Building organisational capability relies on effective workforce development. This study examines the processes that registered training organisations (RTO) use to make workforce development decisions. It also looked at how well these align to the personal decisions RTO staff make about their own development. The research found that workforce development needs to be comprehensive, well integrated within the organisation and used strategically.
This report forms part of a comprehensive research program that has examined issues related to building the organisational capability of vocational education and training providers. In particular, this report focuses on the current state of human resource management practice in both technical and further education and private registered training organisations. It also provides an assessment of the extent to which human resource management plays a truly strategic role and proposes approaches to improve both human resource management practice and its impact.
This report examines the ways in which Australian employers retain skilled staff and the ways in which employers enhance their ability to use the skills of their people. The study found that while strategies such as increasing wages and family friendly policies may increase an employee's job satisfaction, the key driver in employee retention is if they feel they are learning and progressing in their careers.
In this interview Steve Davis talks with researcher Andrew Smith about his report 'To have and to hold: Retaining and utilising skilled people', which looked at the ways Australian employers retain skilled staff and enhance their ability to use the skills of their people.
This literature review, undertaken for Australian Industry Group, shows how multiple variations and combinations of formal, informal and non-formal learning, accompanied by various government incentives and organisational initiatives (including job redesign, cross-skilling, multi-skilling, diversified career pathways, action learning projects, quality assurance arrangements, job rotations and mentoring programs), can be used to prepare workers to gain, maintain or progress through jobs.
This publication outlines the outcomes of forums held in 2005 to introduce the consortium research program which has investigated ways of building VET provider capability. It found a range of issues were of concern to participants as they considered how registered training organisations might position themselves to meet the demands of their various clients in the future. In particular, they noted that in a continually changing VET environment, attention would have to be given to new structures and ways of working as well as renewing the VET workforce.
This podcast features a panel discussion recorded by the ABC at NCVER's August 2008 forum Apprenticeships: Sustaining Australia's skills base in Melbourne. The ABC's Peter Mares chaired the session on Australia's skilling issues with panellists Neil Gow, Master Builders Australia, John Hart, Restaurant and Catering Australia, Linda Heron, Heron Human Resources and Peter Tighe, Communications, Electrical and Plumbing Union. It was broadcast on October 3, 2008 as an episode of ABC Radio National's, The National Interest.
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.
Delivered as a keynote address at SEAMEO Vocational Training and Education Research and Networking Conference in Bali, July 2008, this paper considers the role of evidence in public policy and how research can contribute to better policies and innovations in practice. It argues that the right institutional and cultural settings need to be in place before research can play its proper role in policy-making.
Organisational capability is recognised as a key to organisational success. The combination of human capital (peoples' skills and knowledge), social capital (relationships between people) and organisational capital (the organisation's processes), is central to building an organisation's capability. The presentation highlights the lessons learnt about building VET provider capability from an extensive two and a half year research program.
This national study confirms the value of cross-cultural training in developing the cultural competence needed by employees to work effectively with culturally diverse co-workers and customers. The 134 graduates surveyed rated their cross-cultural training highly, reporting improved workplace performance and cultural self-awareness, with most indicating they would like further cross-cultural training.
Design is an increasingly important component of our world-at-work. This project reveals the views of design educators working within vocational education and training (VET). Research participants called for a review of design education teaching methods in the VET context, with a particular focus on promoting innovation and creativity in diploma level programs.
This study explores the experiences and initiatives of vocational education and training (VET) providers in three areas: income sources and mixes, 'thin markets' in VET, and research and development. Practices and policies are evolving in these three areas. The report contributes to a deeper understanding of the scope and range of VET activities in a competitive environment and the factors that shape them.
In this interview Steve Davis talks with researcher Fran Ferrier about her report 'Vocational education and training providers in competitive training markets', which looked at how practices and policies are evolving in the increasingly competitive environment of Australia's vocational education and training sector.
This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in late 2006. The suite of reports examine a wide range of literacy and numeracy issues - from its definition in policy-making terms, teaching and learning approaches and outcomes, to the professional development needs of literacy practitioners. The research also covers literacy practices and various approaches across Indigenous and ethnic communities, industry, volunteer and community settings.
Ways of assessing and acknowledging the range of outcomes in non-accredited community adult language, literacy and numeracy programs are explored in this study. The instruments it tested take account of the diversity of learner needs and motivations. The study highlights that these assessment methods can bring benefits both to the learner and the tutor, especially when they are completed jointly in ways that inform learning plans and aim at building self-confidence.
Through an analysis of major surveys, as well as interviews and case studies with firms in four industries - construction, retail trade, manufacturing and health and community services, this research brings us closer to an understanding of the factors that influence training expenditure. The research shows that survey data needs to be complemented with a program of research in a number of industries to provide a richer understanding of the drivers of employer expenditure and practices.
This interview was conducted by Steve Davis with Victor Callan, about his report 'Accelerated apprenticeships', which looked at recent pilots of accelerated apprenticeships in the automotive industry in Queensland.
The two-year consortium program, 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future' focused on approaches to help VET providers build their capability. These eight papers include a program overview, key contextual issues of concern to VET stakeholders, as well as the overall findings and key messages of each specific research activity. An MP3 audio interview with Berwyn Clayton and Roger Harris can also be streamed or downloaded from the NCVER website.
Mp3 of interview conducted by Steve Davis with Roger Harris and Berwyn Clayton about their report 'Supporting vocational education and training providers in building capability for the future'.