This research investigates the way that employers and their apprentices and trainees perceive how English language and literacy skills impact on their learning and performance in the workplace in the current context of new apprenticeships. The research was based on a survey to a sample of Queensland employers and their appentices and trainees as well as case studies interviews across three States. The research found that employers were less positive about their employees' English language and literacy skills than the employees themselves but both groups identified the same skills as in need of improvement. These included using computers, spelling and punctuating writing, writing legibly and interpreting graphical information. While employers were generally happy with the way their appentices and trainees communicated with colleagues and worked to achieve a team goal, interpersonal communication skills to deal with more demanding situations emerged as an area requiring more development.
This publication seeks to identify the key determinants of apprentice and trainee employment in Australian small and medium-sized enterprises. The investigation is based on data collected in the ABS Business Longitudinal Survey over the period 1994-95 to 1997-98. The study concludes that there is no evidence of a single business characteristic acting as a trigger for small and medium-size enterprises to provide apprentice and trainee training although there are a number of characteristics which affect an enterprise's propensity to undertake apprentice and trainee training, including the number of employees and the rate of expansion of the enterprise.
This study examines the geographical distribution of apprenticeship commencements in the context of various labour force and population statistics by industry, location of jobs and youth population. Apprenticeship and traineeship statistics between 1995 and 1998 are examined in terms of occupational groupings, duration, full-time/part-time and qualification levels.
This publication provides a comprehensive analysis of the development of apprenticeships in Australia (including the introduction of traineeships and new apprenticeships). The rapid growth and transformation of the system over the past decade is examined in detail and proposals for the future of apprenticeships in Australia are explored.
This paper on the history of apprenticeship in Australia outlines the origins and the main issues that have influenced its development. The paper has a policy focus and attempts to identify the key issues that have been important in the development of the system.
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.
This research at a glance provides a summary of the most comprehensive analysis ever undertaken into Australia's apprenticeship system, which is published by NCVER in the two volumes - Australian apprenticeships: Facts, fiction and future and Australian apprenticeships: Research readings.
This paper is a result of a literature review of 125 publications. It summarises the key issues and directions that are identified in the literature.
Is spending on training personnel worthwhile? Many of the firms in the research reported here believed so; and what is more, results in manufacturing (footwear, wire products) suggest that it delivered sizeable returns in labour productivity. Importantly, findings support the view that firms should be undertaking long-term strategic planning, not just targeting day-to-day problems. The research sought to investigate whether comparative case studies of similar enterprises could be used to demonstrate a relationship between training expenditure and productivity. The method proved ineffective in the services sector (top class hotels, supermarkets), apparently because of greater differences between enterprises.
This study explores the mechanisms utilised by adults in Australia and Korea to keep their skills current or to enhance their range of skills. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries which are providing positive outcomes for adults who are retraining and upskilling, and also highlighted areas of the sector not adequately servicing the needs of this group. The study identified areas of the vocational education and training systems in the two countries which are providing positive outcomes for adults who are retraining and upskilling, and also highlighted areas of the sector not adequately servicing the needs of this group. Synergies were identified between the Korean and Australian training systems to assist each country improve their delivery of vocational education and training to adults who wish to improve their skills.
This publication provides information on apprentices and trainees in the automotive repairs and service trades over the period 1995-1999 including age, AQF level and geographic region, along with employment trends and forecasts for occupations in these trades.
This report documents research into employer engagement with New Apprentices in the electrotechnology industry. It was the outcome of a national project to identify and analyse the triggers for employers to create New Apprenticeship training places, including the level of demand for apprentices and trainees in the industry, the reasons why employers choose or choose not to train, and the policy levers that may influence employer behaviour. The report was funded by the Commonwealth Government through the Department of Education, Science and Training, to support implementation of the electrotechnology industry's Action Plan under the National Industry Skills Initiative.
This publication is designed for those who need an overview of publicly funded vocational education and training activity delivered under South Australia's vocational education and training system. It provides an overview of South Australian vocational education and training students, and the outputs and outcomes from the South Australian vocational education and training system in 1997. Information is provided from a wide range of sources including the NCVER's 1998 Graduate Destination Survey and 1997 Employer Satisfaction Survey, national VET provider and apprentice and trainee data collections, and population and labour force statistics prepared by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
This study examined the advantages and disadvantages of cross-sectoral provision of tertiary education and training. It found that cross-sectoral collaboration could be improved by the development of a coherent national lifelong learning policy, and addressing 'cultural' differences between the various sectors. None of this was assisted by the sources of funding for tertiary education being divided between levels of government. Other obstacles included competition for students, tightly regulated profile negotiation processes in the VET sector and the use of non-graded approaches to competency assessment. Nevertheless, some staff in both the university and VET sectors are working very hard to collaborate and to create opportunities for students to study across sectors. These efforts lay the basis for a more unified tertiary sector and improved opportunitites for lifelong learning.
This study provides an analysis of policies and strategies adopted in five OECD countries to build a learning and training culture. The countries are Britain, United States, Sweden, Netherlands and Germany. The study found that whereas Sweden and the Netherlands have built a learning culture through evolutionary stages embedded in the wider social, economic cultural and political history of the country, Britain shows a revolutionary attempt to change the culture.
This issues paper is a summary of some of the important trends worldwide in the organisation of work and how some international economic developments have affected the position of workers. The author examines some of the issues these trends raise for education and training and argues for government intervention in vocational education and training on economic and equity groups.
This issue of 'Research at a glance' summarises some of the most recent research on the impact of competency-based training (CBT) on the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system. CBT was introduced in the late 1980s as part of wider economic policy measures to improve the skill levels of the Australian workforce, enable Australian industry to be more competitive in global markets and establish new career structures for the Australian workforce. CBT has remained a key element of VET policy adopted by successive governments at federal, State and Territory levels. While early research findings suggested that the implementation of CBT in Australia was neither smooth nor rapid (R Harris et al. 1995), commitment by VET participants, particularly industry and governments, has remained strong and substantial.
Employers in the tourism and hospitality industry go to great lengths to ensure they select applicants with the right personality and attitude for the job. Training in the tourism and hospitality industry must be directly applicable to the workplace. This report provides details of how best to customise training to meet the skill requirements of tourism and hospitality enterprises.
This is a workshop presentation given by the then Managing Director of NCVER, in August 2000 in Beijing, China.
This book reports an attempt to replicate, for Australia, overseas survey results on the payoff to enterprise training. Some of the results are: * Australian firms provide extensive training for their incoming employees and capture nearly all the resulting productivity gains. * The profitability of firms is directly related to the amount and quality of training that they provide. * The profitability of training is particularly high for training that is highly specific, rapidly accomplished and related to the introduction of new technology. * Informal learning is regarded by many businesses as superior to formal classroom training in terms of its impact on profitability and productivity.