Research in the Australian vocational education and training sector: where to?

This paper argues that there needs to be a significant increase in the volume of research undertaken in the vocational and training sector in Australia. It points to: the need for the establishment of more focal points for such research; the requirement for enhanced levels of research funding for the sector; the need to improve the quality of research and link it more closely with educational development activities; and the lack of an overall research culture and ethos in the sector. The author proposes a number of suggestions that can be used as a basis for the development of a...  [+] Show more

This paper argues that there needs to be a significant increase in the volume of research undertaken in the vocational and training sector in Australia. It points to: the need for the establishment of more focal points for such research; the requirement for enhanced levels of research funding for the sector; the need to improve the quality of research and link it more closely with educational development activities; and the lack of an overall research culture and ethos in the sector.

The author proposes a number of suggestions that can be used as a basis for the development of a comprehensive research strategy for the sector. Failure to re-organise the research effort and structures in a more focused and efficient manner, and to provide appropriate funding, will result in poorly informed decisions, potential resource wastage and an overall poorer educational performance across the sector.