All publications

Drawing on interviews with students in regional and rural areas of the Northern Territory, this… Show more

Drawing on interviews with students in regional and rural areas of the Northern Territory, this paper looks at their participation in education and training. The paper suggests that learning strategies which acknowledge rural learners' identities may be successful in engaging regional and remote learners in education and training. Show less

This report reveals that the formation and maintenance of social partnerships depends on five key… Show more

This report reveals that the formation and maintenance of social partnerships depends on five key principles relating to purposes and goals; relations with partners; capacity for partnership work; governance and leadership; and trust and trustworthiness. Using four partnerships as case studies, the report set out to assess how these principles and practices can be used to develop social Show less

Through the experiences of refugees from Bosnia, Iraq and Sudan, this research sought to explore… Show more

Through the experiences of refugees from Bosnia, Iraq and Sudan, this research sought to explore the role multicultural community organisations play in creating important informal networks and learning spaces that connect people from refugee backgrounds to the wider Australian community. In particular, the research sought to identify how such organisations assist refugees in their learning of Show less

In recent years, many new arrivals to Australia through the Humanitarian Migration Program have… Show more

In recent years, many new arrivals to Australia through the Humanitarian Migration Program have been refugees from African countries. Their indigenous languages, like many other indigenous languages, do not have a written form. This guide provides a set of 'good practice' strategies for designing effective English language, literacy and numeracy programs for all adult learners from highly oral Show less

This study examined the extent to which English language, literacy and numeracy teachers used… Show more

This study examined the extent to which English language, literacy and numeracy teachers used classroom management strategies to meet the needs of adult Sudanese refugee learners. While teachers met the needs of these learners insofar as they coincided with those of other refugee groups, the highly oral language culture of these learners appeared not to have been accounted for in teaching Show less

Community-run men's sheds have recently developed and proliferated, mainly across parts of southern … Show more

Community-run men's sheds have recently developed and proliferated, mainly across parts of southern Australia and with higher proportions of older men not in work. This study examines their role as a place for older men to learn informally. It concludes that such sheds have important wellbeing and health benefits, primarily for older and retired men. Show less

Using Australia as an example, this paper shows that globalisation poses distinct challenges for… Show more

Using Australia as an example, this paper shows that globalisation poses distinct challenges for technical and vocational education and training (TVET) systems as nations adjust to their areas of comparative advantage. Other challenges that are less often taken into account are the internationalisation of training markets and the entry and exit of skills embodied in people due to migration flows. Show less

The aim of this research is to define good practices which support partnerships between adult and… Show more

The aim of this research is to define good practices which support partnerships between adult and community education and vocational education and training, and identify negative practices which work against such collaborations. The research finds that strong and committed lead personnel, time, respect between organisations and a clear understanding of objectives are key factors for success. Each Show less

Assessing the social and economic costs of poor adult literacy and numeracy skills, and the… Show more

Assessing the social and economic costs of poor adult literacy and numeracy skills, and the benefits of investing in such skills, is largely unchartered territory in Australia. This feasibility study explores the frameworks and methodologies available for determining and measuring such benefits and costs across a number of life domains, including health, finance and small business. Show less

This publication presents the results of a comprehensive research program on Indigenous Australians … Show more

This publication presents the results of a comprehensive research program on Indigenous Australians in vocational education and training (VET), along with feedback from over 200 people who attended the NCVER Research Forum on Indigenous VET in August 2005. The planning and implementation of the research strategy and the forum were undertaken in a partnership between the National Centre for Show less

Indigenous Australians participate in training for many reasons and achieve a range of outcomes.… Show more

Indigenous Australians participate in training for many reasons and achieve a range of outcomes. This systematic review of existing research focuses on the key factors required to ensure Indigenous people achieve the outcomes they aspire to personally and for their communities. It provides evidence to enable vocational education and training policy-makers and practitioners to act and move forward Show less

This report explores the ways in which Indigenous Australians are learning through enterprise and… Show more

This report explores the ways in which Indigenous Australians are learning through enterprise and small business development. It reveals that this learning will be more effective if it takes into account that Indigenous experience differs by location, with remote areas offering a significant challenge. Learning through Indigenous business is most effective where learning is tied to earning; the Show less

Seasonal work is crucial for the many rural regions reliant on seasonal industries such as… Show more

Seasonal work is crucial for the many rural regions reliant on seasonal industries such as agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and tourism. This report examines the diverse nature of the seasonal workforce in two locations and the approaches used in their training. The report finds that the seasonal workforce is diverse and has varied training needs. Like others marginally attached to the workforce 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

Vocational education and training (VET) can assist rural communities develop the necessary skills… Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) can assist rural communities develop the necessary skills to survive and prosper in changing social and economic environments. This report investigates the implementation of training packages in five rural communities, and the strategies providers, community and industry stakeholders use to achieve positive outcomes. Providers in the rural communities Show less

There are differences between, and among, people in ethnic communities. This study seeks to provide … Show more

There are differences between, and among, people in ethnic communities. This study seeks to provide a more nuanced snapshot of vocational education and training (VET) participation and completion rates among Arabic, Bosnian, Cantonese, Spanish, Turkish, and Vietnamese communities. It investigates the effectiveness of English as a second language programs as a pathway to training. Overall, the Show less

Remote Indigenous communities are under increasing pressure to share responsibility for community… Show more

Remote Indigenous communities are under increasing pressure to share responsibility for community well-being and capacity building. Their challenge is to achieve social and economic sustainability without losing core values of Indigenous law, culture and language. Education, training and employment are essential elements to this future scenario. This report is based on a study of a remote 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

This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the… Show more

This report explores how, and to what extent training packages are locally customised to meet the needs of stakeholders in regional and local communities. In doing so it investigates who the stakeholders are, what they want from training and whether their needs are being met. Show less

This report summarises the findings of an exploratory study to measure the impact of adult and… Show more

This report summarises the findings of an exploratory study to measure the impact of adult and community education (ACE) on the Australian economy. It includes a profile of the sector, a description of the non-quantifiable benefits that ACE provides to its teachers and an approach to estimating the economic impact, based on the costs and benefits that can be measured. Show less