All publications

The primary purpose of this project is to produce a set of guidelines on how to deliver adult… Show more

The primary purpose of this project is to produce a set of guidelines on how to deliver adult literacy and numeracy education and training using a social capital approach. Show less

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 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

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

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

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

Australia needs highly skilled workers to sustain a healthy economy. Current employment-based… Show more

Australia needs highly skilled workers to sustain a healthy economy. Current employment-based training models have limitations in meeting the demands for highly skilled labour supply. The research explored current and emerging models of employment-based training to propose more effective models at higher VET qualifications that can maintain a balance between institution and work-based learning. Show less

This publication provides a brief overview of migration, with an emphasis on the contribution… Show more

This publication provides a brief overview of migration, with an emphasis on the contribution migration has made to the workforce. It shows that Australia has been using targeted migration programs to expand and enhance the skills base of its workforce for some time. 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

The use, learning and transfer of workplace numeracy skills, as well as current understandings of… Show more

The use, learning and transfer of workplace numeracy skills, as well as current understandings of the term numeracy, are examined in this study. It also highlights the importance of numeracy as an essential workplace skill. The report challenges the training system and training organisations to provide numeracy training which makes links directly to workplace contexts as well as to mathematical Show less

This report examines the extent and nature of professional development required to meet the current … Show more

This report examines the extent and nature of professional development required to meet the current and future needs of Workplace English Language and Literacy Programme practitioners. While the working environment for such practitioners is becoming more complex, with greater demands on them to have industry knowledge and project management skills, the report finds that engagement in professional Show less

This study, undertaken for the National Electrical and Communications Association, profiles the… Show more

This study, undertaken for the National Electrical and Communications Association, profiles the electrotechnology workforce and focuses especially on how the industry is adapting to the rapidly changing environment. Through analysis of data and interviews, the study found that the electrotechnology industry has adapted well to its customers' demands to integrate the electrical and communication Show less

The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce … Show more

The question of how the skills and knowledge of the adult language, literacy and numeracy workforce can be improved is particularly relevant in view of the ongoing debate on how language, literacy and numeracy skills should be taught. This study reflects on the professional development needs of the three sectors--vocational trainers, specialist teachers and volunteer tutors-- of the Australian Show less