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Ensuring all Australians have equal access to education has been a key driver of state and federal governments since the late 1980s. 'Lifting' skills of individuals through education, training and employment is an integral focus of public policies to redress disadvantage and improve social inclusion. Using Australian and international research, this 'At a glance' explores how the vocational education and training (VET) system responds to and fosters the social inclusion policy agenda. It finds that, overall, the data from 2006 to 2010 indicate an increase in the proportion of students from disadvantaged groups participating in and completing their training, and there is evidence that the training experience can be a useful stepping stone towards participation in the community and labour market. However, the key messages from this paper indicate there remain some entrenched problems to overcome in achieving an inclusive Australia, and considers some of the challenges and successful practices. Show less

This publication explores adult literacy and numeracy, drawing on major insights from a wide body of recent research commissioned by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) and funded by the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). It is suggested that while approaches differ from country to country, there is an increasing focus internationally on adult literacy and numeracy as a foundational requirement of economic development and social cohesion. So while adult language and literacy policy is placing increased emphasis on the requirements of individuals, particularly of workers in a changing work environment, it also needs to take account of the social context in which various literacies are practised. This study considers Australia’s place in the international arena, briefly comparing the approach of most OECD countries, which have appointed national agencies to promote literacy strategies and programs and to operate community-oriented programs alongside workforce programs, with Australia’s approach, which gives a greater emphasis to integrating language and literacy training with training in specialist vocational skills. This includes mapping adult literacy and numeracy skills into vocational education and training (VET) standards and national qualification frameworks. As well, while it is pointed out that due to its federal system Australia does not have a national policy or strategy, Australia’s approach of integrating literacy with VET, which brings with it the added benefits of recognition and quality assurance, is praised. Show less

Governments, industry, enterprises and the community have great expectations of the vocational education and training (VET) system. This document focuses on the effects that their changing expectations have had on the roles and work of VET managers and practitioners, especially in public providers.

The significant changes in the nature of work and in the composition of the general workforce have been mirrored in the VET sector’s workforce and ways of working, in particular within public VET institutions. Over the past 10 years system-wide radical reforms have been implemented in vocational education and training to produce a more industry-focused and responsive sector. These reforms have included: a lead role for industry in defining the skill standards presented in training packages; the development of quality standards for VET providers - the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF); and the introduction of new technologies and approaches to delivery and the introduction of contestable training markets. The reforms have fundamentally transformed the orientation of public VET providers away from ‘education and training’ towards ‘business and service’, and markedly shifted the roles of managers and practitioners in the process.

It is suggested that the scope and nature of the reforms which VET sector staff have been asked to implement have required a lot more of managers and practitioners over the past 10 years. The change process has been multi-faceted, fast-paced and unrelenting. Some aspects of the ways in which VET practitioners and managers work have undergone radical change; most notable are their work responsibilities and key relationships with industry, colleagues, students and other training organisations. Some fundamental differences exist between public and private VET providers in terms of the impact of the changing policy on the way practitioners and managers work. The size and complexity of the VET sector demands a rethinking of a ‘one size fits all’ approach to policy implementation. Finally, it may be timely to revisit thinking in relation to VET practitioners and managers, and their place in the policy-making process. Show less

This publication is intended to disseminate, in a easily accessible format, the findings and outcomes of the most comprehensive research ever undertaken into Australia's apprenticeship system. The development of the apprenticeship system in Australia is briefly reviewed (including the introduction of traineeships and New Apprenticeships), completions and attrition discussed, and outcomes in terms of employment and career prospects are looked at. Policy implications of the research are identified, future directions suggested, and the publication finishes by giving an overview of eleven research studies, nine funded by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) through the National Research and Evaluation Committee (NREC), and two carried out by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER).

This booklet is part of a series of publications on apprenticeships, now available in print and on the Internet. 'Australian apprenticeships: research readings' (available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 65.04) and 'Australian apprenticeships: facts, fiction and the future' (available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 65.06) are complementary volumes which are briefly summarised here. Show less

This document summarises, in a brief and accessible format, some of the most recent research on the impact of competency based training (CBT) on the Australian vocational education and training (VET) system. Show less

This issue in the 'Research at a glance' series explores the findings and outcomes of research in vocational education and training (VET) as it relates to small business and its attitudes to training, training needs and paths to involvement in training. Show less