Australia's national VET data custodian

Publications

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Lessons and challenges: Vocational education in schools - Research overview

By Kate Barnett, Robin Ryan

A stocktake of issues and activities in vocational education and training in schools through the perspectives of the published literature and policy documentation between 1997 and 2003 is the subject of this report. It identifies progress made and concludes that vocational programs in schools are meeting expectations and have achieved a legitimate place in the school curriculum, but that several implementation issues remain.

Shifting mindsets: The changing work roles of vocational education and training practitioners

By Roger Harris, Michele Simons, Berwyn Clayton

Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector have had a significant impact on practitioners' work in public and private providers. This study analyses practitioners' perceptions of, and reactions to, the changes. The scope of these changes has been substantial and has required shifts to practitioners' habits, norms, skills and knowledge. While the greatest changes have been increased work responsibilities and shifts in relations with industry in particular, a key theme is the varied impact the changes have on VET organisations and practitioners.

Managing better: Measuring institutional health and effectiveness in vocational education and training

By Graham Maxwell, Peter Noonan, Ian Hardy, Mark Bahr

Vocational education and training (VET) policy is increasingly focused on the importance of quality in each VET institution's capacity to deliver effective programs. This report addresses institutional-level monitoring and evaluation of performance and provides a comprehensive model which institutes can use for this purpose. The model draws on background theory and practice and identifies a range of relevant indices across three dimensions: inputs, processes, and outputs/outcomes. The results are an important first step to an improved and empirically based understanding of the factors that contribute to successful outcomes from VET providers.

Group training in Australia: A study of group training organisations and host employers

By Phillip Toner, Duncan Macdonald, Nic Croce

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 responsive and adaptive to their policy and commercial environment. However, the authors warn that increasing commercialisation of group training has the potential to threaten the quality of training, and in particular the training opportunities for the more disadvantaged.

Maximising confidence in assessment decision-making: Current approaches and future strategies

By Berwyn Clayton, Sue Roy, Robin Booth, Robyn House

This report provides a literature review and history of approaches to quality assurance of assessment in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia and overseas. It also examines eight potential models that can be used by individual or groups of assessors within a training organisation. The models include a diagnostic assessment tool, an assessment principles checklist, and guidelines for the development of assessment instruments. The report provides background to the development of the resource kit.

Quality indicators in vocational education and training: International perspectives

By Kaaren Blom, Dave Meyers

This report explores the ways in which quality is defined and understood within vocational education and training (VET) systems, and the indicators that various systems and institutions have adopted around the world. The quality indicators have been brought together into an evaluative framework and reveal Australia's need to consider how to accommodate the aspirations of learners in a changing society and to better meet broad community needs.

Indigenous people in vocational education and training: A statistical review of progress

By John Saunders, Michael Jones, Kaye Bowman, Phil Loveder, Louise Brooks

This report provides a statistical overview of Indigenous peoples' participation and outcomes in vocational education and training (VET) over the period of implementation of the Australian National Training Authority's 'Partners in a learning culture' strategy. It was developed as an outcome of the mid-term review of this strategy. The data analysis provides base benchmarks against which trends over the coming years, and up to 2005 (when the strategy is due to end), can be assessed. The data are all sourced from the national VET statistical collections managed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

What impact is implementing a quality system having on the vocational education and training classroom?

By Jennifer Gibb

This study examines the impact of implementing a quality system in Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector. Specifically, the report investigates a quality system and how it is put into practice in TAFE institutes, and the impact of implementing such a system on the learning environment. This study is aimed at practitioners and other stakeholders interested in the implementation of a quality system in the classroom and its fit with wider national quality initiatives.

The secret is the teacher: The learner's view of online learning

By Joan Cashion, Phoebe Palmieri

This report is based on a survey of vocational education and training students who were studying online, as well as discussions with teachers. It describes what makes for a quality online learning experience and provides suggestions for organisations delivering training online.

Maximising confidence in assessment decision-making: Resource kit for assessors

By Berwyn Clayton, Robyn House, Sue Roy, Robin Booth

This resource contains practical material to help assessors maintain the quality of their assessment systems. It includes an overview of how registered training organisations can develop a validation or moderation process, and a range of checklists that assessors can use as part of the assessment review process. Also included is a sample of a code of practice for assessors, guidelines for set-up simulated assessment and gathering evidence, and guidelines for training organisations on documenting partners and collaborative assessment arrangements. The resource is designed as a series of strategies with case study examples and scenarios of how particular RTOs have dealt with assessment issues.

Evaluation of web-based flexible learning

By Charlie McKavanagh, Clive Kanes, Fred Beven, Allan Cunningham, Sarojni Choy

The focus of this report is on the nature of the uptake of web-based technologies and the quality of teaching and learning that is emerging. The report provides an overview of selected online vocational education and training delivery sites and explores a model for evaluating web-based flexible learning practices.

Graduate satisfaction and entry-level training in office skills

By Michael Long, Lyn Robinson, Jeff Malley

This report presents results from the 1997 TAFE Graduate Destination Survey and from interviews conducted in 1998 with staff from nine courses in entry-level office skills. The aim of the report is to compare satisfaction ratings and the outcomes achieved by graduates from courses at similar levels and in similar fields of studies across different training organisations.

Australian apprenticeships: Research readings

By Nigel Smart

This publication summarises the outcomes of 11 research projects funded by the National Research and Evaluation Committee. It also contains an introductory chapter by Nigel Smart and an invited chapter from Kaye Schofield. Summaries of each of the 11 research projects are also available in the companion volume - Australian Apprenticeships: Research at a glance.

Improving RPL: A workplace perspective

By Richard Kenyon, John Saunders, Jennifer Gibb

These books have been designed to improve the quality and use of the recognition of prior learning (RPL) by looking at RPL practices in organisations around Australia. They are for people in the workplace who are designing an RPL process or who want to implement one.

Improving RPL: A training provider's perspective

By Richard Kenyon, John Saunders, Jennifer Gibb

These books have been designed to improve the quality and use of the recognition of prior learning (RPL) by looking at RPL practices in organisations around Australia. They are for people in the workplace who are designing an RPL process or who want to implement one.