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In this introduction the editors reflect on the extent to which the proceedings addressed the conference theme. The influence and impact of vocational education and training (VET) research is examined as are the economic and policy influences on the research itself. Critical comments are made on the nature of VET research, the context of such research and the economic and policy influences.

The volume of collected proceedings is indexed at TD/TNC 57.76; individual papers are indexed from TD/TNC 57.77 to TD/TNC 57.122. Show less

Proceedings of the first national conference of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association contains the following papers:Editorial introduction: emerging interests in VET research. / John McIntyre, Mary Barrett; Opening Address: the importance of VET research influencing policy and practice. / Chris Ellison; Presidential address. / Leo Maglen; An overview of Australian vocational education and training research. / Chris Robinson; The impact of research on VET policy, practice and performance. / Chris Selby Smith, Joy Selby Smith; The use and influence of research in vocational education and training. / Rod McDonald; Forging a convergence amongst imperatives for vocational education and training. / John Stevenson; Conference dinner address. / Gregor Ramsey; Drowning not waving: equity target groups in the marketplace. / Veronica Volkoff, Barry Golding; Demographic factors influencing the likelihood of success in vocational education and training. / Katrina Ball; Women training for transitions: a qualitative study of businesswomen’s experiences of VET. / Mary Barrett; What’s different away from the rat race? Issues for VET in non-metropolitan Australia. / Sue Kilpatrick, Rowena Bell; Teaching and learning needs: moving between practice & policy in VET. / Stephen Crump, Tony Anderson; VET research through partnerships with stakeholders. / John Henry, Allan Arnott; Employers’ perceptions of how well the VET system serves the training needs of their industries. / Mark Werner; Industry and academia: building networks and alliances. / Graham Weaver; Evaluating the contribution of competency-based training: perspectives from stakeholders. / Dianne Mulcahy, Pauline James; Enterprise-based research and organisational development in VET providers: patterns and possibilities. / Terri Seddon; Unravelling independent provision for occupational learning in the Hunter region 1900-1990. / Ray Barker, Allyson Holbrook; Mapping teachers’ work, charting new futures. / Peter Kell, Jo Balatti, Angela Hill, Sandy Muspratt, John Blakely; Professional development in VET: how significant is it in today’s policy context? / Michele Simons, Roger Harris; Learning to change, changing to learn: stages of concern in the implementation of competency-based training. / Erica Smith, Doug Hill, Janene Lobegeier; Issues and challenges in consortia-based delivery of professional development for VET in schools. / Kevin Ward, Pam St.Leger, David Beckett, Graeme Harper; Reviewing the competency standards for assessment and workplace trainers. / Shelley Gillis, Patrick Griffin, Ian Falk, Ralph Catts; Analysis of training needs: a case study of the crime prevention ‘industry’ in Australia. / Roger Harris, Frank Wyatt; Internet-based training: do students like it as much as trainers think they should? / Greg Webb; Getting the message out: disseminating the products of the national managed research and evaluation program. / Hugh Guthrie; What do we mean ‘research influences policy’? / John McIntyre; The convergence of vocational and adult education in learning communities. / Ian Falk; A failure in imagination: towards a critical review of VET sector orthodoxy. / Merrilyn Childs, Regine Wagner; From the billabong to the mainstream? Australian training and literacy policy developments from 1974-1998. / Peter Kell; Policy issues related to flexible modes of delivery of VET. / Richard Cummings; Informing policy and practice at the micro level. / Berwyn Clayton, Robyn House; VET policy and research: emerging issues and changing relationships. / Stephen Billett; Learning, workplaces and public policy. / Geof Hawke; Recognition of informal learning: challenges and issues. / Paul Hager; Workplace based training in small business enterprises: an employer survey. / Ian Robertson; Do skills transfer? an empirical study. / Josie Misko; Emerging truths in public sector training. / Maire Sheehan; What about the workers?: Informal learning in workplace change. / Griff Foley; Organisational models for change implementation. / Graeme Harper; Workplace based learning degrees: critical questions for research. / John Garrick, Denise Kirkpatrick; User choice in markets at risk. / Charles Noble, Doug Hill, Erica Smith, Andrew Smith; Vocational education and training policy and sustainability. / Jitka Mulqueeny; VET and productivity: some possible lessons for Australia. / Leo Maglen, Sonnie Hopkins; Impact and consequences of markets in VET: research evidence, issues and dilemmas. / Damon Anderson. Individual papers are indexed from TD/TNC 57.77 to TD/TNC 57.122. Show less

This paper provides an overview of the evolution of the apprenticeship system in a country which provides large-scale employer-provided training for new entrants on the labour market. Several institutional traits of the Danish labour market help sustain the system by alleviating failures in the market for training. The paper reviews these institutional traits, including the role of unions and public policy. In order to uphold the system, apprentice employment is subsidised, financed by levies on all firms. Such a scheme is considered in the theoretical literature as a means for overcoming the failure of markets to provide sufficient incentives to training. The paper contains an empirical analysis of the impact of subsidies to employ apprentices.

Published abstract. Show less

Training has in recent years become one of the most salient issues in British politics. From the 'enterprise' culture of the Thatcher years emerged the new concept of the training market, and the recent establishment of the Training and Enterprise Councils (TECs). These development are at the centre of the debate between market- and state-led approaches to training.

Drawing on the theoretical methodology of major policy analysts and political scientists, this book sets the current debate in the context of changing initiatives over the past thirty years. The author explains the policy processes and ideological assumptions underpinning recent innovations, and offers a searching and up-to-date analysis of the outcomes of both the TEC and and training voucher experiments. Finally the author provides some reflections on the new 'hybrid' political forms produced by recent training policy. Show less

In October 1992 the Prime Minister invited the Committee to undertake an independent inquiry into a national competition policy, following the agreement by Australian Governments on the need for such a policy. This report of the inquiry reflects written submissions from nearly 150 organisations and individuals from around Australia as well as consultations with senior representatives of all Australian Governments and many industry, professional, trade union, consumer and other organisations. The inquiry found strong and widespread community support for implementing an effective national competition policy. There is a significant awareness of the opportunities such a policy offers Australia to improve international competitiveness and hence living standards. Contents: Towards a national competition policy; Part one, 'Competitive conduct rules': Overview of competitive conduct rules; Anti-competitive agreements; Misuse of market power, mergers and other rules; Scope of application: principles and issues; Scope of application: review by sectors and activity; Enforcement; Part two, 'Additional policy elements': Overview of additional policy elements; Regulatory restrictions on competition; Structural reform of public monopolies; Access to 'essential facilities'; Monopoly pricing; Competitive neutrality; Part three, 'Implementation': Institutional arrangements; Legal, transitional and resource issues. Show less

Three decades of policy development and change has significantly altered the operation of the New Zealand tertiary education sector. Rather than policy that supports the important autonomous characteristics of tertiary education, successive governments have put in place policy levers focused on disciplining what is seen as an 'unruly' subject - the tertiary education sector and in particular its staff. The policy approaches of successive governments have imposed a market-led framework on tertiary education; have created a single 'tertiary education sector'; and, have heightened the government's 'strategic steering' of the sector. The result is that the primary focus of the tertiary education sector has moved from that of broad-based social, human, scientific, and economic progress, to the much narrower goal of economic advancement. [The authors] argue the changes experienced have been detrimental to the sector and the nation. By examining the major policy trends since the mid-1980s [the authors] aim to contribute to the current understanding of how the 'rules of the game' have shaped the nation's tertiary education system, and propose a change of direction for the sector.

Published introduction. Show less

Many advanced market democracies pursue social justice by bundling together a range of programmes represented as active social policy. Northern European exemplars sanction employment as an economic and social citizen's civic obligation, promote lifelong learning and place welfare payments as a last resort. In the United States, market-based post-school education financed by guaranteed student loans was developed as a policy alternative. Australian politicians have embraced elements of both, resulting in a massive reduction in public delivery of vocational education and training in favour of multimillion dollar, stock exchange-listed private providers. The resultant amalgam of active labour market policy and free market principles positions standard setting as a regulatory mechanism and in support of cross-jurisdictional market operations. This paper explores the interaction between active policy and demands of the market while speaking to wider issues that arise when a government first creates and then intervenes in markets.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner. Show less

This article discusses the Hilmer report (indexed at TD/TNC 87.2365) and its impact on TAFE. It looks at the Working Party set up by the VET Ministers to look at the possible impact of the Competition Policy Reform Bill, which is intended to give effect to the Hilmer principles. Show less

This article looks at private training providers and government policy. See also the full publication 'Blurring the boundaries: TAFE and commercial colleges in the open training market' at TD/TNC 38.03. Show less

This is the first of a new series designed to encourage informed discussion on essential issues in vocational education and training in Australia. This paper considers market forces and their effects on vocational education. The author looks at the current economic approach to vocational education and training (VET) policy, the elements of market-based policy, the politics and economics of training markets, issues in implementing the training market and strategic directions.

He finds that there is an extensive market in vocational education and training and that market-based policy initiatives are certain to increase. He asserts that there is a need for greater policy creativity in VET, in addition to policy initiatives related to the traini g market. A more complex and rewarding focus may be discussion of VET as an element of formal education in Australia and particularly the future integration of school, vocational and university education. Show less