All publications

This report explores the relationship between vocational education and training in (VET) in Schools … Show more

This report explores the relationship between vocational education and training in (VET) in Schools and the labour market.  Show less

This report comes out of a three-year program of research that aims to investigate how best the… Show more

This report comes out of a three-year program of research that aims to investigate how best the tertiary education and training system might be organised to maintain the employability of Australian workers across their working lives. Show less

This report aims to throw some light on the role that skills sets play in meeting the needs of… Show more

This report aims to throw some light on the role that skills sets play in meeting the needs of clients compared with full qualifications, which are seen as the foundation of the vocational education and training (VET) system. Show less

This report explores the movements that workers make in the workforce and whether there are any… Show more

This report explores the movements that workers make in the workforce and whether there are any commonalities. Show less

Increasing education and training is considered one means by which to reduce the extent of social… Show more

Increasing education and training is considered one means by which to reduce the extent of social exclusion and as such has been a key focus in recent public policies. This study investigates the impact of education and training on the extent of social exclusion using a measure of multidimensional social exclusion. A simulation of the effect of the COAG target relating to halving the proportion Show less

This working paper is an initial examination of what is known about pathways in tertiary education, … Show more

This working paper is an initial examination of what is known about pathways in tertiary education, as well as the loose associations between vocational qualifications and the jobs graduates do. The author is also interested in the link between educational qualifications and work and finds that these are not as strong as might be expected in a vocationally oriented tertiary education system like Show less

This discussion paper introduces the overarching concepts for the three-year research program,… Show more

This discussion paper introduces the overarching concepts for the three-year research program, 'Vocations: the link between post compulsory education and the labour market'. The paper also outlines the key findings from the initial investigations of each of the related research strands in the program. Overall, initial research has found that, due to the fragmentation of pathways within education Show less

As part of the three-year research program, 'Vocations: the link between post compulsory education… Show more

As part of the three-year research program, 'Vocations: the link between post compulsory education and the labour market', this working paper sets the policy context and direction of the entry to vocations research stream. After looking at the current ‘in-school’ element of VET in Schools programs and jurisdictional differences, the paper raises a set of questions for discussion. For example, Show less

This report explores the transitions students make in undertaking a second qualification (i.e.… Show more

This report explores the transitions students make in undertaking a second qualification (i.e. whether they change field of education and/or move between the VET and higher education sectors). Show less

The distinction between VET and higher education in Australia is blurring. The purpose of… Show more

The distinction between VET and higher education in Australia is blurring. The purpose of this paper is to examine – through the conduct of a case study of engineering qualifications (AQF6) delivered in Victoria – how education and training providers and students are likely to respond to different fees and funding arrangements under the student entitlement model. Show less

To provide insights into how young people may fare in the current economic downturn, this study… Show more

To provide insights into how young people may fare in the current economic downturn, this study examines the experience of youth in a previous downturn. Show less

This paper provides a conceptual basis for a three-year (2011–13) research program exploring the… Show more

This paper provides a conceptual basis for a three-year (2011–13) research program exploring the capacity of individuals and groups to make transitions through learning, training and work across locations.  Three research projects will examine how regional or community factors and social capital affect those transitions. The three projects are: the influence of job conditions on geographic Show less

The paper outlines the difference between the skill sets developed by national VET industry bodies… Show more

The paper outlines the difference between the skill sets developed by national VET industry bodies in training packages and those developed by registered training organisations, as well as the rationale for skill sets, the specific benefits and issues anticipated and the latest policy recommendations. Show less

As part of a three-year program of research, the authors are investigating how the training system… Show more

As part of a three-year program of research, the authors are investigating how the training system might be more effective in providing continuing education and training across workers' lives, since the tertiary education and training sector is currently geared to entry-level training; that is, getting young people ready to enter the labour market. This working paper sets the scene for the next Show less

Mental illness can be particularly disruptive to education and training outcomes. This report… Show more

Mental illness can be particularly disruptive to education and training outcomes. This report explores the factors that contribute to successful course completion for students with a mental illness, with a particular focus on the role of disclosure.  Show less

This paper aims to 'lift the lid' on completion rates, explaining how they are defined and how they … Show more

This paper aims to 'lift the lid' on completion rates, explaining how they are defined and how they are calculated.  Show less

This paper investigates the role of lead vocational teachers in TAFE Queensland and their personal… Show more

This paper investigates the role of lead vocational teachers in TAFE Queensland and their personal and career development needs. Focus group discussions with these teachers ascertained that they wanted to feel valued by their institutes and have more opportunities to contribute to business development. It was revealed that their values did not match those of the institutes and this led to a Show less

Encouraging older workers to stay in the workforce has become a policy priority. At the same time,… Show more

Encouraging older workers to stay in the workforce has become a policy priority. At the same time, the life expectancy of Australians has increased dramatically over the past several decades, effectively inserting a new stage in the life course, often called the 'third age'. This report explores the possibility of using that third age to embark on an encore career, a concept originating in the Show less

This research suggests that while mixed-sector and dual-sector providers are still only small in… Show more

This research suggests that while mixed-sector and dual-sector providers are still only small in number, they likely to become more important but they face specific challenges in the quality of their provision.  Show less

Using interviews with adult migrants over a period of two years, the authors look at how… Show more

Using interviews with adult migrants over a period of two years, the authors look at how undertaking an English as a second language (ESL) class helps to facilitate integration into Australian society. Show less