A study into the assessment and reporting of employability skills of senior secondary students

In order to investigate the most effective ways of assessing and reporting on the employability skills of senior secondary students, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to produce this report. The main activity was to evaluate options for assessing and reporting on eight employability skills (communication; teamwork; problem-solving; initiative and enterprise; planning and organising; self-management; learning; and technological aptitude) against five criteria (validity, reliability,...  [+] Show more

In order to investigate the most effective ways of assessing and reporting on the employability skills of senior secondary students, the Commonwealth Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) commissioned the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to produce this report. The main activity was to evaluate options for assessing and reporting on eight employability skills (communication; teamwork; problem-solving; initiative and enterprise; planning and organising; self-management; learning; and technological aptitude) against five criteria (validity, reliability, objectivity, feasibility, and usability) and to recommend a preferred approach. The report highlights six approaches through which senior secondary students’ achievement of employability skills can be assessed and reported. The report noted that the inclusion of employability skills in student learning ensures a more effective and efficient transition for students from schooling to the workforce.