All publications

This study examines where and how NCVER's research has influenced vocational education and training … Show more

This study examines where and how NCVER's research has influenced vocational education and training (VET) policy and practice. 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

This at a glance considers the learning that goes on daily in a variety of everyday contexts: from… Show more

This at a glance considers the learning that goes on daily in a variety of everyday contexts: from the workplace to the home, and through technology and the mass media. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, informal learning is by far the most prevalent form of adult learning. This type of learning offers benefits to all age groups and people, including older workers, migrant groups Show less

This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning … Show more

This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia. Show less

This report describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead … Show more

This report describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead to successful employment outcomes for their Indigenous clients. Show less

An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in… Show more

An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in this publication, which was based on discussions with practitioners and vocational education and training (VET) managers responsible for teaching and learning. It examines why and how people are changing their pedagogy, and with what results. It found that improvements in teaching and learning Show less

This paper was presented at the Skills Australia, Academy of Social Sciences seminar in Sydney in… Show more

This paper was presented at the Skills Australia, Academy of Social Sciences seminar in Sydney in September 2008. This paper examines the demand for training. It concentrates on the factors that affect individual and employer demand, and points out that accredited vocational education and training (VET) need to be considered in the context of extensive use of non-accredited and on-the-job training Show less

The difficulties experienced by vocational education and training (VET) teachers in delivering the… Show more

The difficulties experienced by vocational education and training (VET) teachers in delivering the generic employability skills embedded in industry training packages are considered in this paper. Show less

The findings of a cultural industries skills audit undertaken in 2008 in Katherine, Northern… Show more

The findings of a cultural industries skills audit undertaken in 2008 in Katherine, Northern Territory, are explored. The case study focusses in particular on the practical challenges and implications of auditing skills in a diverse industry sector and considers the usefulness of such an audit in preparing an industry for predicted change. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Show less

This study examined the implementation of an intensive reading pedagogy, Reading-to-Learn, in adult … Show more

This study examined the implementation of an intensive reading pedagogy, Reading-to-Learn, in adult literacy classrooms. In this method, the teacher plays a crucial role in carefully selecting relevant topics, genres and texts that are slightly beyond the current reading ability of students, and in designing 'scaffolding moves' that build very deliberate preparation into every level of classroom Show less

This research examines how vocational education and training (VET) providers can create an… Show more

This research examines how vocational education and training (VET) providers can create an environment where learning becomes a central, natural, ongoing and integral part of the way they work. It does this by exploring what research says are the key features needed to foster effective learning in the workplace. It then uses this research to develop and trial an instrument which larger providers Show less

Building organisational capability relies on effective workforce development. This study examines… Show more

Building organisational capability relies on effective workforce development. This study examines the processes that registered training organisations (RTO) use to make workforce development decisions. It also looked at how well these align to the personal decisions RTO staff make about their own development. The research found that workforce development needs to be comprehensive, well integrated Show less

In this interview Steve Davis talks with researcher Andrew Smith about his report 'To have and to… Show more

In this interview Steve Davis talks with researcher Andrew Smith about his report 'To have and to hold: Retaining and utilising skilled people', which looked at the ways Australian employers retain skilled staff and enhance their ability to use the skills of their people. Show less

This report examines the ways in which Australian employers retain skilled staff and the ways in… Show more

This report examines the ways in which Australian employers retain skilled staff and the ways in which employers enhance their ability to use the skills of their people. The study found that while strategies such as increasing wages and family friendly policies may increase an employee's job satisfaction, the key driver in employee retention is if they feel they are learning and progressing in Show less

This literature review, undertaken for Australian Industry Group, shows how multiple variations and … Show more

This literature review, undertaken for Australian Industry Group, shows how multiple variations and combinations of formal, informal and non-formal learning, accompanied by various government incentives and organisational initiatives (including job redesign, cross-skilling, multi-skilling, diversified career pathways, action learning projects, quality assurance arrangements, job rotations and Show less

Organisational capability is recognised as a key to organisational success. The combination of… Show more

Organisational capability is recognised as a key to organisational success. The combination of human capital (peoples' skills and knowledge), social capital (relationships between people) and organisational capital (the organisation's processes), is central to building an organisation's capability. The presentation highlights the lessons learnt about building VET provider capability from an Show less

Mp3 of interview conducted by Steve Davis with Roger Harris and Berwyn Clayton about their report… Show more

Mp3 of interview conducted by Steve Davis with Roger Harris and Berwyn Clayton about their report 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future'. Show less

The two-year consortium program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in… Show more

The two-year consortium program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future' focused on approaches to help VET providers build their capability. These eight papers include a program overview, key contextual issues of concern to VET stakeholders, as well as the overall findings and key messages of each specific research activity. An MP3 audio Show less

Employment options have altered dramatically over the past 15 years, with full-time and permanent… Show more

Employment options have altered dramatically over the past 15 years, with full-time and permanent employment no longer the 'standard'. This report examines changes in employment modes for various groups of workers and its effect on the level and extent of skills development. The report finds that there is reduced support for training by employers as a result of the changing employment patterns, 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