All publications

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 research examined recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in… Show more

This research examined recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in Queensland. Interviews with apprentices, employers and teachers showed that the traditional model is still well regarded. It is not failing, but does require evolutionary change. Show less

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople,… Show more

This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople, with a special focus on electrotechnology, automotive and engineering students. It found that pre-apprenticeships have been used in Australia for many years and are widely regarded as a valuable strategy for increasing the supply and quality of potential apprentices. Pre-apprenticeships are favoured by Show less

The study looks at what factors encourage young people to pursue an apprenticeship. Information… Show more

The study looks at what factors encourage young people to pursue an apprenticeship. Information from students and courses indicates that the key drivers of apprenticeship uptake are intrinsic interest and academic ability. School students with higher academic ability are less interested in apprenticeships. In contrast, those who are part way through their apprenticeship are very positive about Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) is much more important to young people than might be… Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) is much more important to young people than might be immediately apparent. This paper focuses on how young people participate in vocational education and training, what they study and their outcomes. Of particular note is the importance of VET for those young people who do not proceed on the conventional academic path of 12 years of school followed by Show less

This paper models completions for traditional apprenticeships on the basis of commencements from… Show more

This paper models completions for traditional apprenticeships on the basis of commencements from 1995 to 2005. These models are used to understand the dynamics of the relationship between commencements and completions in order to predict the number of future completions. On the basis of the models, it is expected that completions will increase in the future. The models allow the paper to comment Show less

The growth of apprenticeships and traineeships between 1997 and 2003 is examined in this report,… Show more

The growth of apprenticeships and traineeships between 1997 and 2003 is examined in this report, with a specific focus on age and sex. The research found apprenticeships and traineeships changed dramatically during this period, with the range of occupations widening, part-time apprenticeships and traineeships now common, and apprenticeships and traineeships no longer the preserve of the young male Show less

The research investigated the learning preferences of New Apprentices and training preferences of… Show more

The research investigated the learning preferences of New Apprentices and training preferences of their trainers in the manufacturing, community and retail services sectors, and outlines how this data can be used to inform trainers. The study showed that the preferred workplace features of trainers and New Apprentices in manufacturing were quite different from those in retail and community Show less

Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in Australia have significantly… Show more

Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in Australia have significantly expanded over the past decade. This publication provides an overview of research into the VET options available to school-aged people. It also details the emerging social benefits and outcomes of undertaking recognised VET options. The challenges which face the implementation of vocational education Show less

This paper provides an overview of the factors which influence and drive Australia's technical and… Show more

This paper provides an overview of the factors which influence and drive Australia's technical and vocational education and training (TVET) sector. It details the objectives of Australia's national strategy for TVET from 2004 to 2010, and key initiatives of the sector to meet the changing economic and technological environment: a review of training packages, and a review of the national standards Show less

Fully on-the-job training, the majority of which is conducted in the workplace as part of the… Show more

Fully on-the-job training, the majority of which is conducted in the workplace as part of the normal experience of the employee, is perceived to offer benefits to apprentices/trainees, employers and registered training organisations. This report finds fully on-the-job training is viewed by learners and registered training organisations as a good way to learn as it provides flexibility for all Show less

The vocational education and training (VET) sector is an important source of qualifications for… Show more

The vocational education and training (VET) sector is an important source of qualifications for associate professionals; the second fastest growing occupational group in Australia's labour market. The report offers employers, industry organisations, and professional associations an insight into the benefits of contracted work-based training arrangements, like New Apprenticeships, for training 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

Group training is an Australian initiative to encourage the employment of apprentices and trainees. … Show more

Group training is an Australian initiative to encourage the employment of apprentices and trainees. This report examines the structure and function of group training organisations (GTOs) over time and identifies the factors that drive GTOs to change their structure and function. The authors find that group training is a critical component of Australia's skill formation system, and GTOs are highly Show less

Group training organisations act as intermediaries between enterprises and apprentices and trainees … Show more

Group training organisations act as intermediaries between enterprises and apprentices and trainees to facilitate on- and off-the-job training. This report examines the role of the group training organisations (GTOs) in Australia's labour market. The authors find that GTOs, at their best, help promote sustainable work-based learning solutions by sharing the risks associated with employment and Show less

This report provides an overview of funding arrangements implemented as a result of the 1992… Show more

This report provides an overview of funding arrangements implemented as a result of the 1992 Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) Agreement. The Agreement sought to establish a unified national system of vocational education and training (VET) with joint Commonwealth, state and territory responsibility. The report discusses the outcomes of government, industry and individual investment Show less

A descriptive analysis of recent pathways to apprenticeships is presented in this report. It finds… Show more

A descriptive analysis of recent pathways to apprenticeships is presented in this report. It finds pre-apprenticeship programs can play an effective role providing short-term vocational training to young people as a means of improving their chances to gaining an apprenticeship. The report is based on analysis of NCVER data and interviews with students, trainers, training experts, and Show less

What motivates school students to undertake school-based new apprenticeships and how satisfied are… Show more

What motivates school students to undertake school-based new apprenticeships and how satisfied are they with the outcomes? The students themselves answer these questions in this report on the findings of a survey of school-based new apprentices in three Australian states. Questions cover the students' appreciation of the quality of learning and training they received, the effectiveness of work Show less

During the past decade both Australia and China have implemented reforms to their educational… Show more

During the past decade both Australia and China have implemented reforms to their educational systems to develop labour force skills for the new globalised markets. This report describes the major features of the vocational education and training sectors in China and Australia, and their strategies and reforms, with emphasis on links between secondary and post-secondary vocational education and Show less

This is a companion volume to the report 'Getting adults into the trades'.

This is a companion volume to the report 'Getting adults into the trades'. Show less