All publications

This at a glance looks at developments in employability skills since 2002. It finds that most… Show more

This at a glance looks at developments in employability skills since 2002. It finds that most research has focused around teaching, assessing and reporting on employability skills, where consistency remains a key challenge. There also continues to be a lack of understanding of employability skills among some teachers. Until these issues are addressed, the sector could fall short in providing Show less

Research messages 2010 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National… Show more

Research messages 2010 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning: VET system; and VET in context. Research messages 2010 also has an 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

These two-page research overviews summarise the 13 reports which make up the research project, 'A… Show more

These two-page research overviews summarise the 13 reports which make up the research project, 'A well-skilled future: Tailoring vocational education and training to the emerging labour market'. The project has been undertaken by a consortium of researchers from the National Institute of Labour Studies at Flinders University and the Centre for Post-compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning at Show less

Over the past decade, the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector has focused on… Show more

Over the past decade, the Australian vocational education and training (VET) sector has focused on the outcomes of training in terms of qualifications and competencies. Up until this time there had been little information available on the value that employers place on qualifications and how they use them to contribute to the success of their business. This 'at a glance' synthesises recent research 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

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

Innovation in business, particularly across the major industries on which Australia's economy… Show more

Innovation in business, particularly across the major industries on which Australia's economy rests, requires a skilled workforce. This book of research readings explores the role Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector can fulfill to assist business innovation. In doing so, various chapters consider the implications of innovation for Australian workers and identify the VET Show less

Possessing generic or employability skills is vital in the current labour market. The vocational… Show more

Possessing generic or employability skills is vital in the current labour market. The vocational education and training (VET) sector, like other education sectors, must ensure its clients gain and develop generic skills. This volume of readings summarises NCVER managed research into generic skills undertaken in 2001 and 2002. The work covers four main topics: defining and specifying generic skills Show less

Generic skills are gaining importance internationally and in Australia. This 'At a glance' explains … Show more

Generic skills are gaining importance internationally and in Australia. This 'At a glance' explains why there is such an interest in generic skills, and describes how they have been defined and addressed in educational programs in Australia. It also compares the different definitions and interpretations of generic skills in various overseas countries. A complementary publication 'Fostering Show less

Generic skills are gaining importance internationally and in Australia. This 'At a glance' explains … Show more

Generic skills are gaining importance internationally and in Australia. This 'At a glance' explains how generic skills can be fostered in vocational education and training (VET) programs and workplaces. It also focuses on research into describing, teaching, learning, assessing, recognising, and certifying these important skills, and includes the views of a variety of groups. A complementary Show less

Recent research into workplace learning in Australia is reviewed and important findings are… Show more

Recent research into workplace learning in Australia is reviewed and important findings are synthesised in this publication. It finds that six elements are required to be in place for effective workplace learning and proposes that the 'ideal' workplace learning situation fosters innovation, and involves a systematic approach. Additionally, the 'At a glance' emphasises that the networks and Show less

Effective communication of information is critical to the uptake of statistical analysis and… Show more

Effective communication of information is critical to the uptake of statistical analysis and research. This At a glance publication looks at how NCVER is communicating information to the vocational education and training sector. 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 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

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 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

Globalisation is impacting on most spheres of human endeavour - the economy, the society, politics… Show more

Globalisation is impacting on most spheres of human endeavour - the economy, the society, politics and education. This publication addresses a world-wide view of globalisation and its potential impact on most areas of technical and vocational education and training. It is particularly relevant to policy-makers, planners, curriculum developers and industry partners in both formal and non-formal Show less

Examines recent Australian research on entry-level training. The report reviews what has been… Show more

Examines recent Australian research on entry-level training. The report reviews what has been learnt from the research, identifies research gaps and shortcomings and offers directions for future research. Show less