All publications

This study explores the common features of high-quality  traineeships using case studies from the… Show more

This study explores the common features of high-quality  traineeships using case studies from the cleaning, child care, construction, retail, finance and insurance, and meat processing areas. Show less

This study provides a comprehensive picture of the way in which employers navigate the Australian… Show more

This study provides a comprehensive picture of the way in which employers navigate the Australian training system and establish partnerships with registered training organisations. It provides insight into how practices have evolved over the last 20 years. Show less

In this paper, the authors examine the links between human resource management, including learning… Show more

In this paper, the authors examine the links between human resource management, including learning and development practices, and building innovation capacity.  Show less

This literature review examines the role of human capital formation in building innovative capacity … Show more

This literature review examines the role of human capital formation in building innovative capacity in firms. The aim of the review is to develop a model of human capital development factors to be used as a basis for a larger research project where the factors that develop innovation capacity in enterprises will be investigated. The review finds that human capital stimulus factors are developed Show less

This good practice guide is based on research that set out to identify the features of high-quality … Show more

This good practice guide is based on research that set out to identify the features of high-quality traineeships and those factors that either facilitate or inhibit their quality. To assist providers and employers offering traineeships, the guide sets out the features of good traineeships, starting from the recruitment phase through to completion. Show less

The report highlights that there is no simple fix to increasing employer investment in training… Show more

The report highlights that there is no simple fix to increasing employer investment in training which has generally not been a core component of long-term business planning. Show less

This report forms part of a comprehensive research program that has examined issues related to… Show more

This report forms part of a comprehensive research program that has examined issues related to building the organisational capability of vocational education and training providers. In particular, this report focuses on the current state of human resource management practice in both technical and further education and private registered training organisations. It also provides an assessment of 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

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

Through an analysis of major surveys, as well as interviews and case studies with firms in four… Show more

Through an analysis of major surveys, as well as interviews and case studies with firms in four industries - construction, retail trade, manufacturing and health and community services, this research brings us closer to an understanding of the factors that influence training expenditure. The research shows that survey data needs to be complemented with a program of research in a number of 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

The level of enterprise expenditure on training in Australia appears to be growing, and now… Show more

The level of enterprise expenditure on training in Australia appears to be growing, and now compares favourably with countries often held as models for national policy and practice. This report outlines a range of policy options employed internationally, including levies, leverage and partnership arrangements to enhance employer contributions to training. Ultimately, the authors find decisions Show less

This report explores the changing nature of the demand for training in enterprises which have… Show more

This report explores the changing nature of the demand for training in enterprises which have adopted new management practices. The new management practices examined in this report include the learning organisation, total quality management, lean production, team working and business process re-engineering. As a result of a survey of private sector enterprises and survey of HR practitioners the Show less

There is evidence to indicate that a culture of training and learning is developing in Australia's… Show more

There is evidence to indicate that a culture of training and learning is developing in Australia's enterprises. The report utilises the data from a range of Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys to develop a picture of the state of enterprise training in Australia and identifies the key factors that are associated with the provision of industry training. The report concludes that the future Show less

This report on evidence of skill shortages in the engineering trades is based on the analysis… Show more

This report on evidence of skill shortages in the engineering trades is based on the analysis provided by NCVER to the Engineering Working Group, one of three working groups established in late 1999 to examine trade skill shortages in the electrotechnology, engineering and automotive repair and service trades. This work also draws upon key information provided to the working group by the Show less

This publication, edited by Andrew Smith, summarises the outcomes of research projects funded by… Show more

This publication, edited by Andrew Smith, summarises the outcomes of research projects funded by the National Research and Evaluation Committee on the subject of return on investment in training. Show less

Older people are flocking to training. They are demonstrating that they want to learn and they can… Show more

Older people are flocking to training. They are demonstrating that they want to learn and they can learn. They are also turning more and more to community providers rather than TAFE. Is TAFE oriented too much towards young people, at the expense of the older person? Show less