All publications

As part of the three-year research program, 'Vocations: the link between post compulsory education… Show more

As part of the three-year research program, 'Vocations: the link between post compulsory education and the labour market', this working paper sets the policy context and direction of the entry to vocations research stream. After looking at the current ‘in-school’ element of VET in Schools programs and jurisdictional differences, the paper raises a set of questions for discussion. For example, Show less

What would prompt people to undertake education and training in their mid-20s and beyond and what… Show more

What would prompt people to undertake education and training in their mid-20s and beyond and what are the benefits? The authors investigate what motivates people to undertake education and training at more mature ages and the impact of this on their labour market outcomes. They found that males who undertake further education and training after the age of 25 years did so for reasons related to Show less

This report explores the transitions students make in undertaking a second qualification (i.e.… Show more

This report explores the transitions students make in undertaking a second qualification (i.e. whether they change field of education and/or move between the VET and higher education sectors). Show less

Using data from the 2009 Student Outcomes Survey, this report looks at the pay-offs of completing… Show more

Using data from the 2009 Student Outcomes Survey, this report looks at the pay-offs of completing of a vocational education and training (VET) qualification on a range of outcomes, and identifies the groups for whom completion is particularly important. Show less

This report compares the outcomes for young people who complete certificate I or certificate II… Show more

This report compares the outcomes for young people who complete certificate I or certificate II qualifications with the outcomes for similar individuals who are not participating in post-school education and training, using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. Show less

Lorraine Dearden talks in this podcast about work she has co-authored on widening participation in… Show more

Lorraine Dearden talks in this podcast about work she has co-authored on widening participation in higher education in the United Kingdom (UK). Show less

An increasing and important requirement of any funded research program is the ability to… Show more

An increasing and important requirement of any funded research program is the ability to demonstrate that it is relevant and useful to public policy and to practitioners. This study takes the framework NCVER developed for measuring research impact to assess the outcomes from research and activities funded under the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth Research Innovation and Expansion Fund. Show less

To provide insights into how young people may fare in the current economic downturn, this study… Show more

To provide insights into how young people may fare in the current economic downturn, this study examines the experience of youth in a previous downturn. Show less

Assessing the impact of research in the social sciences is important in demonstrating that the… Show more

Assessing the impact of research in the social sciences is important in demonstrating that the research is useful and has been used. This good practice guide firstly provides indicators of how to best assess impact across four domains - producing knowledge, building the capacity of researchers and end users, influencing policy, and influencing practice. The guide secondly discusses ways to Show less

This report investigates the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) for its coverage of… Show more

This report investigates the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) for its coverage of wellbeing questions. It is an area of considerable interest to policy-makers, and having a valid set of wellbeing questions in LSAY will enhance the capacity to investigate the links between wellbeing and other domains of interest for young people. The analysis finds three robust factors, which can be Show less

This paper aims to explain the extent to which variation in apprenticeship completion rates can be… Show more

This paper aims to explain the extent to which variation in apprenticeship completion rates can be attributed to factors relating to 'culture' of the employer and apprentice.  Show less

This paper quantifies the impact of different dimensions of socioeconomic disadvantage on Year 12… Show more

This paper quantifies the impact of different dimensions of socioeconomic disadvantage on Year 12 completion. Show less

This paper discusses how a 'gap-taker' can be defined, noting that gap-taking is not the same as… Show more

This paper discusses how a 'gap-taker' can be defined, noting that gap-taking is not the same as deferral. Show less

The Student Outcomes Survey is an annual national survey of vocational education and training (VET) … Show more

The Student Outcomes Survey is an annual national survey of vocational education and training (VET) students. Since 1995, participants have been asked to rate their satisfaction with different aspects of their training, grouped under three main themes: teaching, assessment, and general skills and learning experiences. In this paper we review and compare three different methods of creating summary Show less

Research has shown that overskilling — where workers are not fully using their skills in their jobs … Show more

Research has shown that overskilling — where workers are not fully using their skills in their jobs — can lead to reduced wages and job satisfaction. This report builds on that previous research and investigates the persistence of overskilling mismatch and the effect of past mismatch on wages. Show less

This paper aims to 'lift the lid' on completion rates, explaining how they are defined and how they … Show more

This paper aims to 'lift the lid' on completion rates, explaining how they are defined and how they are calculated.  Show less

This highly-popular annual publication provides a collection of summaries of research projects… Show more

This highly-popular annual publication provides a collection of summaries of research projects published by NCVER in 2011.  Show less

Using interviews with adult migrants over a period of two years, the authors look at how… Show more

Using interviews with adult migrants over a period of two years, the authors look at how undertaking an English as a second language (ESL) class helps to facilitate integration into Australian society. Show less

The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a global issue. This research examines the… Show more

The recycling of electronic waste (e-waste) has become a global issue. This research examines the issues associated with e-waste recycling at the level of a TAFE institute with 17 campuses. Findings suggest that at a local level people are willing to deal with e-waste in a sustainable manner. If given a choice, they will usually pick the most convenient method of disposal, such as kerbside pick Show less

Pre-vocational programs, including VET in Schools, are increasingly providing a pathway into… Show more

Pre-vocational programs, including VET in Schools, are increasingly providing a pathway into traineeships in the same way that pre-apprenticeships are an established route into apprenticeships in the traditional trades. This report uses data from the 2010 Apprentice and Trainee Destination Survey and finds that the benefits of pre-vocational programs are mostly apparent for early school leavers Show less