All publications

As part of a program of research examining the capability of vocational education and training… Show more

As part of a program of research examining the capability of vocational education and training (VET) providers, this study examines the career pathways of a wide range of VET employees. It found that careers in VET are characterised by high levels of mobility and self-directed career behaviour aimed at achieving two outcomes: job satisfaction and security of employment. 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

This study explored retention in apprenticeships and traineeships and factors that influence this… Show more

This study explored retention in apprenticeships and traineeships and factors that influence this process. The study is based on interviews with over 400 apprentices and trainees as well as with teachers, trainers and workplace supervisors. The study identifies a range of personal, industry, labour market, workplace and training factors that contribute to the likelihood of an apprentice or Show less

Progression through training should be based on skills attained rather than time served, but the… Show more

Progression through training should be based on skills attained rather than time served, but the time-based approach to apprentice training remains dominant. This report investigates the factors affecting progression and completion. Show less

This report explores the issues of industry currency and professional obsolescence - or the… Show more

This report explores the issues of industry currency and professional obsolescence - or the competence of an individual to perform their job - from the viewpoints of those working in the trades and the professions, with the aim to examine their suitability for VET.  Show less

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with co-author Berwyn Clayton about the report. The purpose of … Show more

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with co-author Berwyn Clayton about the report. The purpose of the study is to take an industry focused approach to investigating the issues of professional obsolescence and industry currency and how they apply to VET practitioners. Show less

Berwyn Clayton is the Director of the Work-based Education Research Centre (WERC) at Victoria… Show more

Berwyn Clayton is the Director of the Work-based Education Research Centre (WERC) at Victoria University and the 2011 Researcher of the Year. This paper presents her keynote speech from the 2011 National VET Research (‘No Frills’) Conference and provides an insight into Berwyn’s journey from teacher to VET researcher. It highlights her interest in assessment and the capability of the Show less

This report explores the beliefs and experiences of new graduates of the certificate IV, with a… Show more

This report explores the beliefs and experiences of new graduates of the certificate IV, with a focus on the graduates' sense of preparedness and confidence in planning, delivering and assessing training, as well as their views on the benefits and limitations of the certificate IV. Show less

This paper focuses on issues which affect the capability of TAFE providers to meet their clients'… Show more

This paper focuses on issues which affect the capability of TAFE providers to meet their clients' and stakeholders' needs and draws extensively on the reports of the consortium research program which examined ways to help build vocational education and training (VET) provider and workforce capability. The paper puts this research, most of which was completed in 2006 and 2007, into a contemporary Show less

This discussion paper arises from a research project investigating the extent to which… Show more

This discussion paper arises from a research project investigating the extent to which practitioners believe the Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAA04) qualification provides an effective foundation for the delivery and assessment of training in the VET environment. This paper focuses on the history of the TAA04 and outlines some of the key issues relating to the quality of delivery. The Show less

Recognition of prior learning has been a longstanding major policy initiative within the education… Show more

Recognition of prior learning has been a longstanding major policy initiative within the education and training landscape. This report provides insights into how people become aware of their recognition options and explores factors that encourage or inhibit access to recognition of prior learning. This may assist practitioners offering recognition of prior learning services to make changes which Show less

The findings of a study examining organisational culture and structure in ten public, private,… Show more

The findings of a study examining organisational culture and structure in ten public, private, community and enterprise-based Australian registered training organisations is presented in this report. It identifies the ways in which organisational cultures and structures shape what is possible within registered training organisations and how to manage change to build organisational capability. Show less

This publication outlines the outcomes of forums held in 2005 to introduce the consortium research… Show more

This publication outlines the outcomes of forums held in 2005 to introduce the consortium research program which has investigated ways of building VET provider capability. It found a range of issues were of concern to participants as they considered how registered training organisations might position themselves to meet the demands of their various clients in the future. In particular, they noted Show less

This study examines the existing and potential strategies for sustaining and building greater… Show more

This study examines the existing and potential strategies for sustaining and building greater levels of management and leadership capability in training organisations. The research report is one of the products of a nationally based research consortium: Supporting vocational education and training (VET) providers in building capability for the future. Show less

This overview provides a summary of the findings of the consortium: Supporting vocational education … Show more

This overview provides a summary of the findings of the consortium: Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future and will be distributed at the forums associated on the findings from the research program. Show less

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors which help successful equity initiatives that … Show more

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors which help successful equity initiatives that had been seeded in TAFE institutes through short-term funding to take root and spread. The report concludes that many equity programs remain stuck in the seeding stage and fail to thrive and grow. It suggests that this is because current funding approaches place too much emphasis on starting Show less

Personal care workers in residential care facilities, who make up one in two of the workforce, are… Show more

Personal care workers in residential care facilities, who make up one in two of the workforce, are the focus of this research. These workers require training because of new work roles linked to new policies and national accreditation standards for residential care facilities. The report identifies how effective skills recognition and training might be provided, drawing on case studies. Show less

The demographic changes in Australia's labour market present challenges for technical and further… Show more

The demographic changes in Australia's labour market present challenges for technical and further education (TAFE) institutes. Within TAFE institutes, in which the teaching workforce is older than the overall national labour force, the imminent departure of many teachers endangers its prime asset - its skill and knowledge base. This report examines the approaches managers and leaders in 16 TAFE Show less

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector have had a significant impact … Show more

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector have had a significant impact on practitioners' work in public and private providers. This study analyses practitioners' perceptions of, and reactions to, the changes. The scope of these changes has been substantial and has required shifts to practitioners' habits, norms, skills and knowledge. While the greatest changes have Show less