on average, better than those with other VET qualifications or no post Show less

This technical paper provides information on changes to the method of calculating government… Show more

This technical paper provides information on changes to the method of calculating government recurrent expenditure used for national efficiency Key Performance Measure 6. Show less

This study examined the implementation of an intensive reading pedagogy, Reading-to-Learn, in adult … Show more

This study examined the implementation of an intensive reading pedagogy, Reading-to-Learn, in adult literacy classrooms. In this method, the teacher plays a crucial role in carefully selecting relevant topics, genres and texts that are slightly beyond the current reading ability of students, and in designing 'scaffolding moves' that build very deliberate preparation into every level of classroom Show less

School-based apprentices and trainees have recently been given more prominence as an element of… Show more

School-based apprentices and trainees have recently been given more prominence as an element of vocational education and training in school, partly as a response to skill shortages in a wide range of areas. The purpose of this paper is to provide data on school-based apprentices and trainees to enable a judgement to be made about how this policy push is unfolding. The number of school-based Show less

This research examines how vocational education and training (VET) providers can create an… Show more

This research examines how vocational education and training (VET) providers can create an environment where learning becomes a central, natural, ongoing and integral part of the way they work. It does this by exploring what research says are the key features needed to foster effective learning in the workplace. It then uses this research to develop and trial an instrument which larger providers Show less

Building organisational capability relies on effective workforce development. This study examines… Show more

Building organisational capability relies on effective workforce development. This study examines the processes that registered training organisations (RTO) use to make workforce development decisions. It also looked at how well these align to the personal decisions RTO staff make about their own development. The research found that workforce development needs to be comprehensive, well integrated Show less

This report examines the ways in which Australian employers retain skilled staff and the ways in… Show more

This report examines the ways in which Australian employers retain skilled staff and the ways in which employers enhance their ability to use the skills of their people. The study found that while strategies such as increasing wages and family friendly policies may increase an employee's job satisfaction, the key driver in employee retention is if they feel they are learning and progressing in Show less

This literature review, undertaken for Australian Industry Group, shows how multiple variations and … Show more

This literature review, undertaken for Australian Industry Group, shows how multiple variations and combinations of formal, informal and non-formal learning, accompanied by various government incentives and organisational initiatives (including job redesign, cross-skilling, multi-skilling, diversified career pathways, action learning projects, quality assurance arrangements, job rotations and Show less

This national study confirms the value of cross-cultural training in developing the cultural… Show more

This national study confirms the value of cross-cultural training in developing the cultural competence needed by employees to work effectively with culturally diverse co-workers and customers. The 134 graduates surveyed rated their cross-cultural training highly, reporting improved workplace performance and cultural self-awareness, with most indicating they would like further cross-cultural Show less

Design is an increasingly important component of our world-at-work. This project reveals the views… Show more

Design is an increasingly important component of our world-at-work. This project reveals the views of design educators working within vocational education and training (VET). Research participants called for a review of design education teaching methods in the VET context, with a particular focus on promoting innovation and creativity in diploma level programs. Show less

Ways of assessing and acknowledging the range of outcomes in non-accredited community adult… Show more

Ways of assessing and acknowledging the range of outcomes in non-accredited community adult language, literacy and numeracy programs are explored in this study. The instruments it tested take account of the diversity of learner needs and motivations. The study highlights that these assessment methods can bring benefits both to the learner and the tutor, especially when they are completed jointly Show less

Mp3 of interview conducted by Steve Davis with Roger Harris and Berwyn Clayton about their report… Show more

Mp3 of interview conducted by Steve Davis with Roger Harris and Berwyn Clayton about their report 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future'. Show less

The two-year consortium program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in… Show more

The two-year consortium program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future' focused on approaches to help VET providers build their capability. These eight papers include a program overview, key contextual issues of concern to VET stakeholders, as well as the overall findings and key messages of each specific research activity. An MP3 audio Show less

This research investigates cooperation amongst Australian firms with regard to training. It… Show more

This research investigates cooperation amongst Australian firms with regard to training. It identifies the characteristics of firms that cooperate, the business practices that support such cooperation, the type of training delivered jointly and the benefits that arise. Show less

This report summarises the costs and benefits of studying for a VET qualification. It finds that… Show more

This report summarises the costs and benefits of studying for a VET qualification. It finds that generally students have an adequate economic incentive to enrol in VET. The best returns were for students who study higher-level qualifications (certificate III upwards), and do so part-time. Show less

Drawing on interviews with students in regional and rural areas of the Northern Territory, this… Show more

Drawing on interviews with students in regional and rural areas of the Northern Territory, this paper looks at their participation in education and training. The paper suggests that learning strategies which acknowledge rural learners' identities may be successful in engaging regional and remote learners in education and training. Show less

This paper presents some thoughts on the concept of the Tasmanian Polytechnic, drawing on a range… Show more

This paper presents some thoughts on the concept of the Tasmanian Polytechnic, drawing on a range of research mostly undertaken by NCVER. It considers a number of 'goals' that are relevant to judging the success of the endeavour, including Year 12 retention and the completion of Australian Qualifications Framework qualifications, before making a number of observations on relevant issues. Show less

This study examines partnerships between formal and informal training providers in northern… Show more

This study examines partnerships between formal and informal training providers in northern Australia. The research finds that effective partnerships have a common purpose and provide training that supports community need. Effective partnerships also support stakeholders' goals and aims, build relationships and trust between partners, and recognise the importance of delivering a mix of formal and Show less

There have been major advances in online learning in recent years. However, the use of some… Show more

There have been major advances in online learning in recent years. However, the use of some technologies - such as web conferencing - have not been fully explored in the vocational education and training (VET) sector. This paper reports on a trial of web conferencing that was conducted by the Southern Queensland Institute of TAFE. There was a high level of participation and interaction by both Show less

In the context of an ageing population, the opportunity for people aged 45 years and older to… Show more

In the context of an ageing population, the opportunity for people aged 45 years and older to update their work-related skills and knowledge is potentially important in enabling some of these workers to remain in, or return to, employment. This study considers the diverse nature of older workers in the labour force and their learning preferences. It suggests that some changes to skill development Show less