All publications

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Yvonne Hillier about her report, 'Innovation… Show more

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Yvonne Hillier about her report, 'Innovation in teaching and learning in vocational education and training: International perspectives'. This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice internationally. It found that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and Show less

This literature review provides a historical account of the development of competency-based… Show more

This literature review provides a historical account of the development of competency-based training in Australia and summarises the issues arising from the range of reviews conducted on elements of the national training system. The review was commissioned by the National Quality Council and originally published on its website. Show less

The report highlights that there is no simple fix to increasing employer investment in training… Show more

The report highlights that there is no simple fix to increasing employer investment in training which has generally not been a core component of long-term business planning. Show less

This at a glance considers the learning that goes on daily in a variety of everyday contexts: from… Show more

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 Show less

This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning … Show more

This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia. Show less

This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning … Show more

This publication explores both the characteristics and examples of innovative teaching and learning practice internationally. It found that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and resource banks to foster better professional practice and help practitioners exchange ideas and resources. In addition, it is important for practitioners to be able to step back from their Show less

Recent research in the vocational education and training (VET) sector shows that students are… Show more

Recent research in the vocational education and training (VET) sector shows that students are gaining a range of benefits from their studies, beyond expected course outcomes. Students are developing new networks, and gaining confidence and self esteem through the respect received from their teachers and classmates. For some students, these advantages help them to find work and interact more Show less

A history of performance measurement for the vocational education and training (VET) sector,… Show more

A history of performance measurement for the vocational education and training (VET) sector, beginning with the creation of the Australian National Training Authority in 1992 and ending with what we know of the current reforms. As well as discussing the various measures, the paper looks at the challenges that are brought up by indicators and makes some suggestions for indicators for the VET system Show less

This paper is a review of literature on employer engagement with vocational education and training… Show more

This paper is a review of literature on employer engagement with vocational education and training (VET). The main conclusion is that the major form of engagement is through the competency-based training system, which is manifested through training packages. Another way employers are encouraged to engage with VET is through competition amongst training providers. This provides employers with Show less

This report examines the costs that both employers and apprentices incur for undertaking training… Show more

This report examines the costs that both employers and apprentices incur for undertaking training in the plumbing and electrical industries. The importance of understanding costs is fundamental. Employers will not take on apprentices if the cost is too high, and prospective apprentices will not undertake an apprenticeship if the future benefits (increased wages) do not outweigh the immediate Show less

Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job-seekers find and keep a job has been the focus of … Show more

Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job-seekers find and keep a job has been the focus of recent reforms announced by the Australian Government. This guide describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead to successful employment outcomes for their Indigenous clients. Based on a selection of good-practice examples, the guide describes how these Show less

This report describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead … Show more

This report describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead to successful employment outcomes for their Indigenous clients. Show less

An overview of research on innovative teaching and learning practice in Australia is discussed in… Show more

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 Show less

This overview of research into innovative teaching and learning practice internationally found that … Show more

This overview of research into innovative teaching and learning practice internationally found that technologies can be used to support networks of practitioners and resource banks to foster better professional practice and help practitioners exchange ideas and resources. In addition, it is important for practitioners to be able to step back from their 'daily grind' to think about what they can Show less

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Barbara Pocock about her paper, 'Low-paid… Show more

In this interview, Steve Davis talks with researcher Barbara Pocock about her paper, 'Low-paid workers, changing patterns of work and life, and participation in vocational education and training'. Show less

Research messages 2008 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National… Show more

Research messages 2008 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research in 2008, including conference papers and occasional papers. It also has an overview of the research highlights for the year. The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its VET research and analysis: Industry and employers; Show less

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning… Show more

This paper aims to contribute to the discussion on the quality and accessibility of underpinning knowledge in competency-based training. It uses the Vocational Graduate Certificate and the Vocational Graduate Diploma in Education Design in a Queensland TAFE institute to examine how the 'traditional' knowledge and theory associated with higher-level qualifications can be accommodated within the Show less

The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for… Show more

The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for encouraging them to study and work in areas such as building and construction. Such strategies include introductory and pre-apprenticeships courses, clustering female students, and support from teachers in opening up job opportunities. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award. Show less

Recognition of prior learning has been a longstanding major policy initiative within the education… Show more

Recognition of prior learning has been a longstanding major policy initiative within the education and training landscape. This report provides insights into how people become aware of their recognition options and explores factors that encourage or inhibit access to recognition of prior learning. This may assist practitioners offering recognition of prior learning services to make changes which Show less