National research priorities

6 December 2019

Introduction and current themes

Under new arrangements from 2017 national research priorities and projects are determined through a Skills Senior Officials Network (SSON) Research Working Group (RWG). Members of the RWG include nominees from the Commonwealth Department of Education, Skills and Employment and each jurisdiction, an Australian Industry and Skills Committee nominee, and NCVER.

Broadly, the overarching themes are:

Structures and systems for skilling and learning

Examining the impact of policy, institutional, funding and market frameworks on the provision of education and training.

The impact of vocational education and training

Ensuring individuals and employers get the highest return on investment in education and training.

Teaching and learning

Understanding the needs of learners to ensure meaningful engagement with the education system and examining what works to ensure quality of outcomes across teaching and learning models, assessment and reporting.

Current themes and key areas of focus, with links to current research, are provided in the table below.

Research themes and key areas		Current research projects
Themes	Key areas of focus
Structures and systems for skilling and learning Examining the impact of policy, institutional, funding and market frameworks on the provision of education and training.	Governance Training markets Funding models Models of skill development Qualification relevance and equivalence Competency-based training, training packages and training products Apprenticeships and traineeships Work-based learning and sites of learning, employer use, and employer engagement with training International systems for skilling and learning and comparisons with Australia Compliance/regulation Measuring success, impact and quality outcomes Partnerships Accredited and non-accredited training	What factors explain the likelihood of completing a VET qualification? [Completed] Analysis of high use Training Package qualifications across providers – diversity and performance [Completed] Identifying and developing skills in demand – an international comparison of occupational skills frameworks and their applications [Completed] Timeline of Australian VET policy initiatives [Completed] Higher Apprenticeships – opportunities and barriers [Completed] Do course durations matter to training quality and outcomes? [Completed] The role and function of small VET providers [Completed] The group training paradox: exploring the context and factors impacting on group training apprentice completion rates [Completed] The dynamics of VET qualification demand [completed] Survey of the current VET workforce Are skill sets booming? An analysis of the uptake and utilisation of skill sets [Completed] Traditional apprenticeship experiences and destinations: enhancing what works, removing what doesn't and evolving new practices

The impact of vocational education and training Ensuring individuals and employers get the highest return on investment in education and training.	Economic and social outcomes Future of employment Labour markets Learner diversity and trends Social cohesion Foundation skills	From school to VET: choices, experiences and outcomes [Completed] What is the value of VET in Schools programs?

Teaching and learning Understanding the needs of learners to ensure meaningful engagement with the education system and examining what works to ensure quality of outcomes across teaching and learning models, assessment and reporting.	Aspirations and student choice Outcomes Pathways and transitions VET workforce Pedagogy Assessment Workplace learning	School-to-work pathways [Completed] Online learning in Australia [Completed] Provision of foundation programs for VET in rural and regional Australia

Input to research priorities and projects

Periodically NCVER may call for expressions of interest for research projects to be considered by the Research Working Group. Refer to the funding opportunities page for additional information.

2015-2016 research prospectus

Findings from research conducted

Over the period 2015 to 2016 a Research prospectus directed the implementation of a comprehensive research program under an organising framework of four areas of focus: Productivity, Participation and outcomes, Learning and teaching and The place and role of VET.

The Prospectus was developed following a thorough examination and gap analysis of research conducted under the previous set of Ministerially endorsed National Research Priorities 2011-2014, along with an environmental scan of the sector undertaken by NCVER and consultations and feedback with stakeholders and shareholders in the system.

A snapshot of the substantial array of projects completed and currently being finalised is available.