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What is STEM?: the need for unpacking its definitions and applications

The generality of the umbrella term 'STEM' (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a synonym for a di... Show more
The generality of the umbrella term 'STEM' (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) as a synonym for a diverse group of skills and academic fields poses various problems in terms of workforce planning and targeted interventions. This summary brings together findings from National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) research investigating educational and occupational concepts and their associated definitions raised in the literature review. As there is no universally shared definitions of STEM skills there cannot be comparable 'STEM' statistics on any number of people, subjects, courses or occupations in the science and technology domain; these should be reported per defined field or grouping e.g. natural sciences, engineering, finance and health.
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Authors: Siekmann, Gitta

Date: 2016

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Teaching and learning; Employment ... [+] Show more
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VET for secondary school students: a research synthesis

The aim of this synthesis is to provide an overview of [vocational education and training] VET for secondary school... Show more
The aim of this synthesis is to provide an overview of [vocational education and training] VET for secondary school students in Australia. The focus is on nationally recognised VET qualifications that contribute to a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education and not on the more general career education and work experience activities that constitute vocational learning. The paper focuses on reasons for choosing and participating in VET programs delivered in schools; models of delivery; quality of delivery; and outcomes, both short and medium-term, from these programs. Current knowledge gaps are identified with areas for further research suggested.
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Authors: Circelli, Michelle; Siekmann, Gitta

Date: 2022

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Secondary education; Pathways ... [+] Show more
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Are skill sets booming?: an analysis of training package skill sets

This report provides an analysis of data on training package skill sets uses data from the National Register of VET... Show more
This report provides an analysis of data on training package skill sets uses data from the National Register of VET and the National Provider Collection - Total VET activity. Training package skill sets are composed of one or more units of competency from a training package and are designed to meet licensing or regulatory requirements, or a defined industry need. The report identifies how much nationally recognised training package or training package skill set activity is occurring and where. The report indicates that activity is clustered around only a small number of skill sets and a small number of training packages.
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Authors: Stanwick, John; Siekmann, Gitta

Date: 2019

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Participation; Skills and knowledge; Vocational education and training ... [+] Show more
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School-to-work pathways

This study explores the school-to-work transitions of youth aged 16 to 25 based on the 2006 cohort of the Longitudi... Show more
This study explores the school-to-work transitions of youth aged 16 to 25 based on the 2006 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY Y06). Five pathways were identified using sequence analysis combined with cluster analysis. While the majority of the young people in the study sample followed a mostly simple higher-education-to-work pathway or early entry to full-time work, the remaining quarter of the sample experienced varied and complex transitions including frequent switching between higher education and vocational education and training (VET) activities, episodes of part-time work and repeatedly disengaging from the labour market. In pathway 2, VET gave an early route to full-time work that resulted in full-time work for 97.4 per cent at age 25.
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Authors: Ranasinghe, Rasika; Chew, Emerick; Knight, Genevieve; Siekmann, Gitta

Date: 2019

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Pathways; Participation; Youth ... [+] Show more
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Defining STEM: how an acronym became a shopping list

The generality of the umbrella term 'STEM' (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) as a synonym for a diver... Show more
The generality of the umbrella term 'STEM' (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) as a synonym for a diverse group of skills and academic fields poses various problems in terms of workforce planning and targeted interventions. This webinar brings together a synthesis from National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) research investigating various educational and occupational concepts associated with STEM.
Generally, the focus has been on how the school and university sectors can help equip the workforce with the STEM-related skills and knowledge considered necessary for the changing economy. NCVER's research explores ways to measure how the vocational education and training (VET) sector is contributing to the development of STEM-related skills. Better measurement of STEM in VET can help to identify supply and demand for education and training, assess (and improve) outcomes and efficiency, direct funding and resources, and properly inform students' choices.
In this webinar the following propositions will be discussed: there is no universally shared definition of STEM skills and therefore there cannot be comparable 'STEM' statistics; initiatives or statistics should be planned and reported separately per defined field of discipline (e.g. natural sciences, engineering, finance or health) or skill type (technical, higher cognitive or socio-emotional); and the contributions and potential of the VET sector are underreported and underrepresented.
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Authors: Siekmann, Gitta; Korbel, Patrick; Bassani, Greg; Reeson, Andrew ... [+] Show more

Date: 2016

Geographic subjects: Oceania; Australia

Resource type: Webinar or podcast

Series name: NCVER webinar series

Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Teaching and learning; Employment ... [+] Show more
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Industry's role in VET governance: using international insights to inform new practices

Industry representation and governance in the vocational education and training (VET) sector have undergone several... Show more
Industry representation and governance in the vocational education and training (VET) sector have undergone several transformations in the past and continue to do so in the present. This literature summary brings together findings using primarily international country comparisons on industry's role in VET over the last decade. Social partnerships, negotiated between governments, employers, unions and training providers, where each partner is highly valued and willing to take responsibility for their part, is the key to effective VET governance and, ultimately, improved outcomes for learners.
Abstract from publisher's website. Show less

Authors: Siekmann, Gitta; Circelli, Michelle

Date: 2021

Geographic subjects: Australia; New Zealand; Oceania ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Industry; Vocational education and training; Governance ... [+] Show more
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Identifying work skills: international approaches

More than ever, existing and future workers need to prepare for the changing skills, and often unknown requirements... Show more
More than ever, existing and future workers need to prepare for the changing skills, and often unknown requirements of jobs. This paper provides an overview of occupational skills information practices in selected countries and organisations. The evidence indicates that other nations are making concerted efforts to create such frameworks, populated with contemporary and cross-referenced skills intelligence and maintained close to real time; the aim being to steer policy and inform training practices, which begs the question: what might be adapted from these various examples to benefit Australia?
Published abstract. Show less

Authors: Siekmann, Gitta; Fowler, Craig

Date: 2017

Geographic subjects: Australia; New Zealand; Oceania ... [+] Show more

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Subjects: Skills and knowledge; Employment; Industry ... [+] Show more
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Opinion pieces 2018

Two opinion pieces were released in 2018: (1) 'VET's role in mitigating disadvantage' by Kristen Osborne (released ... Show more
Two opinion pieces were released in 2018: (1) 'VET's role in mitigating disadvantage' by Kristen Osborne (released 24 April); and (2) 'Work skills information - lots of data, too little coordination' by Gitta Siekmann and Craig Fowler (released 28 June). Show less

Authors: Osborne, Kristen; Siekmann, Gitta; Fowler, Craig

Date: 2018

Geographic subjects: Australia; Oceania

Resource type: Report, paper or authored book

Series name: NCVER opinion pieces

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Disadvantaged; Students ... [+] Show more
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STEM: more than the sum of its parts?

Skills and knowledge in the disciplines science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are often portrayed... Show more
Skills and knowledge in the disciplines science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) are often portrayed as requirements to educational and professional success but even more so to a nation's prosperity and competitiveness. However, without a reference to a definition or a consistent definition of what STEM skills are - statistics, policy development, career advice and funding support run the risk of being disjointed and may not address the problem of mismatched skills.
Currently we see headlines of a STEM crisis or STEM myth, and that STEM skills are in shortage or oversupply. Confusion arises from applying the definition of STEM too broadly and thus attempting to be generic and specific at the same time. [The presenters] suggest using the acronym STEM in its original conception in the education sector as an interdisciplinary approach to learning and thinking that dismantles the traditional barriers separating the four disciplines, and integrates them into real-world, rigorous, and relevant learning experiences. At the same time [the presenters] discourage the use of the acronym as an umbrella term for qualifications and occupations in scientific and technical fields, disregarding the subtleties and differences within the field. While investigating workforce and skills in demand it may [be] easier to think of a desired STEM product or output such as improved technology or scientific discoveries rather than distinct STEM qualifications occupations. This approach will subsequently consider a variety of skills and occupations from all disciplines, including the arts and humanities, under a combined direction.
The emphasis in the current STEM debate is placed on secondary schooling and higher education. This emphasis fails to recognise the major contribution of the [vocational education and training] VET sector to STEM products and services providing a skilled workforce. It not only provides the majority of qualifications and occupations in the engineering and technology workforce but its learning model teaches the application of skills in real or simulated workplace requirements in close collaboration with industry and employers. This model combined with the ability of agile training product responses and tailored short courses makes the VET sector an ideal environment for skill development.
Published abstract. Show less

Authors: Siekmann, Gitta; Korbel, Patrick

Conference name: National Vocational Education and Training Research Conference

Date: 2016

Resource type: Conference

Subjects: Vocational education and training; Skills and knowledge

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