Search Results

The New South Wales Department of Correctional Services (DCS) defines case management as ‘a personalised interactive approach to the management of offenders in custody’. Since 1997 the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has conducted an investigation into relationships between staff and inmates in NSW correctional centres. The investigation has revealed some incidence of improper conduct related to aspects of case management. This report describes research conducted by the ICAC to develop a better understanding of case management. The research project aimed to provide an overview of the historical context of case management and its current implementation in correctional facilities in NSW, other Australian states and overseas. A series of structured interviews with correctional officers and inmates in NSW correctional centres were held to examine the daily operation of case management in the NSW correctional system. The report summarises responses from both the officers and the inmates. The final section discusses the key issues arising from the research and presents a number of recommendations that have already been made to the DCS. The key finding is that both officers and inmates consider case management to be beneficial. However, as correctional institution work environments are not open to public scrutiny, it was found that opportunities existed for individual institutions to develop their own work culture. As a consequence, ‘organisational determinants’ were found to supersede an individual’s attitudes to his or her work. It was revealed that the management of case management had become lax and required more rigour, thereby reducing opportunities for corruption. Bibliography and appendix included. Show less

The aim of the project reported here was to explore and document underpinning best practice in the delivery of programs that are educationally effective and responsive to the changing needs of the students, providing training outcomes that put students in the best position to begin a successful career in their chosen field. Four successful hospitality programs delivered by TAFE institutes in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania were examined with a view to benchmarking. A best practice model was derived from the study of the four programs. Show less

This plan sets out the strategic directions and priorities of the automotive industry in New South Wales (NSW) for vocational education and training (VET) over the three years 2000-2002. The contents of the plan include: industry vision for 2000-2002; review of the 1999-2001 industry VET plan; methodology for the 2000-2002 industry VET plan; executive summary; industry sector analysis; VET strategies - industry impacts; industry advice containing ten tables detailing actions and priorities; and research priorities.

The automotive industry is divided into two main sectors: repair service and retail; and manufacturing. There is very little manufacturing activity in NSW. The repair service and retail sector can be further divided into sales, mechanical, body and after-market. Other sectors covered by the Automotive Training Board include marine and bicycle. Show less

This paper, presented at the 'Skilling for a Small Planet' annual IVETA conference, examines the move from a Fordist to a Post Fordist era and suggests the need for a new curriculum framework for vocational education. The competency based training (CBT) system which has evolved through the Fordist era and indeed is based on Taylorist ideas, is not appropriate. The concept of a curriculum framework is presented as a means to fully analyse the curriculum aspects of the CBT system and arrive at an alternative system.

The new curriculum framework that needs to be devised should be based on the significant body of literature on cognitive psychology and approaches occurring in other countries. The framework as presented contains all the major aspects of curriculum to help formulate the new approach. In particular, the goals and objectives of vocational education need to be reconsidered. Show less

The purpose of this research project was to outline improvements that can be incorporated into the design of learner guides produced by the Educational Services Divisions (ESDs) of TAFE NSW. The report includes recommendations on how existing learner guides can be improved with specific advice regarding requirements for different student profiles, such as those from non-English speaking and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. Recommendations on the development of policy, and the staff skills necessary for the improvement of learner guides, are also included. Show less

This research sought to improve course and module outcomes through the identification of course and module design and delivery elements considered critical to successful course and module outcomes.

Specified project objectives were to: identify elements of course design and delivery which various groups perceive to have an influence on course outcomes; determine any relationship between elements of course and module design and course and module outcomes; and develop recommendations for curriculum design and delivery aimed at improving course and module outcomes.

The project has demonstrated the complex range of variables, and clusters of variables, which impact on course outcomes and the difficulties of attempting to correlate outcomes with particular variables. As a result of this project, advice is provided on aspects of course and module design and delivery which have been identified as contributing to positive course outcomes. Show less

Since December 1996 approximately 4,300 (or 30 per cent) of jobs have been lost from the New South Wales (NSW) coal mining industry, resulting in displaced workers having to seek employment in other industries. This report examines the training needs of these displaced workers, including the need to have the skills gained during employment assessed and recognised, and the need for updating current skills and developing new skills. The report offers recommendations for assisting the displaced workers in planning retraining and in job searching. Show less

Empirical findings are presented from a current study of patterns of local participation in Vocational Education and Training (VET) in greater Sydney using national statistics and census mapping software. The study is predicated on the assumption that the 'community' dimension' of equity in VET has been neglected by the current emphasis on the representation of ‘target equity groups’ with little regard for the socio-economic distribution of disadvantage. The article reviews three research approaches derived to local equity analysis before presenting data showing participation rates in urban Sydney postcodes. The case is argued for national equity to reconsider the role of local provider equity strategies. This working paper will briefly review the reasons for giving more attention to the local dimension of equity research, describe some possible approaches and present some preliminary findings on TAFE participation rates in greater Sydney postcodes using state statistics and census mapping software.

Published abstract.

The volume of collected papers is indexed at TD/TNC 60.88. Show less

This project provides an assessment of the feasibility of developing on-line course delivery for vocational education and training (VET) in the adult and community education (ACE) sector. The project examines the following issues: flexible delivery developments in related educational and training sectors; the capacity and willingness of ACE providers to supply on-line training; and the demand for on-line education from the prospective students/clients of ACE. Show less

This plan sets out the strategic directions and priorities for the construction industry in New South Wales for vocational education and training (VET) over the three years 2000-2002. The contents of the plan include: industry vision for 2002; review of the 1999-2001 VET plan; industry environment and impact of government policies, programs and priorities for VET; skills profile of the industry; industry objectives; industry activity profile; VET strategies and industry recommendations for VET. Show less