All publications

This report explores the ways in which Indigenous Australians are learning through enterprise and… Show more

This report explores the ways in which Indigenous Australians are learning through enterprise and small business development. It reveals that this learning will be more effective if it takes into account that Indigenous experience differs by location, with remote areas offering a significant challenge. Learning through Indigenous business is most effective where learning is tied to earning; the Show less

Seasonal work is crucial for the many rural regions reliant on seasonal industries such as… Show more

Seasonal work is crucial for the many rural regions reliant on seasonal industries such as agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and tourism. This report examines the diverse nature of the seasonal workforce in two locations and the approaches used in their training. The report finds that the seasonal workforce is diverse and has varied training needs. Like others marginally attached to the workforce Show less

The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme provides funds to help Indigenous… Show more

The Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) scheme provides funds to help Indigenous communities in rural and remote Australia provide employment, skills development, and various essential and desirable municipal services. However, there is room to improve the range and quality of employment and community development activities available. There is also room for increasing the number of Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) can assist rural communities develop the necessary skills… Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) can assist rural communities develop the necessary skills to survive and prosper in changing social and economic environments. This report investigates the implementation of training packages in five rural communities, and the strategies providers, community and industry stakeholders use to achieve positive outcomes. Providers in the rural communities Show less

There are differences between, and among, people in ethnic communities. This study seeks to provide … Show more

There are differences between, and among, people in ethnic communities. This study seeks to provide a more nuanced snapshot of vocational education and training (VET) participation and completion rates among Arabic, Bosnian, Cantonese, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese communities. It investigates the effectiveness of English as a second language programs as a pathway to training. Overall, the Show less

Remote Indigenous communities are under increasing pressure to share responsibility for community… Show more

Remote Indigenous communities are under increasing pressure to share responsibility for community well-being and capacity building. Their challenge is to achieve social and economic sustainability without losing core values of Indigenous law, culture and language. Education, training and employment are essential elements to this future scenario. This report is based on a study of a remote Show less

This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the… Show more

This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the needs of stakeholders in regional and local communities. In doing so it investigates who the stakeholders are, what they want from training and whether their needs are being met. Show less

This report summarises the findings of an exploratory study to measure the impact of adult and… Show more

This report summarises the findings of an exploratory study to measure the impact of adult and community education (ACE) on the Australian economy. It includes a profile of the sector, a description of the non-quantifiable benefits that ACE provides to its teachers and an approach to estimating the economic impact, based on the costs and benefits that can be measured. Show less

How lifelong learning and vocational training are currently being implemented in Australia and in… Show more

How lifelong learning and vocational training are currently being implemented in Australia and in Germany is explored by educational specialists from both countries in this edited anthology of conference papers. They compare the methods and effects in both countries. The papers also reflect the importance of lifelong learning in the work of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Show less

A discussion of the vocational education and training system in Sweden, which has developed from… Show more

A discussion of the vocational education and training system in Sweden, which has developed from being primarily industry-based in the 1960s to a structurally uniform system that is integrated with general education in the present day. Show less

This research investigates what knowledge, skills and attitudes independent contractors, working in … Show more

This research investigates what knowledge, skills and attitudes independent contractors, working in alliances with others, need to operate successfully in their working life. It also shows how the existing vocational and education training (VET) system meets these needs and what the implications are for VET for the future. Show less

Contributing authors from Australia, USA and Canada provide leading-edge information, analysis of… Show more

Contributing authors from Australia, USA and Canada provide leading-edge information, analysis of issues and hundreds of best practice examples of building strong communities through active and critical learning. The theme is that Australia should become a learning society in order to build capacity and manage regional change for social and economic benefit for all. Show less

This review of research examines how sets of key competencies/key skills/generic skills have… Show more

This review of research examines how sets of key competencies/key skills/generic skills have developed in Britain, United States and Australia. The review analyses the literature that relates to the following questions: *What are the generic skills? *What are the teaching and learning implications for VET providers? *What impact do generic skills have on business performance? Show less

This report is based on 14 case studies of schools in small rural communities in Victoria,… Show more

This report is based on 14 case studies of schools in small rural communities in Victoria, Queensland and South Australia which are committed to the development and implementation of VET programs that are specifically tailored to meet the needs of the students and the community. The schools which took part in the study were chosen for participation on the basis of consultation with a range of Show less

Goozee's popular title has been revised and updated again. It provides an historical account of the … Show more

Goozee's popular title has been revised and updated again. It provides an historical account of the development of Australia's public vocational education and training from its roots in the late 19th century to the end of the 1990s. This third edition has added a chapter on TAFE in the 1990s, covering such issues as the review of the ANTA Agreement, new apprenticeships, user choice, the National Show less

The education of the population and the skilling of the workforce are the factors which are going… Show more

The education of the population and the skilling of the workforce are the factors which are going to determine a nation's fortunes in the 21st century much more than they have in the 20th century. The skills base of a nation and the speed with which skilling can adjust to meet new requirements will be as important, if not more important in determining economic success than a nation's natural Show less

This issues paper is a summary of some of the important trends worldwide in the organisation of… Show more

This issues paper is a summary of some of the important trends worldwide in the organisation of work and how some international economic developments have affected the position of workers. The author examines some of the issues these trends raise for education and training and argues for government intervention in vocational education and training on economic and equity groups. Show less

This report has investigated the impact of the increased trend towards casualisation and… Show more

This report has investigated the impact of the increased trend towards casualisation and outsourcing of work on learning arrangements. It found that there has been an increase in highly task-specific or job-specific training. Moreover, labour hire companies tend to spend less on the training of their employees because they prefer to recruit people who already have the skills needed. This means Show less

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in VET is carefully examined in this title.… Show more

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in VET is carefully examined in this title. Chapters cover: pathways and articulation; indigenous programs in TAFE; staffing; resources and the learning environment; and VET and reconciliation. Show less