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This eight page booklet offers a brief summary of the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) research report ‘Qualitative impact of training packages on vocational education and training clients’ (indexed at TD/ANTA 82.163). Show less

This document reviews the progress of the national strategy for vocational education and training (VET) for Indigenous Australians, 'Partners in a learning culture' (indexed at TD/TNC 63.292) and its blueprint for implementation (indexed at TD/TNC 62.913). It provides future direction in light of changes to the national VET context and the findings of the mid-term review of 'Partners in a learning culture' (phase one and two reports indexed at TD/ANTA 80.03 and TD/TNC 80.04). It briefly outlines the four objectives of the strategy and the recommendations of the mid-term review. The rest of the report presents the six new priorities, based on the key findings of the review, that will be added to the original objectives for the remainder of the blueprint: building the capacity of the VET sector; creating more pathways; improving funding frameworks; culturally appropriate product development, design and delivery; links to employment; and growing VET sector partnerships. The report also features brief case studies of successful initiatives and their connections to the new priorities. It concludes by highlighting: work undertaken within the 'National research strategy for Indigenous Australians in VET 2003-2006' (indexed at TD/TNC 78.10), which conducts national research projects linked to the blueprint objectives; the inclusion of a national objective in 'Shaping the future: Australia's national strategy for vocational education and training 2004-1010' (indexed at TD/ANTA 73.11) to provide Indigenous Australians with skills for viable jobs and to share their learning culture; and the role of the Australian Indigenous Training Advisory Council (AITAC) in overseeing the implementation of 'Partners in a learning culture'. Show less

Australia's tertiary education sector comprises higher (university) education and vocational education and training (VET). The purpose of this paper is to contrast the two sectors in terms of the way they are defined, their size and recent growth, the characteristics of their student bodies and access and equity within the two sectors. The paper also considers the links between the two sectors.

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

In this nine minute interview, Steve Davis talks with Tom Karmel about the report 'Attrition in the trades' [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 104.36]. This report investigates attrition in the trades by comparing the rate at which tradespeople leave their occupation with that of professionals. It also determines whether attrition is influenced by economic conditions, and if a trade can provide a good start to a career in the professions. The report concludes that attrition in the trades is no higher than in the professions; the rate of leaving particular occupations may vary, but overall the results between the two are very similar. The economic climate also makes little difference to the attrition rate.

Published abstract. Show less

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the basis in analysis and thought of the Australian National Training Authority's (ANTA's) Board's proposal that Australia work towards making participation in post secondary education and training a universal experience. This paper has been developed to provide in greater detail information and arguments to support some of the conclusions and directions outlined in the National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1998-2003 (indexed at TD/TNC 85.683). It examines: The links between education and training (E & T), and economic growth and competitiveness of nations, firms and employees; Australian industry's requirements for skilled people; How Australia measures up in international terms; International policy directions in E & T and Vocational Education Training (VET) in particular; and A proposed integrated policy approach to VET for Australia. The paper concludes that: A number of studies have suggested that E & T attainment of qualifications is an important determinant of productivity and competitiveness, including at the national level as well as the firm and individual levels; The demand for skilled people with VET qualifications from Australian industry appears to be higher than the rate of supply of skilled people with VET qualifications; Australia's adult population is poorly qualified by international standards and the gap appears to be widening; Australia's mix of academic, vocational and basic general skills, including literacy, is not in balance with emerging needs: our level of vocational and basic general skills is particularly low; Leading economies are developing VET as a central plank in their package of E & T reform to meet the challenges of the new economy; and Australia needs to take action to at least maintain and then bridge E & T gaps which will require a major contribution from the VET sector (and also schools) to increase the VET qualifications gained by young persons, a focus by the VET system also on the existing workforce to further boost the recognised skills of older workers and reduce the qualifications gap between younger and older workers, and an overarching commitment by States to work with industry to ensure VET delivered through national training reform adds value and optimises the work skills results. Show less

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

In late 2008, NCVER commissioned six people to write essays about competition in the Australian training market. Most were from outside the vocational education and training (VET) sector. In order to ensure their ideas were tied into current concerns within VET, NCVER went on to invite six insiders to respond to the essays. The results from both groups are contained in this volume. It should be noted that the participants in this exercise do not entirely agree with each other. But there is general acknowledgement that the risks associated with the state determining the supply and demand for training mean that governments cannot retreat from the training market. However, the role of the state, relative to that of individuals and employers, remains contentious. Papers and their responses include: Markets and central planning in meeting labour market needs: lessons from higher education / Andrew Norton, discussant: Leslie Loble; A market for vocational education and training in the Australian Federation / Mark Burford, discussant: Pat Forward; Competition policy and the VET sector / Richard Denniss, discussant: Megan Kirchner; Contestability, information asymmetry and quality signals in a competitive training market / Terri Seddon, discussant: Robyn Tudor; Improving information flows for users of post-secondary education / Nicholas Gruen, discussant: Gerald Burke; Possible governance structures and autonomy of TAFE institutes / V. Lynn Meek; discussant: Michael Keating. Show less

This report offers a desk analysis of the automotive industry training package, in particular the documentation, to identify the extent to which the package redevelopment takes account of equity considerations. It is noted that there is no mention of equity considerations in the package, and this needs to be addressed. Show less

Using a 'life tables' approach for recently commencing apprentices and trainees, this technical paper provides information on the methodology used to estimate completion and attrition rates.

Published abstract.

The related publication 'Apprentice and trainee statistics: estimation of contract completion and attrition rates' is available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 104.08. Show less

This project was established to provide advice to the Enterprise and Training Provider Working Group of the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) Board about models of intermediary services provided by registered training organisations (RTOs) to enterprises. In the report, intermediary services are defined as those services provided by RTOs in addition to training and assessment services. The project methodology involved reviewing available research on intermediary services, consulting with key stakeholders through a national survey and focus groups, and identifying and developing case studies to illustrate intermediary services. Show less