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Learning from successful skills development systems: lessons from Australia

This article describes the main institutional features of Australia's [technical and vocational education and train... Show more
This article describes the main institutional features of Australia's [technical and vocational education and training] TVET sector, focussing particularly on the qualifications framework, how it relates to the labour market, and the role of industry. It also looks briefly at two current policy challenges for Australia. Seeking lessons for other countries in the Asia Pacific region, it discusses the importance of context, particularly the size and structure of the economy, and notes that TVET can be judged to be effective as an investment if it leads to employment and better-paying jobs.
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Authors: Karmel, Tom

Date: 2014

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania; Asia

Resource type: Article

Journal title: Prospects: quarterly review of comparative education

Subjects: Providers of education and training; Vocational education and training; Qualifications ... [+] Show more
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Interview with Tom Karmel, Erica Smith and Damian Oliver on 'Insights from research into apprenticeships'

In this 30 minute podcast, Steve Davis talks with Tom Karmel, Erica Smith and Damian Oliver on insights from resear... Show more
In this 30 minute podcast, Steve Davis talks with Tom Karmel, Erica Smith and Damian Oliver on insights from research into apprenticeships. Interested in the story behind the numbers, Tom discusses the findings from his work on individual completion rates that show occupation and employers' size matters, with the implication being that the relationship between employer and apprentice is critical. Erica talks about the all too often unspoken expectations of apprentices and employers: the psychological contract. She finds that writing down these expectations at the start of an apprenticeship does help all parties. Damian examines whether pre-apprenticeship programs deliver on their promise of improved retention rates and finds their impact varies by occupation and prior education level. Implications for policy-makers and training providers are drawn out throughout the podcast. Show less

Authors: Karmel, Tom; Smith, Erica; Oliver, Damian; Davis, Steve

Date: 2011

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Webinar or podcast

Subjects: Research; Apprenticeship; Statistics ... [+] Show more
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Will we run out of young men?: implications of the ageing of the population for the trades in Australia

The ageing society has been attracting the attention of policy makers in Australia and in many other countries. Thi... Show more
The ageing society has been attracting the attention of policy makers in Australia and in many other countries. This paper considers the labour market for the traditional trades in Australia over the next 40 years and investigates whether the ageing society will pose a workforce problem. The broad conclusion is that the ageing society will significantly impact on the size of the potential trades workforce, but that this is unlikely to result in shortages. Rather, any shortage is more likely to occur if the trades lose their attractiveness relative to other occupations. Moreover, the age distribution of the trades workforce will remain largely unaltered. Show less

Authors: Karmel, Tom; Ong, Koon

Date: 2007

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Workforce development; Policy; Skills and knowledge ... [+] Show more
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The likelihood of completing a VET qualification: a model-based approach

This paper estimates the completion rate of VET course enrolments with a mathematical modelling approach in order t... Show more
This paper estimates the completion rate of VET course enrolments with a mathematical modelling approach in order to fill a gap in performance measures for the sector. The technique used is to track all VET course enrolments within a three-year window, centred on the year of interest. Then, using an absorbing Markov chain model for a VET course enrolment, to estimate the proportion of VET course enrolments commencing in the year of interest that will eventually be completed. This approach allows an estimate of the completion rate without the necessity to track course enrolments longitudinally over a long period of time. Course enrolments at certificate III level had the highest rate of completion at 33.5 per cent compared with other qualification levels. One of the distinctive characteristics of the VET sector is that many students wish to learn specific skills and have no intention of completing a full qualification. For these students a more sensible measure of success is the proportion of modules passed (the load pass rate). Overall, the load pass rate of 2005 enrolments was 79.1 per cent. Show less

Authors: Mark, Kevin; Karmel, Tom

Date: 2010

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Skills and knowledge; Qualifications ... [+] Show more
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Training reform and has it benefited women

Over the last decade substantial resources have been devoted to reform of the Australian vocational education and t... Show more
Over the last decade substantial resources have been devoted to reform of the Australian vocational education and training system. This document contains print out of slides of a Powerpoint presentation looking at factors which may be influenced in order to increase the participation of women in vocational education and training (VET). Show less

Authors: MacDonald, Gillian

Corporate authors: Australia. Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. Vocational Employment, Education and Training Women's Taskforce

Conference name: Training tomorrow - what women want: national seminar

Date: 1998

Resource type: Conference paper

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Participation; Gender
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What about diplomas?

In this paper, we put diplomas under the microscope, and look at what they are, who does them, how numbers are tren... Show more
In this paper, we put diplomas under the microscope, and look at what they are, who does them, how numbers are trending, and how outcomes have fared. Diplomas have an important role as the highest level of qualification offered in [vocational education and training] VET. They are a very diverse group of qualifications and the student body is also diverse, covering all age groups and all educational backgrounds - from not having completed year 12 to already having a diploma or higher qualification, however the provision of government funded diplomas has declined very significantly. If we exclude health and education, the number of commencements has declined by around 50 per cent between 2004 and 2020. We will attempt to provide an explanation of these very significant changes. The most obvious one is that higher education has expanded at VET's expense, and in many fields the higher education expansion is mirrored by VET contraction.
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Authors: Karmel, Tom

Date: 2022

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Qualifications; Students ... [+] Show more
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The impact of schools on young people's transition to university

This report uses Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data to look at the impact of schools on a student... Show more
This report uses Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data to look at the impact of schools on a student's tertiary entrance rank (TER) and the probability of them going to university (controlling for TER). It shows that the characteristics of schools do matter: although young people's individual characteristics are the main drivers of success, school attributes are also responsible for almost 20 per cent of the variation in TER scores. The three most important school attributes for TER include sector (Catholic and independent/government); gender mix (single sex/co-educational) and the extent to which a school is 'academic'. The socioeconomic status of schools didn't emerge as a significant influence on TER. For the probability of going to university, after controlling for TER, the most significant school characteristics include the proportion on non-English speaking background students; the sector; and the socioeconomic make-up of the student body.
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Authors: Gemici, Sinan; Lim, Patrick; Karmel, Tom

Date: 2013

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: LSAY research report

Subjects: Students; Youth; Secondary education ... [+] Show more
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A fresh look: strategies to increase the participation of women in non-traditional and emerging industries

This paper reports on a project funded by the Women's Research and Employment Initiatives Program (WREIP), Departme... Show more
This paper reports on a project funded by the Women's Research and Employment Initiatives Program (WREIP), Department of Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DEETYA) and conducted by the National Centre for Women at Swinburne Institute of Technology. The purpose of the project was to make recommendations based on the following brief: In view of current and past strategies not having achieved optimal results, what long term strategies should be attempted to achieve a greater participation of young women in apprenticeships and traineeships, especially in non-traditional and emerging fields. Wide-ranging consultations, in depth interviews and an extensive review of existing literature, policy reports and promotional materials are reported, and findings discussed. Show less

Authors: McKernan, Helen; Harris, Ros

Corporate authors: Australia. Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. Vocational Employment, Education and Training Women's Taskforce

Conference name: Training tomorrow - what works for women: national seminar

Date: 1998

Resource type: Conference paper

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Apprenticeship; Participation ... [+] Show more
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Reimagining the tertiary education system

Is the time right for change and 'to be bold and think big, and challenge the way we think about tertiary education... Show more
Is the time right for change and 'to be bold and think big, and challenge the way we think about tertiary education' in Australia? In this episode, we explore potential reforms to universities, their missions, and structures, while considering the role of [vocational education and training] VET. One perspective suggests establishing two types of universities: one focused on practical, hands-on learning for professional skills, and the other dedicated to research and comprehensive education.
Tom Karmel argues that higher education is more than just theoretical knowledge - it's inherently vocational, preparing students for their chosen professions. He sees a lot of what the VET sector is teaching is generic skills which can be transferred to a wider range of jobs. Tom proposes the idea of a 'professional university' that offers qualifications from certificates to degrees, focusing on practical education and strong connections to the job market. Jenny Dodd agrees with many of Tom's ideas for creating a more integrated tertiary education system but raises concerns about the term 'professional university'. Simon Walker supports the need for an integrated model that allows students to build on their learning across various qualifications. He sees potential benefits in such a system, particularly in promoting equity and supporting disadvantaged students.
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Authors: Davis, Steve; Walker, Simon; Karmel, Tom; Dodd, Jenny

Date: 2023

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Webinar or podcast

Series name: Vocational voices

Subjects: Tertiary education; Higher education; Vocational education and training ... [+] Show more
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Packaging training for gender equity

This paper offers a broad overview of a project entitled 'Packaging Training for Gender Equity' the focus of which ... Show more
This paper offers a broad overview of a project entitled 'Packaging Training for Gender Equity' the focus of which was to devise strategies for achieving sustainable levels of growth in women's access and participation in the light of current policy and changes in vocational education and training (VET). The project was commissioned by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) under the National Women's VET Strategy at the request of the Vocational Employment, Education and Training (VEET) Women's Taskforce. Issues emerging from the project are discussed and future research suggested. Show less

Authors: Currey, Christine

Corporate authors: Australia. Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs. Vocational Employment, Education and Training Women's Taskforce

Conference name: Training tomorrow - what works for women: national seminar

Date: 1998

Resource type: Conference paper

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Participation; Equity ... [+] Show more

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