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This paper provides an opportunity for input from interested parties on the direction the Australian and Northern Territory Governments will take in purchasing New Apprenticeships Support Services for the Northern Territory, after the existing contract expires on 30 June 2006. The first part of this paper provides some background information on the current services being provided under the New Apprenticeships Support Services contract along with information about the current vocational education and training environment. The second part of the paper, headed ‘Issues for consideration’ poses a number of questions that offer a guide to responding to ‘what the Australian and Northern Territory Governments should be purchasing’, in terms of the services provided, and ‘how the services should be purchased’, in terms of fee structure and contractual terms and conditions. The third part of the paper provides an indicative timetable for the Northern Territory New Apprenticeships Support Services tender process. Show less

The vocational training and education system faces a number of complex challenges as it meets the goals of the National Reform Agenda. There will be an increased demand for higher level skills and to provide appropriate training opportunities for unqualified adults. The community education and training sector will play an important role in achieving the outcomes of the Reform Agenda. The Ministers of Vocational Education and Training (VET) have been asked by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to report in November 2006 on how the vocational education and training system can be improved to meet the challenges of the next decade and beyond. This discussion paper seeks to contribute to this process by addressing the following questions: (1) What challenges does the National Reform Agenda pose for the VET sector?; (2) What role does community education currently play in VET?; (3) Where might community education fit in the coordinated response to National Reform?; and (4) What actions might governments take to achieve this?

Published summary reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

This project was initiated with the aim of providing guidance for developers who were creating online and multimedia language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) materials to support existing Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) toolboxes. The project was innovative and was responsive to alternative outcomes, strengthening LLN within the national flexible learning agenda. Show less

This paper looks at a range of issues with respect to maintaining and improving the quality of teaching and learning in Australian higher education institutions. The higher education context has been changing with the shift from an elite system to a mass higher education system and student participation has also changed. Higher education is charged with producing graduates who possess the skills and knowledge to continue their individual development as well as contribute to the nation's economic, social and cultural development. Dialogue between institutions and stakeholders, including employers and professional associations, will ensure appropriate student outcomes for the needs of the future. This paper looks at the maintenance of appropriate academic standards and increased consistency in the method of assessment. It is suggested that there needs to be a renewed focus on scholarship in teaching and a professionalisation of teaching practice. Show less

This document reports on a project which was intended to develop models to recognise, value and utilise employability skills. The project provided an opportunity to progress practical approaches for the recognition and recording of employability skills that could be useful across sectors and consistent with lifelong learning. The project brief required outcomes that are applicable across sectors; that is, relevant to schools, vocational education and training (VET), higher education and the broader community, including workplaces. Thus, the models were to be universally applicable, being underpinned by cross-sectoral recognition of the employability skills, and cross sectoral acceptance of a common approach for the recording of employability skills by individuals. The project identified three critical features of employability skills recognition and recording models that may make implementation easier and encourage broad uptake of the models. These features are: (1) the adoption of the definition of ‘employability skills’ and the eight employability skill groupings developed from research with employers; (2) a non-prescriptive approach to the elements in the models; and (3) an approach that is clearly controlled by and the responsibility of individuals. Show less

This report reviews progress in implementing the Australian government's five year innovation statement 'Backing Australia's ability', and also reports more broadly on the outcomes from the Australian government's support for science and innovation. The report focuses on the three key elements of Australia's science and innovation base: developing and retaining skills, research and development, and the commercial application of research. It provides further detail on the progress and achievements of government science and innovation initiatives and programs, as well as outlining the current ways that the vision for Australian innovation is being designed. A highlight of the report is the many examples of collaboration between the private and public sectors, between universities and industry partners, and between national and international partners.

Excerpts from publication. Show less

The Enterprise Education Action Research Project was undertaken in approximately 200 Australian primary and secondary schools between April 2002 to April 2004. This action research represents the first comprehensive national analysis of enterprise education in schools. The research is supported by a diversity of actual school experiences. Enterprise education involves the acquisition of skills which enable students to be innovative, creative and successful at managing their own learning, and in combining their personal, community, business and education opportunities. This report documents case studies of thirty-two project schools who participated in the project. Section one consists of 16 case studies from phase one of the project which were originally published in 2003. Section two consists of 16 case studies of enterprise education in practice as described at the end of the project in 2004.

The project report is indexed at TD/TNC 78.429. Show less

Under the Indigenous Youth Partnership Initiative (IYPI), 18 projects were funded to address issues such as disengagement from education, poor attendance, low level of basic skill attainment, low involvement in vocational education and training (VET) and a relatively low level of engagement with employers and work, all of which contribute to the generally poorer outcomes for Indigenous youth in education and transition. This report evaluates the 18 projects which were funded and administered by the then Enterprise and Career Education Foundation (ECEF) in conjunction with the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). It explores factors influencing performance, including geographical location, and identifies any approaches, interventions and strategies that may have had a positive effect. The evaluation found that: career education plays an important part in the development of employability skills; lack of local role models, limited labour markets in remote communities, and parental and community preconceptions and expectations can all adversely affect the career education of Indigenous students; the 'hands-on' nature of VET courses suits the learning styles of many Indigenous students and thereby contributes to keeping them engaged in general education; school-based VET improves the employability of students and also contributes to broader educational outcomes (such as literacy and numeracy) by providing a more meaningful context for learning; school-based New Apprenticeships are an effective mechanism for delivering VET in Schools programs to Indigenous students; a good coordinator is important in increasing Indigenous participation in structured work placements; there are specific benefits from the involvement of Local Land Councils, Community Development Employment Projects (CDEPs), group training companies, Indigenous youth services and Indigenous governance organisations; and mentoring provides young Indigenous people with much needed advice and support from a trusted adult. The contents are: Executive summary; Introduction; Historical background and policy context; The Projects; The results; The Strategies (vocational education strategies, workplace engagement strategies, community engagement strategies, success factors and mistakes to avoid); Conclusions - mending the breaks in the road. Show less

This paper presents four funding models for higher education based on issues raised in submissions to the Review of Higher Education and the overall perceived need for change in the way the financing of higher education in Australia is handled. The models are: (1) discipline-based model; (2) fee-deregulation; (3) flat rate learning entitlements; and (4) variable rate learning entitlements. Research funding within higher education is also discussed. The report also looks at diversification of funding sources for higher education institutions. Examples are: funding by the state governments; commercialisation of research; international students; and philanthrophy. Show less

This Agreement represents shared priorities between the Australian and state and territory governments in partnership with business and industry for vocational and technical education in Australia. It reinforces the commitment of these governments to support the implementation of new national training arrangements from 1 July 2005. This Agreement also demonstrates their commitment to work collaboratively in areas of national priority that support the long-term objectives for the training system as set out in Shaping Our Future, Australia's National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 2004-2010 [available in VOCEDplus at TD/LMR 85.685]. The Agreement is being tabled in accordance with requirements of the Skilling Australia's Workforce Act 2005 [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 83.246]. Included with the Agreement is the Framework for the New National Training System. The Framework has been agreed between governments and was developed following consultation with business and industry as well as other stakeholders and sets out arrangements for the operation of a national approach to training.

'Skilling Australia's Workforce 2005-08' mid-term review is available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 93.121. Show less