All publications

Vocational education and training (VET) policy is increasingly focused on the importance of quality … Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) policy is increasingly focused on the importance of quality in each VET institution's capacity to deliver effective programs. This report addresses institutional-level monitoring and evaluation of performance and provides a comprehensive model which institutes can use for this purpose. The model draws on background theory and practice and identifies a range Show less

Fully on-the-job training, the majority of which is conducted in the workplace as part of the… Show more

Fully on-the-job training, the majority of which is conducted in the workplace as part of the normal experience of the employee, is perceived to offer benefits to apprentices/trainees, employers and registered training organisations. This report finds fully on-the-job training is viewed by learners and registered training organisations as a good way to learn as it provides flexibility for all 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

This paper was presented to the Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference, in… Show more

This paper was presented to the Australasian Evaluation Society International Conference, in Auckland, New Zealand, on 18 September 2003. It highlights the success of the National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation (NVETRE) program in contributing to policy and planning in Australia. Show less

Training packages are a key reform of the vocational education and training (VET) system. This… Show more

Training packages are a key reform of the vocational education and training (VET) system. This report describes how the implementation of training packages has led to new, flexible approaches to training and assessment at six case study sites. It also shows this implementation has affected the role of registered training organisations, industry bodies, and enterprises. While most of these changes 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

Assessing generic skills in a selection of training packages is the focus of this report. Based on… Show more

Assessing generic skills in a selection of training packages is the focus of this report. Based on case studies, the authors also examine how these skills are understood by trainers and learners. The report contains a comprehensive literature review of assessment of generic skills. Show less

This report provides a statistical overview of Indigenous peoples' participation and outcomes in… Show more

This report provides a statistical overview of Indigenous peoples' participation and outcomes in vocational education and training (VET) over the period of implementation of the Australian National Training Authority's 'Partners in a learning culture' strategy. It was developed as an outcome of the mid-term review of this strategy. The data analysis provides base benchmarks against which trends Show less

This report examines issues the performance indicators used to compare Australia's vocational… Show more

This report examines issues the performance indicators used to compare Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system against other countries. Specifically, it presents an outline of the main indicators currently used and examines some of the problems associated with their application. A framework for developing a set of indicators to assist the understanding of the effectiveness of Show less

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer have become widely accepted and applied in… Show more

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) and credit transfer have become widely accepted and applied in the vocational education and training (VET) sector throughout the 1990s. This review documents their development between 1995 and 2001, giving an overview of Australian research with analyses of national data for the period. This report documents how and where RPL is applied and its perceived Show less

This report investigates the conduct of assessments at diploma and advanced diploma levels. It… Show more

This report investigates the conduct of assessments at diploma and advanced diploma levels. It highlights differences between four certificate levels and two diploma levels in terms of the competency standards, assessment environment and assessor skills. The research also identifies a number of actions which can improve the quality of assessments at diploma and advanced diploma levels. Show less

The study compares the relative costs and effectiveness of online learning with traditional face to … Show more

The study compares the relative costs and effectiveness of online learning with traditional face to face teaching methods through six case studies. These case studies provide rich detail about the operating conditions under which different types of online delivery are likely to be cost effective. Show less

The focus of this report is on the nature of the uptake of web-based technologies and the quality… Show more

The focus of this report is on the nature of the uptake of web-based technologies and the quality of teaching and learning that is emerging. The report provides an overview of selected online vocational education and training delivery sites and explores a model for evaluating web-based flexible learning practices. Show less

This study investigates the differences in terms of outcomes between those who completed courses at … Show more

This study investigates the differences in terms of outcomes between those who completed courses at diploma level and those who chose to complete only portions of these courses. It draws on the 1999 Student Outcome Survey and compares data on graduates and module completers who either completed or undertook modules within associate diploma, diploma or advanced diploma courses. The report analyses Show less

This book provides an overview of approaches to assessing returns on investment in training. It… Show more

This book provides an overview of approaches to assessing returns on investment in training. It also introduces readers to practical strategies for calculating these returns. Show less

A new body of research has just been completed on the returns to investment in training in… Show more

A new body of research has just been completed on the returns to investment in training in Australia. Prior to this research effort, little empirical research had been undertaken on the returns to training in Australia. This research at a glance synthesises the findings of the recent Australian research. 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

This publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of apprenticeships in… Show more

This publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of apprenticeships in Australia (including the introduction of traineeships and new apprenticeships). The rapid growth and transformation of the system over the past decade is examined in detail and proposals for the future of apprenticeships in Australia are explored. Show less

Recent studies indicate that enterprises receive beneficial returns from their investment in… Show more

Recent studies indicate that enterprises receive beneficial returns from their investment in training. Human resource practitioners, employers, governments and researchers also agree that more needs to be done to demonstrate the returns to enterprises from this investment. However, many enterprises appear unwilling or unable to actually evaluate these returns and most reported Australian studies Show less