The integration of work experience and learning in tertiary education is a complex issue for different stakeholders, including students, institutions, and employers. The provision of course-related work experience for international students is far more challenging as it involves issues of visa status, different cultural expectations,…

The widespread use of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) in the higher education sector in recent years highlights the importance of forging successful relationships with employers, business, industry and government. This article reports on a large ethnographic study conducted by Victoria University into host organisations' perceptions of WIL.…

Continuing education and training is an emerging priority for the nation's tertiary education and training system. Changing work, new work requirements, an ageing workforce and lengthening working lives are some of the factors now influencing this priority. Yet, many of the purposes and processes of the Australian tertiary education and training…

Research messages 2010 is a collection of summaries of research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning: VET system; and VET in…

A study evaluated the need for environmental education and training in vocational education in South Australia. Data were collected from the following sources: consultations with representatives of 16 organizations in the business, government, and education sectors; survey responses from 298 of 1,430 (response rate 21%) contacted…

This document contains a chapter from each Australian State and Territory and from the Commonwealth on their full range of achievements in 1996 related to the National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training. Achievements of all State and Territory Training Authorities are outlined in terms of the four themes of the national strategy:…

A 1999 survey of employer views on vocational education and training (VET) interviewed 3,558 employers of recent VET graduates and 2,495 employers with no VET graduates. Focuses The focus was employers' characteristics, their general views on VET, and information on their organizations' training practices. Findings indicated the following: (1) the…

A study was conducted in Australia, to determine the factors that affect demand for job training. The study consisted of 30 detailed industry case studies, an industry analysis, and a literature review. Each case study examined current training practices, training decision making in the business, and the determinants of training for the…

The 1999 Australian Survey of Employer Views on vocational education and training (VET) followed previous surveys in 1995 and 1997. The number of organizations employing recent VET graduates increased steadily over the last 5 years, from 63,000 in 1995 to 104,000 in 1997 to 117,000 in 1999. On the whole, employer views on VET were more positive in…

This document outlines the major features and achievements of the Australian vocational education and training system in 1996 and provides some illustrative examples of specific initiatives undertaken by states, territories, and the Commonwealth. Among the major achievements detailed in the report are the following: (1) for students--35,000 more…

This paper reports on the effectiveness of Australian schools in preparing young people for the workplace with particular emphasis on literacy and numeracy. Section 1 summarizes the contents. Section 2 notes current interest in assessing school effectiveness. The issue of standards of literacy and numeracy is then considered. Reference is made to…

A study examined the publicly-funded vocational education and training (VET) system in South Australia (SA) in 1997. Background information indicated SA is a geographically large state with a relatively small population that is older compared to the rest of Australia, with 14 percent aged over 65 compared with 12 percent nationally. Findings were…

The need for systems identifying workplace competency profiles was examined through telephone interviews with a nationwide sample of 56 individuals in Australia's electrical industry: 27 employers not directly involved in training; 23 individuals directly involved in training; and 6 apprentices, trainees, and employees. Although competency…

This document contains detailed information on the performance and characteristics of the vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia in 1996. The report looks at a range of specific key performance measures for the VET sector. Some highlights of the performance of the VET sector in 1996 include the following: (1) more than 1.35…

A study interviewed participants in and providers of pre- apprenticeship (PA) programs in Australia and identified their potential role as a component of overall vocational education and training (VET) provision. Data were derived from a special series developed from national VET statistical data for 1994-2000 and were refined by discarding…