Search Results

This paper discusses preliminary findings from a sub-set of empirical data collected for a recent [National Centre for Vocational Education Research] NCVER study that explored the geographic dimensions of social exclusion in four locations in Victoria and South Australia with lower than average post school education participation. Set against the policy context of the Bradley Review (2008) and the drive to increase the post school participation of young people from low socio-economic status neighbourhoods, this qualitative research study, responding to identified gaps in the literature, sought a nuanced understanding of how young people make decisions about their post-school pathways. Drawing on Appadurai's (2004) concept 'horizons of aspiration' the paper explores the aspirations of two young people formed from, and within, their particular rural 'neighborhoods'.

The paper reveals how their post school education and work choices, imagined futures and conceptions of a 'good life', have topographic and gendered influences that are important considerations for policy makers.

Published abstract. Show less

This report describes training and economic activity and developments related to Victoria's mining industry, bringing together a range of qualitative and quantitative insights from desk research and industry engagement. It highlights both the challenges the industry faces in attracting the right skills, and the opportunities businesses, training providers and government have to address these challenges. Key metrics used in this report include enrolments by sub-industry, qualification level, occupation, courses, age group, gender, learners facing barriers, provider type, reason for study and completions. The report also covers apprentices and trainees, and an analysis of the alignment between training delivery and specific industry skills needs. The report produces industry, sub-industry and region-specific findings and, wherever possible, presents comparisons to developments at the state level.

Excerpt from publication. Show less

This review was commissioned in response to the recommendation of the Parliamentary Inquiry into Agricultural Education and Training [report indexed in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 110.663] to look at the feasibility of how Victoria's agricultural colleges could be better utilised to deliver agricultural education to school, VET and higher education students. The Department commissioned ACIL Allen Consulting to undertake a 10 week study into six colleges/campuses: Dookie and Burnley which are the responsibility of the University of Melbourne; Longerenong, McMillan, and Gilbert Chandler which are leased to WorkCo, Community College Gippsland, and GOTAFE respectively; Glenormiston, which was recently vacated by South West Institute of TAFE. The data analysis and consultations conducted reaffirm that agriculture plays an important role in the Victorian economy both in terms of economic value and employment, and that the skills within the sector are critical to its competitiveness. Given the importance of the agricultural workforce, skills shortages at all levels are an ongoing concern, from lower level, more practical qualifications to higher level Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas and Bachelor degrees. Specific shortages in technical areas such as Agricultural Scientists and Agronomists have resulted in some levels of international recruitment in recent years. Agriculture training in Victoria is facing challenges similar to those interstate and internationally. Production is seeing increasing capital and technological intensity, leading to reductions in the base demand for labour and the need for changed models of training delivery. There is a clear need to improve participation generally, promote a positive industry image, improve awareness, and improve participation in schools to counteract the declining interest in careers in the sector. Even following some strong growth in VET student numbers following the introduction of the VTG, enrolments in agriculture-related qualifications are no higher than they were 10 years ago. Most areas of agriculture-related higher education are also experiencing a long-term decline in enrolments.

The report is structured as follows: Chapter 2 provides an overview of the Victorian agriculture sector and current and likely future skills needs and training trends that will need to be met by the marketplace of VET and higher education providers in Victoria; Chapter 3 analyses the current provision of agricultural education and training in Victoria, including the role of the six agricultural colleges, competition in the sector and the colleges' market shares; Chapter 4 compares the utilisation of assets at other providers of agricultural education and training with that of the Victorian agricultural colleges and provides a summary of the range of alternate approaches that have and could be implemented to improve levels of utilisation; and Chapter 5 makes recommendations for the role of government and industry to ensure that any relevant market failures can be explicitly identified and interventions are appropriately justified.

Excerpts from publication. Show less

This article argues that the adoption of the competitive Vocational Education and Training (VET) markets in Australia resulted in shifts in institutional perceptions and practices. Using situated experiences and perspectives from quality assurance auditors, training managers, international students and VET teachers from seven commercial for-profit private VET institutions in Melbourne, Australia, the article suggests that there are emerging patterns of institutionalised market-based relationships, which can have long-term implications for pedagogy, learning and international students’ outcomes in VET.

Abstract from publisher’s website. Show less

This report describes training and economic activity and developments related to Victoria's wholesale trade industry, bringing together a range of qualitative and quantitative insights from desk research and industry engagement. It highlights both the challenges the industry faces in attracting the right skills, and the opportunities businesses, training providers and Government have to address these challenges. Key metrics used in this report include enrolments by sub-industry, qualification level, occupation, courses, age group, gender, learners facing barriers, provider type, reason for study and completions by related industry sub-sectors. The report also covers apprentices and trainees, and an analysis of the alignment between training delivery and specific industry skills needs. The report produces industry, sub-industry and region-specific findings and, wherever possible, presents comparisons to developments at the state level.

Excerpt from publication. Show less

On Track is an annual survey run by the Victorian Government to monitor destination outcomes of school leavers six months after they exit school. This report provides insights into the post-school destinations of Victorian students who exited school in 2013 and participated in the 2014 On Track survey (conducted in May-June 2014). In 2013, there were 54,371 Year 12 or equivalent completers in Victoria. Of these, 32,183 (59.2 per cent) participated in the 2014 On Track survey. Regardless of the education level they attain, most students leaving school choose to either continue their education or training, or enter the workforce. The desire to start working and earning money was the main reason why school leavers did not continue their education or training. In 2014, a record 77.4 per cent of all Year 12 (or equivalent) completers and over half (53.8 per cent) of early leavers, chose to further their education. For both cohorts, this was an increase from the previous year.

Edited excerpts from publication. Show less

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development (DEECD) was created in August 2007 through the merger of the Department of Education and part of the Office for Children, in the Department of Human Services (DHS). The annual reports cover financial years and provide an account of the financial and business operations of the department.

Following the Victorian State election on November 2014 and a change of government, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Education (DEECD) became the Department of Education and Training (DET). Show less

This report describes training and economic activity and developments related to Victoria's arts and recreation industry, bringing together a range of qualitative and quantitative insights from desk research and industry engagement. It highlights both the challenges the industry faces in attracting the right skills, and the opportunities businesses, training providers and Government have to address these challenges. Key metrics used in this report include enrolments by sub-industry, qualification level, occupation, courses, age group, gender, learners facing barriers, provider type, reason for study and completions. The report also covers apprentices and trainees, and an analysis of the alignment between training delivery and specific industry skills needs. The report produces industry, sub-industry and region-specific findings and, wherever possible, presents comparisons to developments at the state level.

Excerpt from publication. Show less

Retaining students is a critical strategy for Australian universities. Victoria University (VU), Melbourne, had levels of attrition which were higher than operationally and educationally palatable. As one intervention to address this issue, VU embarked on a project to operationalize a whole of university approach to the first year experience which was strategic, systematic, flexible and responsive. A key aim of the project was to ensure that ownership of the initiative rested with the colleges of the university in partnership with supporting professional staff. This paper reports on a pilot model for achieving this, through the development of an academic First Year Champion role, working with Academic Support and Development lecturers towards implementing a 'transition pedagogy' in the largest college at the university. Early indications suggest that the pilot has increased awareness of the importance of effective partnerships around retention. The model has now been extended to other colleges.

Published abstract. Show less

This report presents the Productivity Commission's views on the costs and benefits of industry-specific assistance to the automotive manufacturing industry, in light of the structural change that will occur over the next few years as Ford, Holden and Toyota close their motor vehicle manufacturing plants in Australia. Key findings presented in the report include: retrenched employees face costs associated with job search and training, and some will have lower paid or less secure jobs once re-employed; loss of employment is particularly challenging for older people, or those with poor English proficiency or lower skill levels; while retrenched manufacturing employees may take longer on average to find re-employment than employees retrenched from other industries, within a year about two-thirds are likely to be re-employed on a full, part-time or casual basis; adjustment pressures are likely to be concentrated within particular regions, such as North Adelaide, parts of Melbourne and Geelong; some affected regions already have relatively high rates of unemployment and social disadvantage; governments should ensure the appropriate resourcing of the delivery of generally available welfare, training and employment services for all clients in regions placed under pressure by automotive manufacturing retrenchments; governments should consider ways to better target assistance to retrenched employees who are likely to encounter the greatest difficulties finding re-employment; regional adjustment funds, infrastructure and defence spending and industry support programs are costly and ineffective ways to facilitate workforce adjustment.

Edited excerpts from publisher's website. Show less