All publications

This study explores the common features of high-quality  traineeships using case studies from the… Show more

This study explores the common features of high-quality  traineeships using case studies from the cleaning, child care, construction, retail, finance and insurance, and meat processing areas. Show less

This paper was presented by Robin Shreeve at the NCVER Research on Toast seminar in March 2009. It… Show more

This paper was presented by Robin Shreeve at the NCVER Research on Toast seminar in March 2009. It briefly compares the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia with its equivalent in England, which is known as the skills or further education sector. The paper then outlines two key aspects of the English VET sector which might be of use to Australia: using course completion Show less

This issues paper reports on the findings from the first year of a three-year program of research… Show more

This issues paper reports on the findings from the first year of a three-year program of research by the University of Sydney's Workplace Research Centre. The overarching aim of the research is to investigate how, if at all, vocational education and training can make a difference in improving productivity and workforce participation. The authors describe four domains of social and economic Show less

A history of performance measurement for the vocational education and training (VET) sector,… Show more

A history of performance measurement for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, beginning with the creation of the Australian National Training Authority in 1992 and ending with what we know of the current reforms. As well as discussing the various measures, the paper looks at the challenges that are brought up by indicators and makes some suggestions for indicators for the VET system Show less

On the whole, educational achievements and outcomes from vocational education and training (VET)… Show more

On the whole, educational achievements and outcomes from vocational education and training (VET) are relatively poor for students reporting a disability. This paper sought to isolate the direct effect of being a member of a particular disability group. It found that the direct effect of the disability differs between groups, and is highest for those with a mental illness, a medical condition or a 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

Course completion and student satisfaction is likely to be influenced by how realistic the… Show more

Course completion and student satisfaction is likely to be influenced by how realistic the expectations of students are when they enrol. This report explores the idea that students' expectations would be more realistic if students have well developed career management competencies. Show less

This study examines the nature of the impact of vocational education and training (VET), and its… Show more

This study examines the nature of the impact of vocational education and training (VET), and its project-based activities and partnerships, on the development of sustainable communities in regional Australia. It finds that VET plays a critical role as the entry point to learning and builds considerable social and other forms of capital in regional communities. The study points to new Show less

This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003… Show more

This report presents a profile of technical and further education (TAFE) institutes for the 2003 calendar year. The project was undertaken to illustrate the extent of variation in the sector. The report also provides data on TAFE institutes that can be used by the institutes for planning, performance monitoring and marketing purposes. Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) policy is increasingly focused on the importance of quality … Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) policy is increasingly focused on the importance of quality in each VET institution's capacity to deliver effective programs. This report addresses institutional-level monitoring and evaluation of performance and provides a comprehensive model which institutes can use for this purpose. The model draws on background theory and practice and identifies a range Show less

This report identifies student characteristics - demographic and life-stage factors - which… Show more

This report identifies student characteristics - demographic and life-stage factors - which influence successful completion of vocational education and training (VET) subjects. It finds the likelihood of passing is significantly reduced for people who are Indigenous, have a disability, are of non-English speaking background, are unemployed or are aged 19 years or less. The research is based on Show less

This report provides a statistical overview of Indigenous peoples' participation and outcomes in… Show more

This report provides a statistical overview of Indigenous peoples' participation and outcomes in vocational education and training (VET) over the period of implementation of the Australian National Training Authority's 'Partners in a learning culture' strategy. It was developed as an outcome of the mid-term review of this strategy. The data analysis provides base benchmarks against which trends Show less

This report provides a description of the full range of adult and community education (ACE)… Show more

This report provides a description of the full range of adult and community education (ACE) services and clients; an analysis of ACE outcomes and contributions to lifelong learning for its range of clients; and a discussion of issues that might be considered relating to valid and reliable national data collection and reporting for ACE. Representatives of 40 ACE providers across Australia were Show less

This report examines issues the performance indicators used to compare Australia's vocational… Show more

This report examines issues the performance indicators used to compare Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system against other countries. Specifically, it presents an outline of the main indicators currently used and examines some of the problems associated with their application. A framework for developing a set of indicators to assist the understanding of the effectiveness of Show less

During the past decade both Australia and China have implemented reforms to their educational… Show more

During the past decade both Australia and China have implemented reforms to their educational systems to develop labour force skills for the new globalised markets. This report describes the major features of the vocational education and training sectors in China and Australia, and their strategies and reforms, with emphasis on links between secondary and post-secondary vocational education and Show less

'Training indicators' - current and future indicators of VET demand and supply that guide… Show more

'Training indicators' - current and future indicators of VET demand and supply that guide investment decisions in skill training - are increasingly important in the national, State and regional VET planning cycles. This report makes recommendations for good practice in the use of training indicators and for improvements in their range and their dissemination. Show less

This report uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics Business Longitudinal Survey to explore… Show more

This report uses the Australian Bureau of Statistics Business Longitudinal Survey to explore relationships between training, innovation and firm performance of Australian businesses with less than 200 employees. Show less

This report relating to the participation of women in the vocational education and training (VET)… Show more

This report relating to the participation of women in the vocational education and training (VET) sector during 1999 was commissioned by the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs, Vocational Education, Employment and Training (MCEETYA VEET) Women's Taskforce. Production of the report was funded by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA. The purpose of Show less

Is spending on training personnel worthwhile? Many of the firms in the research reported here… Show more

Is spending on training personnel worthwhile? Many of the firms in the research reported here believed so; and what is more, results in manufacturing (footwear, wire products) suggest that it delivered sizeable returns in labour productivity. Importantly, findings support the view that firms should be undertaking long-term strategic planning, not just targeting day-to-day problems. The research Show less

This report describes the range of outcome measures used in the VET systems and reviews a range of… Show more

This report describes the range of outcome measures used in the VET systems and reviews a range of literature concerning these measures. The report identifies various perspectives on outcome measures - those of governments, of employers, of students and the broader community and how these perspectives influence the type of measures in use. The report covers research related to student outcomes, Show less