All publications

This report examines participation in vocational education and training (VET) across different… Show more

This report examines participation in vocational education and training (VET) across different regions of Australia. It does this by presenting two main types of analysis: firstly, by mapping of regional participation rates, and, secondly, by regression analyses which, by using key regional data, predict participation and identify 'exceptional' regions, those with unusually high or low rates of 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 report explains the planning processes and financial arrangements underpinning the vocational… Show more

This report explains the planning processes and financial arrangements underpinning the vocational education and training (VET) sector. It looks at the structural capacity of the sector to respond rapidly and efficiently to a dynamic labour market and changes in pattern of skill demand. The report finds that the complexities of the labour market and the multiple demands on the VET system mean Show less

The linkage between tertiary education and the labour market in Australia is examined in this paper … Show more

The linkage between tertiary education and the labour market in Australia is examined in this paper presented, in 2004, to the Korea Research Institute of Vocational Education and Training at the 7th Anniversary International Seminar on Linkage between Higher Education and Labour Market. Show less

This research examined recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in… Show more

This research examined recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in Queensland. Interviews with apprentices, employers and teachers showed that the traditional model is still well regarded. It is not failing, but does require evolutionary change. Show less

This report investigates the role that vocational education and training (VET) can play in the… Show more

This report investigates the role that vocational education and training (VET) can play in the transition from welfare to work. Case studies showed that VET can, and often does, help people move into paid work. However, target groups have varied needs and the study concludes that the VET sector has more to do in catering for these subgroups. Show less

This report maps the picture of Indigenous people's participation in vocational education and… Show more

This report maps the picture of Indigenous people's participation in vocational education and training and other educational services across Australia's desert regions. The report identifies a range of innovations and barriers experienced in enabling pathways through learning into work and other meaningful livelihood opportunities. Show less

It is argued that workforce planning should be built on an understanding of how the labour market… Show more

It is argued that workforce planning should be built on an understanding of how the labour market works and the links between it and education and training. Workforce planning is particularly difficult for the resources and infrastructure industry because the demand for resources is difficult to forecast and the industry is made up of relatively small employers and draws workers from a wide range Show less

The ageing society has been attracting the attention of policy-makers in Australia and in many… Show more

The ageing society has been attracting the attention of policy-makers in Australia and in many other countries. This paper considers the labour market for the traditional trades in Australia over the next 40 years and investigates whether the ageing society will pose a workforce problem. The broad conclusion is that the ageing society will significantly impact on the size of the potential trades Show less

This research examines innovative solutions developed by the vocational education and training… Show more

This research examines innovative solutions developed by the vocational education and training (VET) sector in response to skill shortages in the health sector. The study focuses on VET-trained workers in the health industry, and includes enrolled nurses, nursing assistants, personal care assistants, allied health assistants and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers. The research, Show less

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople,… Show more

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople, with a special focus on electrotechnology, automotive and engineering students. It found that pre-apprenticeships have been used in Australia for many years and are widely regarded as a valuable strategy for increasing the supply and quality of potential apprentices. Pre-apprenticeships are favoured by Show less

One of the most striking features of the modern world is its changing demographic profile. In… Show more

One of the most striking features of the modern world is its changing demographic profile. In almost any policy arena, the issue of demographic change (or ageing) sits alongside globalisation, climate change and the knowledge revolution as areas which are transforming societies, including the ways in which we organise and go about our work activities. This significant and worldwide phenomenon Show less

This report is part of a suite of research projects entitled 'A well-skilled future: Tailoring VET… Show more

This report is part of a suite of research projects entitled 'A well-skilled future: Tailoring VET to the emerging labour market' conducted by a consortium of researchers from the National Institute of Labour Studies and the Centre for Post-compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning. This report aims to clarify the term 'skill shortage' and to explain how skill shortages can be resolved naturally Show less

Skill shortages in the Australian printing industry are examined in this report. The nature of… Show more

Skill shortages in the Australian printing industry are examined in this report. The nature of shortages is considered, as well as responses aimed at resolving shortages. First, at the industry level, strategic responses such as investment in technology and diversification are proposed. Responses at the workplace level focus on attracting employees and improving the capabilities of the existing Show less

Australia's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system is highly reliant on… Show more

Australia's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) system is highly reliant on individual workers and firms making decisions about whether and how to participate in skill formation. For effective workforce development to occur, sophisticated labour market information systems are required to provide signals to workers and firms so they can make optimal choices. This also allows 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

Presented to the Second Sino-Australia Vocational Education and Training Conference at Chongqing on … Show more

Presented to the Second Sino-Australia Vocational Education and Training Conference at Chongqing on 3-5 August, 2005, this paper looks at linkages between the Australian vocational education and training system and the labour market--the formal legal and administrative structures, general skills development, and the dynamics of the labour market. Show less

The idea that individuals,enterprises and economies gain financially from increased participation… Show more

The idea that individuals,enterprises and economies gain financially from increased participation in education or training is often assumed, but is not always easy to demonstrate or quantify. This report explores the benefits of further training for people with low levels of numeracy by analysing Australian and United States longitudinal data which allow links to be made between numeracy level, 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 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