Following an introduction ("Return on Investment in Training" by Andrew Smith) that provides an overview and a synopsis of research findings, the following five chapters of this book present the results of five research projects funded by the National Research and Evaluation Committee in Australia in 1999-2000. The first four of these…

Examines the comparative labor market experience of youth in the United States and eight other developed countries from 1960-1979, focusing upon unemployment levels and rates. Finds that the situation worsened in industrialized nations after the 1974-75 recession and that Japanese and German youth continue to have the most favorable job prospects.…

Documents the growth in aesthetic service occupations and issues regarding employability: interpersonal skills, training, and social exclusion of those deemed unsuitable for "style" labor. Examines a Scottish training program that raises concerns about social control but may improve the employability of long-term unemployed persons.…

Data from an Australian evaluation of competency-based training (CBT) suggest that it emphasizes development of procedural, technical knowledge over reflective problem solving and precludes transformative learning. CBT's empowerment discourses are often belied by workplace realities. Identities of workers and vocational educators are circumscribed…

Secondary school-industry programs in Australia include the Australian Student Traineeship Foundation and TRAC, a national cooperative vocational program. These programs feature local involvement in curricula, experiential education, criterion-based assessment, and establishment of new paths into higher education. (SK)

A participatory action research (PAR) project used elements of the levels of use (LoU) of the innovation model to monitor the effects of on-the-job training in a telephone repair service. LoU interviews demonstrated validity, but the PAR method did not fulfill its emancipatory potential for change. Although participants critiqued the instruments…

A study investigated the nature and characteristics of 68 staff working in employment services for people with a disability in New South Wales, Australia. Results indicate higher than usual staff turnover and that 53% had no previous professional experience working with people with a disability. Training needs are emphasized. (CR)

Analysis of Australian and U.S. data suggests key features likely to characterize high-performance workplaces: adoption of global best practices, leveraging of knowledge as a competitive tool, emphasis on translating workers' tacit knowledge for use, need for functional and numerical flexibility of the labor force, and a shift from labor relations…

Using an inclusive definition of "demand side," case studies of two industry sectors and three regions in Australia identified how the needs of industry, enterprises, regions, and individuals were being met by vocational education. Local decision making and curriculum development were keys to reconciling the diverse sets of needs. (SK)

Suggests there are different sets of news values for different types of newspapers because they are serving different types of communities. Addresses the issues of whether suburban Australian newspapers are really different, and, if they are, what does that mean for the way journalism educators should teach journalism. (RS)

Discusses whether young people working at suburban newspapers require any different preparation than their counterparts who head directly for the metropolitan media. Notes similar questions arise regarding those heading for provincial and rural media and those, from smaller or less developed countries overseas, who will return home on graduation.…

Internationally, governments are keen to identify and enact policies to encourage increased contributions from enterprises for the skill development of their employees. However, the goals for these policies often remain unclear and the means of securing these purposes are vexed. Drawing on a review of international literature and interviews with…

The authors of this article were involved in designing and delivering a vocational education and training (VET) program for employees of a large Australian government agency. Learning partnerships were included as an integral part of this program and research was conducted to determine whether learning partnerships could be used effectively in…

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. This support document includes a national survey of…

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. This support document includes a national survey of…