Search Results | VOCEDplus, the international tertiary education and research database

On the right trac

TRAC (Training for Retail and Commerce) is a work experience scheme set up by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum, which re ... Show more
TRAC (Training for Retail and Commerce) is a work experience scheme set up by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum, which requires employers to pay for their placement students, and also requires them to assess students formally for Higher School Certificate (HSC) marks. Although the project began in the retail trade, office administration, hospitality, and communication and media strands are now offered. This article describes the scheme, and its successful outcomes. Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica

Date: 1994

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia; New South Wales

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Australian training review

Subjects: Secondary education; Industry; Research ... [+] Show more
Vocational education and training in schools in Australia: what are the consequences of moving from margins to mainstream?

This article is a critical review of policy and literature relating to vocational education and training (VET) in s ... Show more
This article is a critical review of policy and literature relating to vocational education and training (VET) in schools in Australia. Over the past decade in Australia, VET in schools has grown considerably so that not only are nearly half of senior school students now involved, but also VET in schools represents around 10% of total VET activity. In both schools and the VET sector itself, VET in schools was originally marginalised and this article explores its movement from the margins towards the mainstream in both spheres. An overview of the growth of VET in schools in Australia, along with other vocational developments in schools, is given, along with discussion of some of the benefits and challenges of VET in schools, both from a schooling perspective and from a national skills formation perspective. The consequences of the move from margins to mainstream have not yet been fully digested and debate rarely moves beyond consideration of implications for the school sector. The article moves beyond these narrow confines to raise broader questions for the VET sector.
Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica

Date: 2005

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Journal of vocational education and training

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Research; Policy ... [+] Show more
From training reform to training packages

This book is an updated version of 'Making sense of training reform and competency-based training' [available in VO ... Show more
This book is an updated version of 'Making sense of training reform and competency-based training' [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 54.08], which was published in 1997 by the same authors and was intended to explain the vocational education and training (VET) sector to those involved in it, or about to enter it, as practitioners.
The book examines the growth and change in the VET sector in terms of a number of tensions, including the interests of government and the interests of industry, the interests of the Commonwealth Government and those of the states, the interests of individuals and those of industry and the interests of industry and those of organised labour. It facilitates understanding of the VET sector by describing the complex issues of training reforms and the nature of VET curriculum in simple terms.
Part one of the book provides an overview of the evolution of VET in Australia, the reasons why large scale reform of the system was undertaken and a description of the major features of the VET system, including the most recent changes. Part two focuses on curriculum issues: the nature of competency based training and the way in which training packages are developed and delivered. In part three the implications of VET policy and VET curriculum for teachers and trainers are considered. Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica; Keating, Jack

Date: 2003

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Assessment; Pathways; Teaching and learning ... [+] Show more
On the right TRAC: employers' views of a schools-industry partnership

TRAC (Training for Retail and Commerce) was established by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum. It is an employer-school pr ... Show more
TRAC (Training for Retail and Commerce) was established by the Dusseldorp Skills Forum. It is an employer-school program which requires employers to pay for their placement students and to assess students for Higher School Certificate (HSC) marks.
Erica Smith explores the reasons behind the dramatic success of the program including its professional approach, the focus on improving skills, not job-seeking, the liaison between schools and industry and the criteria used for selecting students. Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica

Date: 1994

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia; New South Wales

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Training agenda: a journal of vocational education and training

Subjects: Secondary education; Industry; Research ... [+] Show more
Best of 2020: highlights from Seasons 4 and 5

In 2020, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) invited expert vocational voices from the vo ... Show more
In 2020, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) invited expert vocational voices from the vocational education and training (VET) sector to share their views, stories, experiences and insights on a range of hot topics. This podcast is a roundup of interesting snippets and research findings from across the eight podcast episodes released during the year. Full of short and sharp insights from each of the guest speakers, it covers off some of the best bits of Seasons 4 and 5.
Edited abstract from publisher's website. Show less

Authors: Davis, Steve; Walker, Simon; Griffin, Tabatha; Shreeve, Robin ... [+] Show more

Date: 2020

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Webinar or podcast

Series name: Vocational voices

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Providers of education and training; Skills and knowledge ... [+] Show more
Self paced learning: a student perspective

Self paced learning (SPL), an alternative to face-to-face teaching, seen as being advantageous to students and thei ... Show more
Self paced learning (SPL), an alternative to face-to-face teaching, seen as being advantageous to students and their employers as well as being less-resource intensive, is becoming an increasingly common method of teaching in vocational education and training (VET). This article looks at SPL from a student viewpoint and is based on qualitative research examining experiences of SPL in Office Administration subjects of students from a non English speaking background or who have no regular access to computers. The paper provides information on the participants’ impressions of SPL, the advantages of SPL and the challenges experienced by the students. The findings indicate that although the majority of students showed enthusiasm for this mode of study, many students find this type of learning difficult. This was because of the inability of teachers to give adequate individual support and the lack of suitable preparation courses for students entering SPL for the first time. The authors suggest that these issues can be addressed by injecting further resources but that this would make SPL less attractive to VET providers who see it as a cost effective method of training. Show less

Authors: Inkson, Donna; Smith, Erica

Date: 2001

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Australian educational researcher

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Students; Language ... [+] Show more
Landmarks in the Australian apprenticeship and traineeship system

The VOCEDplus landmark documents are key documents considered by history and authoritative commentary to have influ ... Show more
The VOCEDplus landmark documents are key documents considered by history and authoritative commentary to have influenced the development of the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system, providing vision and/or leading to significant change. This paper is part of a series of overviews that analyse and describe how these landmark documents impacted on the development of various aspects of Australia's VET sector.
The paper focuses on the influence of four significant and central landmark reports on the development of the apprenticeship system in Australia, along with a consideration of the important role played by two later reports that extend past the landmarks document timeline, included because of their significance and specific focus on apprenticeships. Three key themes relating to the apprenticeship system are explored with reference to these six core reports: (1) system size; (2) gender participation in the system; and (3) the key concerns of the reports. A brief overview of a further six landmark documents with a secondary emphasis on apprenticeships rounds out this overview. The following landmark documents are examined: Commonwealth-State Apprenticeship Inquiry [Wright report] (available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 119.1095); Education, training and employment: report of the Committee of Inquiry into Education and Training [Williams report] (TD/LMR 85.677); Report of the Committee of Inquiry into Labour Market Programs [Kirby report] (TD/LMR 85.649); Report of the Review of the ANTA Agreement (TD/LMR 85.652); The employment of apprentices: the barriers [Marshman report] (TD/LMR 85.655); Skills training for the 21st century: a report on skills training: apprenticeships and traineeships (TD/LMR 85.661); The Australian Vocational Certificate Training System [Carmichael report] (TD/LMR 85.646); Creating a future direction for Australian vocational education and training: a discussion paper on the future of the VET system (TD/LMR 102.715). The two later, significant reports examined are: Apprenticeships Reform Advisory Group: recommendation report (TD/TNC 125.117); A shared responsibility: apprenticeships for the 21st century: final report of the Expert Panel (TD/TNC 103.740). Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica

Date: 2022

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: VET Knowledge Bank: landmark documents historical overview

Subjects: Apprenticeship; Traineeship; Governance ... [+] Show more
Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships

This research paper has been produced as part of the ILO project, Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelon ... Show more
This research paper has been produced as part of the ILO project, Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT), funded by the Government of Flanders. The ADULT project aims to explore how apprenticeship systems are being modernised and transformed to promote and enable lifelong learning and decent work for youth, adults, and older workers (both employed and unemployed). This research paper examines the attractiveness and potential attractiveness of apprenticeships to those who might seek to undertake one. This study is confined to formal apprenticeships, that is those which are overseen by governments and/other bodies. It considers apprenticeship as an option for adults as well as young people. It provides examples from across the world, from low-, medium- and high-income countries. The focus is on attractiveness to individuals rather than the attractiveness to employers of engaging with the apprenticeship system.
The paper explores reasons why apprenticeships are sometimes regarded as unattractive or low status career choices. It also highlights the experiences and lessons learned from the initiatives taken by various countries in improving the attractiveness of apprenticeships. These include structural changes and enhancements to apprenticeship programs, as well as better promotion of apprenticeships to potential apprentices and those who advise them.
Edited excerpts from publication. Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica

Date: 2022

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania; South Africa ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training project

Subjects: Apprenticeship; Pathways; Governance ... [+] Show more
Figures in a new landscape: the experiences of workers and learners in a new VET system

In this paper, the author begins from the premise that Australian vocational education and training (VET) has under ... Show more
In this paper, the author begins from the premise that Australian vocational education and training (VET) has undergone considerable and rapid change since the late 1980s. The paper draws on research carried out by the author over the last five years, beginning by briefly describing the changes in Australian VET. In particular, the paper looks at the experiences of participants in the VET sector who are under 30 years of age and thus were not participants in the 'old' system.
The three volumes of conference proceedings are indexed from TD/TNC 72.49 to TD/TNC 72.51; selected papers are indexed from TD/TNC 72.08 to TD/TNC 72.11 and TD/TNC 72.52 to TD/TNC 72.100. Show less

Authors: Smith, Erica

Conference name: International Conference on Post-Compulsory Education and Training

Date: 2002

Resource type: Conference paper

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Students; Governance ... [+] Show more
The changing role of staff development for teachers and trainers in vocational education and training

This study explored the changing role of staff development for vocational education and training (VET) teachers and ... Show more
This study explored the changing role of staff development for vocational education and training (VET) teachers and trainers in Australian public and private registered training organisations (RTOs). Substantial reforms in the VET sector over the past decade have had considerable impact on the work of teachers and trainers. In this context of rapid change, the nature, direction, delivery, access and funding responsibility of staff development are undergoing transformation. The purpose of the research, therefore, was to examine current staff development provisions, research a range of issues relating to the staff development of VET teachers and trainers and make recommendations in the light of the new education and training environment. Show less

Authors: Harris, Roger; Simons, Michele; Hill, Doug; Smith, Erica ... [+] Show more

Date: 2001

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Workforce development; Governance ... [+] Show more