There is evidence to indicate that a culture of training and learning is developing in Australia's enterprises. The report utilises the data from a range of Australian Bureau of Statistics surveys to develop a picture of the state of enterprise training in Australia and identifies the key factors that are associated with the provision of industry training. The report concludes that the future challenge for Australia's training system is to meet the fragmented demand for training created by an individualised training market.
The study compares the relative costs and effectiveness of online learning with traditional face to face teaching methods through six case studies. These case studies provide rich detail about the operating conditions under which different types of online delivery are likely to be cost effective.
This report on evidence of skill shortages in the engineering trades is based on the analysis provided by NCVER to the Engineering Working Group, one of three working groups established in late 1999 to examine trade skill shortages in the electrotechnology, engineering and automotive repair and service trades. This work also draws upon key information provided to the working group by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business.
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.
The encouragement of lifelong learning is one important aim of the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system. The recognition of the concept of 'module' enrolments in VET, in addition to enrolments towards qualifications, gives practical effect to that aim. A student undertaking VET modules only or a 'module enrollee' may be thought of as an individual enrolling in a program with a VET provider, but not intending to proceed to a qualification. Similarly a 'module completer' is a student who is not a graduate but has successfully completed some training in a VET program of study and then left the VET system. This report provides information on the employment and industry characteristics of module enrollees and completers in VET. Their reasons or motivations for module (as opposed to course) enrolment and the employment and lifelong learning outcomes associated with the types of module providers and training programs are also examined.
This project reports the approaches used by six Australian organisations to build and maintain a learning culture. The research study identifies pressures which have contributed to the participating organisations' commitment to learning as well as the similar and dissimilar characteristics which allow these organisations to consider themselves as learning organisations.
This brief report describes new developments and initiatives in the UK on the issue of employability skills. The report focusses particularly on: *The Enterprising Skills Development Movement *A brief history of employer involvement and government partnership initiatives regarding employability *Future development of both key skills and enterprise skills in vocational education and training An appendix for this report is now included, updating the content of employability skills development in the UK. It concentrates on the wider key skills programs, and enterprise skills and education.
This is a report of research undertaken to investigate the current linkages between schools and small enterprises. In particular it examines the literature on structured workplace learning (SWL), identifies the issues and concerns common to the schools and enterprises that took part in the study and develops a model framework for SWL.
The financial benefits of gaining a VET qualification are calculated and assessed in this report. Using data from a representative sample of Australian employees, author Chris Ryan compares the wages and after-tax returns for individuals with different qualifications and with different levels of experience and labour market participation.
The long-term benefits of a VET qualification are compared with the long-term employment outcomes for university graduates and for individuals whose education ceased at Year 12. Also looked at are the long-term effects for VET graduates with disabilities and from non-English speaking backgrounds and what differences exist for males and females over time. Author Chris Ryan uses data from two major surveys to assess the value of various VET qualifications for lifelong learning and longer term employment opportunities.
This study builds on earlier work by one of the authors that identified strategies for effective flexible delivery in workplaces. Training managers and focus groups with supervisors/trainers in 12 enterprises in Victoria were interviewed and their opinions examined on the feasibility of these strategies.
How lifelong learning and vocational training are currently being implemented in Australia and in Germany is explored by educational specialists from both countries in this edited anthology of conference papers. They compare the methods and effects in both countries. The papers also reflect the importance of lifelong learning in the work of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the Bundesinstitut für Berufsbildung, the Australian National Training Authority, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research and the Monash University, ACER Centre for the Economics of Education and Training. The conference in Potsdam in 2000 was organised for the Australia Centre in Berlin, by the Centre for the Economics of Education and Training.
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.
This study examines the evolving nature of work in the process manufacturing industry. It considers the changing political philosophies and especially the enterprise-based industrial relations system that has enabled much of the job redesign examined in this study to occur. In addition, the report looks at recent social theory on the nature of work.
A discussion of the vocational education and training system in Sweden, which has developed from being primarily industry-based in the 1960s to a structurally uniform system that is integrated with general education in the present day.
This project explored the use of a range of learning technologies by TAFE students who are Deaf and hard of hearing. Infrastructure requirements, such as access to interpreters skilled in Auslan signing for the profoundly Deaf, were also explored. The report discusses the range of ways information in the classroom can be made more visual. It also discusses barriers to the implementation and use of these new learning technologies.
This research investigates what knowledge, skills and attitudes independent contractors, working in alliances with others, need to operate successfully in their working life. It also shows how the existing vocational and education training (VET) system meets these needs and what the implications are for VET for the future.
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.
This project developed and tested a management and leadership capability framework for vocational education and training (VET) directors and senior managers. Nine capabilities emerged as required of VET leaders and managers: provides corporate vision and direction; focuses strategically; achieves outcomes; develops and manages resources; change leadership; interpersonal relationships; personal development and mastery; business and entrepreneurial skills; and develops and empowers people.
This report focuses on the training/learning culture in small to medium-large sized enterprises and investigates what factors enhance the value of training and learning in an organisation. The report highlights the importance of informal learning and identifies lessons for marketing training and learning to Australian enterprises. An appendix containing the case studies is available from the web as a pdf file.