All publications

This paper captures the views arising from a symposium held on 9 August 2016, at which participants … Show more

This paper captures the views arising from a symposium held on 9 August 2016, at which participants considered training product reform from the perspective of industry, educators, students and regulators. Show less

Assessing the impact of research in the social sciences is important in demonstrating that the… Show more

Assessing the impact of research in the social sciences is important in demonstrating that the research is useful and has been used. This good practice guide firstly provides indicators of how to best assess impact across four domains - producing knowledge, building the capacity of researchers and end users, influencing policy, and influencing practice. The guide secondly discusses ways to Show less

Ensuring all Australians have equal access to education has been a key driver of state and federal… Show more

Ensuring all Australians have equal access to education has been a key driver of state and federal governments since the late 1980s. 'Lifting' skills of individuals through education, training and employment is an integral focus of public policies to redress disadvantage and improve social inclusion. Using Australian and international research, this At a glance explores how vocational education Show less

The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has traditionally been characterised by… Show more

The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has traditionally been characterised by low skill/low pay jobs and high staff turnover. Some employers, however, have attempted to combat high turnover through careful recruitment and skill development. This research overview describes the approaches of innovative employers who have excelled in the delivery of early childhood education Show less

TAFE institutes offering higher education degrees is a relatively new concept, but the practice is… Show more

TAFE institutes offering higher education degrees is a relatively new concept, but the practice is expected to grow as a consequence of government policies aimed at increasing the percentage of Australians holding a bachelor degree. Five research overviews have been developed to accompany the research report on this issue. These overviews draw out the implications of the research for TAFE Show less

This publication reports on the participant feedback provided at the recent NCVER Research Forums,… Show more

This publication reports on the participant feedback provided at the recent NCVER Research Forums, which showcased the findings of the Consortium Research Program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future'. Show less

This publication explores adult literacy and numeracy. It draws on major insights from a wide body… Show more

This publication explores adult literacy and numeracy. It draws on major insights from a wide body of recent research commissioned by NCVER and funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training. It shows that literacy and numeracy practices change over time, and that the literacy challenge is not confined to those people traditionally considered to be poorly educated or unsuccessful. It Show less

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy… Show more

This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2003. Show less

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector over the past few years have… Show more

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector over the past few years have brought about significant changes to the work of VET staff and the focus of their roles. This publication summarises recent research into the changing roles of VET leaders, managers, teaching and support staff, and the way they work. The role of senior managers is increasingly focused on the Show less

There is growing international and national interest in the concept of social capital, its role,… Show more

There is growing international and national interest in the concept of social capital, its role, and the ways economic and social policies coalesce to drive economic progress and community well-being. This paper identifies eight areas the VET system can contribute to social capital: building social capital in firms; building networks of businesses, especially the small business sector; developing Show less

This book of readings summarises and reflects on research about online delivery conducted under the … Show more

This book of readings summarises and reflects on research about online delivery conducted under the auspices of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, and from other sources. Individual chapters address a range of issues related to flexible approaches to delivery in a number of contexts, including teaching practice and learners' views, operational issues, and online learning in companies and Show less

A comparison of nine vocational education and training (VET) systems from countries across Europe,… Show more

A comparison of nine vocational education and training (VET) systems from countries across Europe, East Asia, and North and South America. This study examines the variables that best define and influence the character, behaviour and apparent success of VET systems and the impact of change on these variables. Show less

This review of research summarises the recent Australian VET research that relates to literacy and… Show more

This review of research summarises the recent Australian VET research that relates to literacy and numeracy issues since 1990. The review concentrates on literacy and numeracy policy initiatives, impact of literacy/numeracy levels on participation in VET, approaches to delivery of literacy and numeracy support, professional development and teacher education. Show less

The past decade has seen an increasing volume and range of research on adult and community… Show more

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 Show less

This publication reviews research relating to demand for VET. Demand is expected to increase for… Show more

This publication reviews research relating to demand for VET. Demand is expected to increase for 'knowledge work', 'soft' and literacy and numeracy skills. Current policy's focus on the needs of industry and enterprises needs to be re-evaluated in the broader context of the demands of other stakeholders who have longer term interests. Show less

The report outlines the major research into literacy and numeracy as related to VET carried out… Show more

The report outlines the major research into literacy and numeracy as related to VET carried out during the 1990s. To do this, it brings together work relevant to the development of notions of literacy and numeracy generally, but focussing on the adult context. It deals with the complexities of the relationships between VET and workplaces and schools as well as the language, literacy, numeracy Show less

This report is a review of the literature, available research and current Australian practice on… Show more

This report is a review of the literature, available research and current Australian practice on work placements. Its purpose is to draw together findings on work placements from three educational sectors in order to inform policy and practice in the VET sector. Show less

This research at a glance provides a summary of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken… Show more

This research at a glance provides a summary of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken into Australia's apprenticeship system, which is published by NCVER in the two volumes - Australian apprenticeships: Facts, fiction and future and Australian apprenticeships: Research readings. Show less

This publication summarises the outcomes of 11 research projects funded by the National Research… Show more

This publication summarises the outcomes of 11 research projects funded by the National Research and Evaluation Committee. It also contains an introductory chapter by Nigel Smart and an invited chapter from Kaye Schofield. Summaries of each of the 11 research projects are also available in the companion volume - Australian Apprenticeships: Research at a glance. Show less

This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of… Show more

This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of competency-based training (CBT) on the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system. CBT was introduced in the late 1980s as part of wider economic policy measures to improve the skill levels of the Australian workforce, enable Australian industry to be more competitive in global markets Show less