All publications

The report explores the development processes associated with VET qualifications in selected… Show more

The report explores the development processes associated with VET qualifications in selected countries and compares them with the current process in Australia, with the aim of identifying any areas where efficiencies can be made. Show less

This research summary brings together findings using primarily international country comparisons on … Show more

This research summary brings together findings using primarily international country comparisons on industry's role in VET over the last decade. Show less

This research overview summarises three reports by Kaye Bowman and Suzy McKenna, which examine the… Show more

This research overview summarises three reports by Kaye Bowman and Suzy McKenna, which examine the commonalities and differences in Australia's jurisdictional approaches to student training entitlement, offer expert views on the training system, and reflect on the history of VET in Australia. Show less

Innovation is seen as a way of increasing productivity in firms and also increasing prosperity for… Show more

Innovation is seen as a way of increasing productivity in firms and also increasing prosperity for the nation. This examines what is meant by innovation, the relationship between innovation and productivity, and the types of skills that are relevant to innovation. It also discusses the implications of innovation for the training system, government and enterprises. 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

This paper was a before-dinner address to the Management Team Retreat of NCVER in October 2007. It… Show more

This paper was a before-dinner address to the Management Team Retreat of NCVER in October 2007. It looks at how education and training has changed over the last 15 years, and discusses topics such as sustainable development, leadership and management, and literacy and numeracy. Show less

This book of research readings provides clear evidence that adult prisoners and offenders who… Show more

This book of research readings provides clear evidence that adult prisoners and offenders who participate in vocational education and training (VET) during their sentence are less likely to re-offend. A reduction in recidivism represents significant cost savings to the community. This books highlights recent improvements in the delivery of VET for adult prisoners and offenders in Australia. Show less

The domestic demand for tertiary education (that is, excluding overseas students) is looked at in… Show more

The domestic demand for tertiary education (that is, excluding overseas students) is looked at in this paper. It argues that the concept is problematic because of the dominant role of the government in provision, and discusses the factors that impinge on it: fees, returns to study and demographics. It shows how student demand has been changing and looks at likely trends in coming years. Show less

Recognition of prior learning is a process whereby people have the skills and knowledge they have… Show more

Recognition of prior learning is a process whereby people have the skills and knowledge they have developed outside the formal education system assessed and valued against qualifications frameworks. This publication gives an overview of recent research into recognition of prior learning within the Australian vocational education and training system. Show less

Two well-established findings about employer-provided training form the backdrop to this research.… Show more

Two well-established findings about employer-provided training form the backdrop to this research. First, the provision of training and its associated expenditure are highly variable across employers, notably by industry and employment size. Second, employer engagement with the formal system of VET is substantial, and growing, but a number of employers are not entirely satisfied with the system. 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

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 publication provides a summary of recent research into issues affecting the demand of skills… Show more

This publication provides a summary of recent research into issues affecting the demand of skills in Australia and the implications of current trends in training and education on future skill supply. It also summarises the impact of Australia's ageing population on future levels of participation and presents a synopsis of Australia's position internationally. Finally, implications for the future Show less

This study evaluates the effectiveness of online delivery of education and training in Australia.… Show more

This study evaluates the effectiveness of online delivery of education and training in Australia. It reviews appropriate literature and research in order to identify, answer and address a range of controversial issues that inform the design and delivery of VET online. 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 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 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

This synthesis of the 11 reviews of research brings together recent Australian research literature… Show more

This synthesis of the 11 reviews of research brings together recent Australian research literature covering a range of key VET issues. Authors are drawn from a cross-section of Australia's foremost VET researchers. Topics include: aspects of enterprise learning in the workplace, returns to enterprises from investment in training, vocational education and small business, training markets, Show less

This review of vocational education in schools notes the challenge that the introduction of… Show more

This review of vocational education in schools notes the challenge that the introduction of vocational education presents to a school system which has, until now, largely confined itself to delivering general academic subjects. Show less

The review of recent Australian literature makes it apparent that more research will be needed in… Show more

The review of recent Australian literature makes it apparent that more research will be needed in order to obtain a more comprehensive and coherent picture of the factors which influence the training market. Show less