All publications

This report explores the beliefs and experiences of new graduates of the certificate IV, with a… Show more

This report explores the beliefs and experiences of new graduates of the certificate IV, with a focus on the graduates' sense of preparedness and confidence in planning, delivering and assessing training, as well as their views on the benefits and limitations of the certificate IV. Show less

This report describes the characteristics of those who continue to work beyond the age of 65.

This report describes the characteristics of those who continue to work beyond the age of 65. Show less

Student intentions and outcomes in regard to studying the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment … Show more

Student intentions and outcomes in regard to studying the Certificate IV in Training and Assessment at NSW community colleges is the subject of this paper. Gaining employment and acquiring presentation skills were the most common reasons given for undertaking the course, but for many students the course did not deliver this. Those students who accessed pre-course information and thus had more Show less

Having a choice of transition pathways from school to work, further education or training gives… Show more

Having a choice of transition pathways from school to work, further education or training gives young people the best chance of success. Using the 1995 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth, this study looks at the role post-school qualifications play in the year-by-year movement between labour market states by young people. Higher post-school qualifications are found to increase Show less

When the skills workers have do not match the skills that jobs require, a number of negative labour … Show more

When the skills workers have do not match the skills that jobs require, a number of negative labour market outcomes can occur, including productivity and efficiency losses, lowered earnings and reduced job satisfaction. Using data from the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey, this study examines the degree of job mismatch experienced by workers. The mismatch between Show less

Increasing the number of people with vocational qualifications at the certificate III level or… Show more

Increasing the number of people with vocational qualifications at the certificate III level or higher was one of the targets set by the Council of Australian Governments in late 2008 as a way of increasing the skill levels of the Australian population. But why enrol in vocational education and training (VET)? This study looks at the employment and earning benefits for individuals in completing a Show less

This discussion paper arises from a research project investigating the extent to which… Show more

This discussion paper arises from a research project investigating the extent to which practitioners believe the Certificate IV Training and Assessment (TAA04) qualification provides an effective foundation for the delivery and assessment of training in the VET environment. This paper focuses on the history of the TAA04 and outlines some of the key issues relating to the quality of delivery. The Show less

This study explores the common features of high-quality  traineeships using case studies from the… Show more

This study explores the common features of high-quality  traineeships using case studies from the cleaning, child care, construction, retail, finance and insurance, and meat processing areas. Show less

This report considers different perspectives of higher education qualifications offered by TAFE… Show more

This report considers different perspectives of higher education qualifications offered by TAFE institutes, focusing on associate degrees and degrees. Show less

This paper aims to provide a picture of the occupations in the community services and health… Show more

This paper aims to provide a picture of the occupations in the community services and health industry, and how the workforce obtains the required skills. The authors argue that planning for the industry should concentrate on occupations specific to the industry and those which require high skill levels. Findings suggest that the qualification levels of community services and health workers have Show less

The report highlights that there is no simple fix to increasing employer investment in training… Show more

The report highlights that there is no simple fix to increasing employer investment in training which has generally not been a core component of long-term business planning. Show less

Growth in mixed-sector institutions offering both vocational and higher education qualifications is … Show more

Growth in mixed-sector institutions offering both vocational and higher education qualifications is expected to increase given recent and predicted policy changes. This issues paper focuses on the provision and management of higher education in TAFE institutes. Issues raised for discussion include the governance of mixed-sector institutions as well as ensuring access and maintaining progression Show less

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning… Show more

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning knowledge in competency-based training. It uses the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma in Education Design in a Queensland TAFE institute to examine how the 'traditional' knowledge and theory associated with higher-level qualifications can be accommodated within the Show less

Recognition of prior learning has been a longstanding major policy initiative within the education… Show more

Recognition of prior learning has been a longstanding major policy initiative within the education and training landscape. This report provides insights into how people become aware of their recognition options and explores factors that encourage or inhibit access to recognition of prior learning. This may assist practitioners offering recognition of prior learning services to make changes which Show less

This paper investigates large differences in employer satisfaction with vocational education and… Show more

This paper investigates large differences in employer satisfaction with vocational education and training (VET) between 2005 and 2007. Differences in weighted estimates of employer satisfaction are examined in light of sample sizes and the distribution of employers' responses to the Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System. Show less

This report summarises the costs and benefits of studying for a VET qualification. It finds that… Show more

This report summarises the costs and benefits of studying for a VET qualification. It finds that generally students have an adequate economic incentive to enrol in VET. The best returns were for students who study higher-level qualifications (certificate III upwards), and do so part-time. Show less

The ageing of the Australian population has become an issue of national concern. How ageing impacts … Show more

The ageing of the Australian population has become an issue of national concern. How ageing impacts on the supply of vocational skills is less well known, and different age groups vary in the extent and character of vocational skills they possess. This report analyses and quantifies the compositional effects of changing demographics on both the quantitative and qualitative dimensions of the 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 report investigates the role that vocational education and training (VET) can play in the… Show more

This report investigates the role that vocational education and training (VET) can play in the transition from welfare to work. Case studies showed that VET can, and often does, help people move into paid work. However, target groups have varied needs and the study concludes that the VET sector has more to do in catering for these subgroups. Show less

The vocational education and training sector (VET) has a reputation for providing learners with a… Show more

The vocational education and training sector (VET) has a reputation for providing learners with a second chance. This report critically examines this idea, and finds that although VET provides opportunities for a second chance at education to many prospective students, the percentage who complete their studies and gain a qualification is modest. Show less