All publications

Innovation in business, particularly across the major industries on which Australia's economy… Show more

Innovation in business, particularly across the major industries on which Australia's economy rests, requires a skilled workforce. This book of research readings explores the role Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector can fulfill to assist business innovation. In doing so, various chapters consider the implications of innovation for Australian workers and identify the VET Show less

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector over the past few years have… Show more

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector over the past few years have brought about significant changes to the work of VET staff and the focus of their roles. This publication summarises recent research into the changing roles of VET leaders, managers, teaching and support staff, and the way they work. The role of senior managers is increasingly focused on the Show less

Building equity into Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system is a key component… Show more

Building equity into Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system is a key component of the National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 2004-2010. This book of readings aims to contribute to this important facet of the national strategic plan. The book reviews the achievements equity groups have made, reports on the issues they face, and discusses how to integrate equity Show less

Possessing generic or employability skills is vital in the current labour market. The vocational… Show more

Possessing generic or employability skills is vital in the current labour market. The vocational education and training (VET) sector, like other education sectors, must ensure its clients gain and develop generic skills. This volume of readings summarises NCVER managed research into generic skills undertaken in 2001 and 2002. The work covers four main topics: defining and specifying generic skills Show less

There is growing international and national interest in the concept of social capital, its role,… Show more

There is growing international and national interest in the concept of social capital, its role, and the ways economic and social policies coalesce to drive economic progress and community well-being. This paper identifies eight areas the VET system can contribute to social capital: building social capital in firms; building networks of businesses, especially the small business sector; developing 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

This book of readings summarises and reflects on research about online delivery conducted under the … Show more

This book of readings summarises and reflects on research about online delivery conducted under the auspices of the Australian Flexible Learning Framework, and from other sources. Individual chapters address a range of issues related to flexible approaches to delivery in a number of contexts, including teaching practice and learners' views, operational issues, and online learning in companies and Show less

This 'At a glance' consolidates a range of research into online learning and delivery undertaken… Show more

This 'At a glance' consolidates a range of research into online learning and delivery undertaken within the Australian Flexible Learning Framework for the National Vocational Education and Training System 2000-2004. This publication focusses on the extent, scope, quality features, student support needs and cost-effectiveness of online learning and delivery. Show less

A comparison of nine vocational education and training (VET) systems from countries across Europe,… Show more

A comparison of nine vocational education and training (VET) systems from countries across Europe, East Asia, and North and South America. This study examines the variables that best define and influence the character, behaviour and apparent success of VET systems and the impact of change on these variables. Show less

This publication provides a synopsis of the issues surrounding attrition in apprenticeships and… Show more

This publication provides a synopsis of the issues surrounding attrition in apprenticeships and traineeships, as identified in recent research reports. An analysis of recent NCVER data relating to completion levels has also been incorporated. Show less

Effective communication of information is critical to the uptake of statistical analysis and… Show more

Effective communication of information is critical to the uptake of statistical analysis and research. This At a glance publication looks at how NCVER is communicating information to the vocational education and training sector. 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

The report outlines the major research into literacy and numeracy as related to VET carried out… Show more

The report outlines the major research into literacy and numeracy as related to VET carried out during the 1990s. To do this, it brings together work relevant to the development of notions of literacy and numeracy generally, but focussing on the adult context. It deals with the complexities of the relationships between VET and workplaces and schools as well as the language, literacy, numeracy Show less

This report is a review of the literature, available research and current Australian practice on… Show more

This report is a review of the literature, available research and current Australian practice on work placements. Its purpose is to draw together findings on work placements from three educational sectors in order to inform policy and practice in the VET sector. Show less

This research at a glance provides a summary of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken… Show more

This research at a glance provides a summary of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken into Australia's apprenticeship system, which is published by NCVER in the two volumes - Australian apprenticeships: Facts, fiction and future and Australian apprenticeships: Research readings. Show less

This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of… Show more

This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of competency-based training (CBT) on the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system. CBT was introduced in the late 1980s as part of wider economic policy measures to improve the skill levels of the Australian workforce, enable Australian industry to be more competitive in global markets Show less

An overview of the report 'Meeting the demand: The needs of VET clients'. Today the provision of… Show more

An overview of the report 'Meeting the demand: The needs of VET clients'. Today the provision of vocational education is being shaped more and more by the needs of clients. This report examines the needs of four client groups - industry, enterprises, communities and individuals - and discusses the consequences for policy and practice in VET of their needs. It focuses particularly on the food Show less

The aim of the study was to draw together recent literature and examples of current practice to… Show more

The aim of the study was to draw together recent literature and examples of current practice to provide an overview of on-line delivery in education and training in Australia. The report summarises findings within seven key areas. This study points to future directions in on-line delivery. Show less

This report describes the range of outcome measures used in the VET systems and reviews a range of… Show more

This report describes the range of outcome measures used in the VET systems and reviews a range of literature concerning these measures. The report identifies various perspectives on outcome measures - those of governments, of employers, of students and the broader community and how these perspectives influence the type of measures in use. The report covers research related to student outcomes, Show less