This paper describes the genesis and development of research in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia over the 40 years from the mid-1970s through to the present, a period of significant and dynamic change in the VET landscape of this country. It traces the origins of research from the watershed Kangan Committee report of 1974 through to the present national program of research. Finally, there is a discussion on the future of VET research in Australia which identifies some of the challenges facing research in the system going forward. The resource draws heavily from an...  [+] Show more

This paper describes the genesis and development of research in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia over the 40 years from the mid-1970s through to the present, a period of significant and dynamic change in the VET landscape of this country. It traces the origins of research from the watershed Kangan Committee report of 1974 through to the present national program of research. Finally, there is a discussion on the future of VET research in Australia which identifies some of the challenges facing research in the system going forward. The resource draws heavily from an original article written by the authors for the UNESCO Handbook of technical and vocational education and training research [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 120.459] - but it has been considerably updated for presentation here.

Authors' abstract.