All publications

The use and value of qualifications has gained a significant amount of policy attention in recent… Show more

The use and value of qualifications has gained a significant amount of policy attention in recent years. This study examines the use of qualifications within the recruitment searching and decision-making processes undertaken by employers in the labour market. It uses data gained from a survey of 359 employers from across Australia. The results verify that employers place higher value on personal 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

This study investigates where certificate I and II qualifications lead young people aged 15-24… Show more

This study investigates where certificate I and II qualifications lead young people aged 15-24 years in terms of employment and further study. A prime motivation for young people undertaking these qualifications is to facilitate transition into the labour market. These qualifications are aimed at developing basic vocational skills or preparatory access skills. The findings indicate that Show less

How employers perceive, use and value vocational education and training qualifications is an… Show more

How employers perceive, use and value vocational education and training qualifications is an important, but also complex, issue. This report captures the views of a small number of employers within 14 different companies, over eight industries. The broad conclusion is that employers place high value on learning and capability and competence, irrespective of whether this leads to, or is reflected Show less

This report aims to provide a clearer understanding of how and why enterprises use nationally… Show more

This report aims to provide a clearer understanding of how and why enterprises use nationally recognised type of training. It finds that an enterprise's decision to engage in recognised training is not made lightly and decisions are made afresh each time a new training need arises. Successfully embedding training in enterprises involves a three-phase process - engagement, extension and integration Show less

This report is about employers and how they value and use qualifications in their business… Show more

This report is about employers and how they value and use qualifications in their business decisions. The research indicates clear differences in the value placed on and use made of qualifications by employers for different groups of workers and occupations. Qualifications are considered more important for higher-level occupations and employers use them predominantly to recruit new employees and Show less

Future workforce planning in private and public enterprise requires reliable information on which… Show more

Future workforce planning in private and public enterprise requires reliable information on which projections are made. Currently limited information exists about vocational education and training (VET) professionals. This report consolidates two national studies on the TAFE workforce, and on VET professionals in private and public registered training organisations. The findings have important Show less

The vocational education and training (VET) sector is an important source of qualifications for… Show more

The vocational education and training (VET) sector is an important source of qualifications for associate professionals; the second fastest growing occupational group in Australia's labour market. The report offers employers, industry organisations, and professional associations an insight into the benefits of contracted work-based training arrangements, like New Apprenticeships, for training 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

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

The implementation and management of recognition of prior learning (RPL) by registered training… Show more

The implementation and management of recognition of prior learning (RPL) by registered training organisations following the introduction of Australian Quality Training Framework standards are reviewed in this report. Proposals to support registered training organisations' compliance with RPL in the standards are also included. The report is based on work commissioned by the Australian National Show less

This paper was presented to the IIEP/UNESCO-KRIVET International Policy Seminar on 'Making Lifelong … Show more

This paper was presented to the IIEP/UNESCO-KRIVET International Policy Seminar on 'Making Lifelong Learning a Reality' in Seoul, Republic of Korea, in June 2003. Show less

This case study of the high-technology companies established by the Australian Photonics… Show more

This case study of the high-technology companies established by the Australian Photonics Co-operative Research Centre and the Centre for Molecular Engineering Technology provides supplementary information to the summary report 'Going boldly into the future: A journey into the national innovation system'. The author gives detailed profiles of 14 high technology Australian companies which are all Show less

What motivates school students to undertake school-based new apprenticeships and how satisfied are… Show more

What motivates school students to undertake school-based new apprenticeships and how satisfied are they with the outcomes? The students themselves answer these questions in this report on the findings of a survey of school-based new apprentices in three Australian states. Questions cover the students' appreciation of the quality of learning and training they received, the effectiveness of work Show less

This paper was presented to the KRIVET International conference on VET, in Seoul, Republic of… Show more

This paper was presented to the KRIVET International conference on VET, in Seoul, Republic of Korea, during October 2002. 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

This brief report describes new developments and initiatives in the UK on the issue of… Show more

This brief report describes new developments and initiatives in the UK on the issue of employability skills. The report focusses particularly on: *The Enterprising Skills Development Movement *A brief history of employer involvement and government partnership initiatives regarding employability *Future development of both key skills and enterprise skills in vocational education and training An Show less

The long-term benefits of a VET qualification are compared with the long-term employment outcomes… Show more

The long-term benefits of a VET qualification are compared with the long-term employment outcomes for university graduates and for individuals whose education ceased at Year 12. Also looked at are the long-term effects for VET graduates with disabilities and from non-English speaking backgrounds and what differences exist for males and females over time. Author Chris Ryan uses data from two major Show less

The financial benefits of gaining a VET qualification are calculated and assessed in this report.… Show more

The financial benefits of gaining a VET qualification are calculated and assessed in this report. Using data from a representative sample of Australian employees, author Chris Ryan compares the wages and after-tax returns for individuals with different qualifications and with different levels of experience and labour market participation. Show less

This report focusses on the implementation of vocational education and training (VET) in schools… Show more

This report focusses on the implementation of vocational education and training (VET) in schools over the period 1996-1999. The report is comprehensive and provides an overview of school-based VET, historic and international aspects of vocationalism in secondary schooling, policy influences on the implementation of VET in secondary schools in Australia, a statistical description of VET provision Show less