A regular email newsletter from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research
One month to 24th National VET Research Conference
Register now and join us for an exciting program featuring over 50 presentations focusing on three key areas: Youth, Pathways and Skills, all of which are vital to developing the VET system and meeting future skills demand.
Presentations include:
Skills transfer, re-skilling and training of older workers in response to industry restructuring
Using integrated VET and Census of Population and Housing data to measure educational outcomes
Employers’ views of work integrated learning: engineering as a case study
Pathways to degree completion in the sciences for men and women in Australia
Understanding the needs of VET students articulating to second-year university
Held on 6-8 July at the University of Western Sydney, this is your opportunity to connect with leading researchers and professionals in the VET sector.
Places filling fast! Check out the program and register online.
Research funding closing – submissions due!
With just two weeks to go until the latest National Vocational Education and Training Research (NVETR) funding round closes, it’s time to get your submissions in! Managed by NCVER on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, this funding round seeks proposals under three specific topic areas relevant to policy and the practice of Australia’s VET sector.
For further information
Latest training data
Fewer apprentices and trainees started training last year, with commencements declining 21.9% to 192 000 in 2014 compared with 2013. Overall, there were 316 400 apprentices and trainees in-training on 31 December 2014, a decrease of 18.3% compared with 31 December 2013. Comparing data from the year (to 31 December 2014) with 2013, the number of apprenticeship and traineeship:
Commencements in trade occupations decreased 16.9%
Commencements in non-trade occupations decreased 25.3%
Completions decreased 17.8%
Cancellations and withdrawals decreased by 7.6%
Apprentices and trainees 2014 – December quarter
Preliminary data show that the overall number of students enrolled in publicly funded training declined 3.5% in 2014 compared with 2013. However, student numbers increased in Northern Territory (9.2%), Queensland (4.9%), Tasmania (1.8%) and New South Wales (0.1%). Overall, 1.8 million students were enrolled in publicly funded VET in 2014, similar to the number reported in 2010. More students undertook diploma or higher qualifications in 2014 (up 5.9%), compared with 2013, while the number of students studying a certificate qualification (certificates I-IV) declined (down 4.3%).
Government-funded students and courses 2014 – preliminary
Outcomes of education and training
A set of five national research priorities directed research into Australia’s tertiary education and training sector during 2011-2014. The outcomes of education and training: what the Australian research is telling us, 2011-14 brings together a range of significant findings and identifies future research opportunities which have helped develop Research prospectus 2015-16.
Students rate Australia’s training system
Australia’s major survey of students for rating the nation’s vocational education and training (VET) system is underway. Around 310 000 students are being asked about their recent experience at a TAFE institute, private training provider, or adult and community education provider.
The Student Outcomes Survey comprises information on students who completed their training with government funding or with a government supported VET provider in 2014.
The Scan is produced by Inter Mediate, a Melbourne based public policy consulting practice, with a focus on education and training issues, particularly higher education. The Scan reviews topical issues in the tertiary education sector and places them in a broader context.
