This report identifies the strengths, limitations and effectiveness of employment-based training models and provides international and Australian examples.
This report highlights the benefits, challenges and best practices of work-based education in VET programs that involve a student working in a related occupational area to further their learning.
Approximately 70% of all employees in Australia participated in formal or non-formal education and training in 2011—12, and a significant majority of them received employer support for it.
This good practice guide looks at developing and sustaining successful partnerships between employers and training providers, and the potential benefits and challenges of these partnerships.
A snapshot showing how transitions for young Australians continue to change, based on the 2013 Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth annual report.
This publication is a collection of summaries of research projects published by NCVER in 2012.
This highly-popular annual publication provides a collection of summaries of research projects published by NCVER in 2011.
The corrective services industry has a strong history of, and commitment to, the provision of learning and development to its staff. Many Australian correctional jurisdictions are now implementing e-learning tools for this purpose. This research identifies a number of barriers and enablers which impact on the success of e-learning within corrections centres. Barriers can include attitudes and skills of the learner as well as issues associated with computer access and the security of personal information entered into e-learning programs, while enablers include cost-effectiveness and flexibility. The research was funded through NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiative and was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice Scholarship program.
Research messages 2010 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning: VET system; and VET in context. Research messages 2010 also has an overview essay that captures the themes and highlights from the research for the year.
Work practices, skill use and the nature of the workforce in the Australian red-meat-processing sector have undergone significant change over the last few decades. This research overview, based on case studies of four leading enterprises, discusses the importance of supervision and training in the workplace, and how vocational educational and training can contribute.
The early childhood education and care sector in Australia has traditionally been characterised by low skill/low pay jobs and high staff turnover. Some employers, however, have attempted to combat high turnover through careful recruitment and skill development. This research overview describes the approaches of innovative employers who have excelled in the delivery of early childhood education and care services, while also providing staff with a high-quality workplace and attractive employment conditions.
TAFE institutes offering higher education degrees is a relatively new concept, but the practice is expected to grow as a consequence of government policies aimed at increasing the percentage of Australians holding a bachelor degree. Five research overviews have been developed to accompany the research report on this issue. These overviews draw out the implications of the research for TAFE teachers and managers, staff development and public policy, as well as the issues raised in relation to the status of TAFE degrees.
This at a glance considers the learning that goes on daily in a variety of everyday contexts: from the workplace to the home, and through technology and the mass media. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, informal learning is by far the most prevalent form of adult learning. This type of learning offers benefits to all age groups and people, including older workers, migrant groups and refugees, and people who are disengaged from learning. It is also of great benefit to small business who lack the resources to formally train staff and plays an important role in the workplace.
An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in this publication, which was based on discussions with practitioners and vocational education and training (VET) managers responsible for teaching and learning. It examines why and how people are changing their pedagogy, and with what results. It found that improvements in teaching and learning practice arise from a perceived need to change. The imperatives to change are usually locally based and their success is dependent on a commitment by all those supporting the learner. Practice is best shared through effective mentoring and by using networks effectively.
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.
This paper was a before-dinner address to the Management Team Retreat of NCVER in October 2007. It looks at how education and training has changed over the last 15 years, and discusses topics such as sustainable development, leadership and management, and literacy and numeracy.
Two well-established findings about employer-provided training form the backdrop to this research. First, the provision of training and its associated expenditure are highly variable across employers, notably by industry and employment size. Second, employer engagement with the formal system of VET is substantial, and growing, but a number of employers are not entirely satisfied with the system. This publication consolidates and synthesises a body of research conducted over the past few years on the topic of training provided by employers for their workforces.
This suite of overviews provides a comprehensive summary of each of NCVER's managed adult literacy and numeracy research projects funded in 2003.
Vocational education and training (VET) programs for young people in Australia have significantly expanded over the past decade. This publication provides an overview of research into the VET options available to school-aged people. It also details the emerging social benefits and outcomes of undertaking recognised VET options. The challenges which face the implementation of vocational education in schools are also summarised.
Reforms to Australia's vocational education and training (VET) sector over the past few years have brought about significant changes to the work of VET staff and the focus of their roles. This publication summarises recent research into the changing roles of VET leaders, managers, teaching and support staff, and the way they work. The role of senior managers is increasingly focused on the external environment and building links with stakeholder organisations. Front-line managers focus on internal business practices and how to modify these to meet new clients' needs. The role of VET teachers is becoming more diverse and team-based. Within these teams, teaching support staff play a critical part. The publication also summarises a range of human resource and professional development issues, identified by VET staff, which need to be tackled to help them work more effectively in the future.