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This eight page booklet offers a brief summary of the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) research report ‘Qualitative impact of training packages on vocational education and training clients’ (indexed at TD/ANTA 82.163). Show less

The purpose of this paper is to elaborate the basis in analysis and thought of the Australian National Training Authority's (ANTA's) Board's proposal that Australia work towards making participation in post secondary education and training a universal experience. This paper has been developed to provide in greater detail information and arguments to support some of the conclusions and directions outlined in the National Strategy for Vocational Education and Training 1998-2003 (indexed at TD/TNC 85.683). It examines: The links between education and training (E & T), and economic growth and competitiveness of nations, firms and employees; Australian industry's requirements for skilled people; How Australia measures up in international terms; International policy directions in E & T and Vocational Education Training (VET) in particular; and A proposed integrated policy approach to VET for Australia. The paper concludes that: A number of studies have suggested that E & T attainment of qualifications is an important determinant of productivity and competitiveness, including at the national level as well as the firm and individual levels; The demand for skilled people with VET qualifications from Australian industry appears to be higher than the rate of supply of skilled people with VET qualifications; Australia's adult population is poorly qualified by international standards and the gap appears to be widening; Australia's mix of academic, vocational and basic general skills, including literacy, is not in balance with emerging needs: our level of vocational and basic general skills is particularly low; Leading economies are developing VET as a central plank in their package of E & T reform to meet the challenges of the new economy; and Australia needs to take action to at least maintain and then bridge E & T gaps which will require a major contribution from the VET sector (and also schools) to increase the VET qualifications gained by young persons, a focus by the VET system also on the existing workforce to further boost the recognised skills of older workers and reduce the qualifications gap between younger and older workers, and an overarching commitment by States to work with industry to ensure VET delivered through national training reform adds value and optimises the work skills results. Show less

This report provides an overview of the entire Australian workforce based on the methodology used in the American study titled 'Education for what? the new office economy' by Anthony P. Carnevale and Stephen J Rose (an executive summary of this study may be found at TD/INT 54.13). Data from five Australian censuses (1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, and 1996) have been analysed to provide a time series profile of the Australian workforce, focusing on types of functions instead of just where people work or what occupation they have. The project report reveals relationships between what people do, how much they earn, and how educated they are.

Section 1 details the rationale behind the functional approach taken to analyse economic activities and the workforce. An overview is provided of the trends on the total workforce for the past twenty years, and presents findings on employment share, and the education and earnings of workers in the various function groups.

Section 2 explains the job level analysis (elite, good, and less-skilled) in greater detail and presents findings on employment share, education and earnings in terms of these categories.

A booklet containing highlights of this report may be found indexed at TD/ANTA 59.01. Show less

The ‘ABC of VET 2002’ series contains 10 leaflets, each providing an overview of one aspect of vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. The titles are: Australian National Training Authority [ANTA]; Australian Quality Training Framework [AQTF]; A fair go for everyone: making training equitable; Flexible learning; National marketing strategy for VET: meeting client needs; Skilling up Australia: VET’s role; Training: it pays to stay; Training packages; Training package support material; VET research. Show less

This document sets out the revised workplan for carrying out improvements to training packages following the high level review. The review looked at how training packages could be improved to better meet skill needs and support teaching and learning. The workplan outlines priorities for action up until 30 June 2005, when ANTA's [Australian National Training Authority's] responsibilities are transferred over to the Australian Government Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST). These priority areas include employability skills, development and review processes, guidelines for VET [vocational education and training] qualifications, and cross-industry qualifications. The workplan covers three years, so after 30 June 2005 the responsibility for implementing the workplan will rest with DEST.

Published abstract.

The final report from the high level review of training packages is indexed at TD/ANTA 78.01. Show less

In recent years, the vocational education and training (VET) system in Australia has undergone major change in response to the national training reform agenda. Underlying these changes is the recognition that the VET system, of which publicly funded colleges of technical and further education (TAFE) form the major component, must become more client-focused. More than ever before, it is imperative that TAFE focuses sharply on the needs and concerns of its principal client base, the individual student. The report discusses the above concepts and the principal research instrument was a national survey of TAFE students by questionnaire. Show less

This publication provides overviews of the 14 Victorian projects funded by the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) as part of the Demonstrating Best Practice in Vocational Education and Training (VET) project. A diverse range of organisations and a diverse range of best practice approaches are documented here by the organisations who undertook the projects. Show less

This paper examines the nature of the non-English speaking background (NESB) client experience of migration, education, training and employment to better understand the position of this client group in vocational education and training (VET). It also provides a platform for discussing any actions necessary to improve the VET experience of clients from NESB. The chapters are: Context of migration experience; Employment experience; Vocational education and training experience; Barriers to equity: constraints on access, participation and outcomes. Problems of methodology and definition are included in the appendix. Show less

Today, Australia holds a position of strength in the global economy. This has been achieved through embracing change, robust growth and a focus on productivity improvements. Vocational education and training has made an important contribution by increasing the skills of Australian workers, which has delivered higher productivity and more innovative work practices. As in many countries a number of changes are also evident in Australia: the developing knowledge-based economy and the growing services sector. The impact of these changes is causing a sea change in skill requirements for Australian industry, as demand for traditional skills in some industries is now being overshadowed by demand for skills to create, organise and apply knowledge and to work with others to do so. The borders of occupations are blurring with the diffusion of technology across industries. Application of new technology impacts on the shelf-life of skills, necessitating accelerated skills development. The other long-standing trend - that of part-time exceeding full-time job gains - is also expected to continue. To ensure that Australia's workforce is at the cutting edge of these developments, the Government, through the ANTA [Australian National Training Authority] Board, needs strong and robust advice from industry about its future skill needs. In 2003 the ANTA Board took two initiatives to strengthen the advice from industry - the launching of a National Industry Skills Forum of industry leaders and the creation of 10 new Industry Skills Councils. The ANTA Board wants to work in partnership with businesses to meet the demand for skills in traditional and emerging industries. [Included as attachments: Australian National Training Authority Act 1992; National Industry Training Advisory Bodies: brief description and scope].

Published abstract. Show less

This first action plan is a companion document to the Australian national vocational education and training (VET) strategy for 2004-2010 (indexed at TD/LMR 85.685). It identifies actions that the Australian, state and territory governments and the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) will take, in partnership with industry, providers and other stakeholders, to turn strategy into action. Six national priority actions for 2004 and 2005 across the four objectives and 12 strategies of Shaping our Future have been identified by the Ministers. They are: generate strategies to enable VET to respond to emerging skill needs for the future world of work; implement agreed ANTA Ministerial Council recommendations from the high level review of training packages to improve training packages for industry, individuals and providers and strengthen teaching and learning outcomes; build a strong empirical and evidence base on which to develop options for Ministers on the future resourcing of VET; develop and implement a strategic plan to respond to emerging skill needs of the mature age workforce and Australia’s ageing population; conduct targeted research to complement and strengthen regional and community development initiatives occurring across Australia; and increase training opportunities leading to sustainable employment for Indigenous Australians. This action plan will be updated during the life of the national strategy to take account of progress and to maintain its currency and relevance. Show less