This issue in the series, "Research at a Glance," explores Australian small business and its attitudes to training, needs, how small business becomes involved in training, and how training happens. It begins with an overview of findings, some policy options, and a list of 11 references used in preparation of this publication. Research…

This publication provides information about overseas students in the vocational education and training (VET) sector in Australia. Information is presented about the number of clients, country or origins, course enrollments, module enrollments and outcomes, sex, state/territory, age, and annual hours. One figure shows overseas vocational education…

This booklet is one in a series that has been written for the general reader who wants to understand important trends in vocational education and training in Australia. Its focus is competency-based training and assessment. The booklet starts with the specific working environment of a blackjack dealer in a casino and explores the meaning of…

The authors outline the development of a youth policy as it exists in South Australia. They examine the background of the policy's formation, the draft of a discussion paper and the resulting dialogue, and priority areas considered in the youth policy document. (CT)

Limited research has been undertaken to identify and examine systemic issues associated with the provision of vocational education and training (VET) to equity groups. This report focuses on the institutional relationships and policies that determine equity provision, and proposes three principles for framing equity practices. The principles are:…

This study described current and past levels of casual employment (CE) and outsourcing in the Australian work force and identified how they are related to training. Data sources included two rounds of the Australian Workplace Industrial Relations Survey and Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) surveys of training and education experience. ABS…

This publication, drawn from the national collection of vocational education and training (VET) data in Australia, summarizes data that relate to the 32,315 VET students who identified themselves as indigenous (being of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander origin) in 1996. The publication's six sections are as follows: 1996 highlights; diversity…

A review of research studied the provision of vocational education and training (VET) in adult and juvenile correctional institutions. Research data and secondary source articles on VET from 1990 to the present were collected from around Australia and, where relevant to the Australian experience, overseas. Findings showed corrections institutions…

An assessment task in which clerical occupations students prepare a report on setting up an office aligns with Australia's competency-based curriculum and national assessments of competence. In this holistic approach, learners research and discuss the problem and draw on personal experience as well as classroom learning. (SK)

Notes suburban Australian newspapers have traditionally relied on a junior workforce, which means they have a significant influence in training cadets and shaping the journalists of the future. Suggests lack of staff and resources mean that the loftier ideals of journalism often give way to more practical issues. Discusses the challenges facing…

Suggests recruits to the rural press face particular challenges that might inhibit their capacity to work to the professional standards of their metropolitan counterparts. Considers four ways to lift the standards of the rural press through education and training in universities to prepare students for the rural workplace. (RS)

Interviews with 195 Australian training managers found that competency-based training is effective for workplace-relevant learning, organizational development, and standardization. However, it marginalizes cultural, conceptual, and tacit knowledge. Although it achieves some stakeholders' objectives, it privileges certain enterprises, workers, and…

Increasing enterprises' expenditure on their employees' vocational education and training (VET) is of concern for governments in many countries. This article identifies and discusses policy goals for increased enterprise expenditure on VET and elaborates options for achieving these goals. Throughout, measures that attempt to mandate and regulate…

"Framing the Future" is a major staff development initiative of the Australian National Training Authority. The initiative supports people in the vocational education and training (VET) sector who are involved in implementing the National Training Framework. "Framing the Future" encourages VET practitioners to take…

This report examines participation in vocational education and training (VET) of four groups of Australians: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, women, people from a non-English speaking background (NESB), and people with disabilities. For each group, the following are presented and depicted in figures and tables: background, context…