National Centre for Vocational Education Research 2005-2006 annual report

The mission of the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) is to be Australia's leading provider of quality, independent information relating to vocational education and training (VET) to governments, the sector, industry and the community. Its vision is for policy and practice in VET to be based on sound evidence. NCVER's work during this period took place against a backdrop of significant change in Australia's VET system as administrative responsibilities formerly undertaken by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) were transferred to the Australian Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). In late 2005, the Minister for Vocational and Technical Education, the Hon. Gary Hardgrave MP, announced the review of two major contracts managed by NCVER: the contracts for the national program of VET statistics and the national program of competitive research grants. The report of the review [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 86.660] was released in April 2006. Key highlights for the year included: publishing, for the first time, individual TAFE institute data covering student and course characteristics, and student attainment, satisfaction and employment outcomes; widening the scope of the Student Outcomes Survey to encompass private and community education providers and fee-for-service students from TAFE institutes; launching the redeveloped VOCED website; becoming the national repository on adult literacy and for publications associated with the Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) Programme and the National Adult Literacy Project (NALP); and commencing a systematic review on small business. Show less