Australia

Citation

(2010), "Australia", Education + Training, Vol. 52 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/et.2010.00452bab.002

Australia

Article Type: Research news From: Education + Training, Volume 52, Issue 2

The following extracts are taken from the National Centre for Vocational Education Research web site.

“Taking ‘innovation’ on the road” by Jane Figgis, AAAJ Consulting Group and Yvonne Hillier, University of Brighton

Both Jane Figgis and Yvonne Hillier recently completed research reports for the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on trends in teaching and learning in vocational education and training (VET). Figgis focused on Australian initiatives within providers, while Hillier took a broader and international view. This work was the basis for a series of workshops in five jurisdictions. This present report not only consolidates the perspectives of their earlier work but also develops the substantial common ground. Thus, it has become an additional stage in the research and offers a number of clear messages.

• •

  Changing practice is neither a quick nor painless process. Moreover, an innovation does not have to be entirely new, just new to the team or institution attempting to implement it.

• •

  Key to changing practice is accessing fresh ideas, which are often passed on through networks. However, those wanting to “innovate” need to convince other colleagues of the need for change.

• •

  Recasting practice and rethinking assumptions need to take account of deeply held values and experience. The most effective change may not be through radical reform, but through incremental improvements.

• •

  Developing an organisational culture which encourages mainstream practitioners to reflect habitually on what they are doing and take action are what is needed, not a focus on “star innovators”. Providing the resources to enable this is also important.

Those interested in this work are pointed to “Regenerating the Australian landscape of professional VET practice: Practitioner-driven changes to teaching and learning” by Jane Figgis and “Innovation in teaching and learning in vocational education and training: International perspectives” (a report and a podcast) by Yvonne Hillier.

VET graduate employment falls in 2009

The economic slump has seen the number of VET graduates employed after training decrease. According to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research’s 2009 Student Outcomes Survey, 77.8 per cent of graduates were employed after training, compared to 80.7 per cent in 2008. Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER said the impact of the economic downturn has been felt. “This year it was harder for graduates to find work after finishing their training, especially for those who did not have a job before starting their training,”

In 2009, for graduates who were not employed before training, there was a decrease of 5.6 percentage points in finding a job after their training compared to last year.

However, not everyone has been affected by the economic conditions. Outcomes for trade apprentice and trainees have been relatively unaffected by the downturn.

Despite a general decline in employment after training, graduates were positive about their training. Satisfaction across the board remains high, with over 89 per cent of all graduates satisfied with the overall quality of their training.

To download a copy of Australian vocational education and training statistics: Student outcomes 2009 visit: www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2180.html

Apprentice commencements the key in hard times

New research argues that apprentice commencements, more than completions are in need of attention in a recession. Released by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), Apprenticeships and traineeships in the downturn assesses the likely impact of the economic slump on apprentices and trainees.

Dr Tom Karmel, Managing Director, NCVER said it is important that we continue to attract apprentices to commence training in order to avoid future skills shortages. “When times are tough, employers are less likely to take on new apprentices […] in a buoyant economy, the high cost to an employer in taking on an apprentice is balanced by benefits such as loyalty and knowing the quality of the training. In an economic downturn these benefits appear less attractive so apprentice numbers go down.”

The research also found that completion rates are likely to increase, as in a downturn employers are more likely to push their apprentices through their training, and with fewer opportunities available, apprentices are more likely to stay with their employer. “The challenge is to ensure that new people are starting apprenticeships so that we are not faced with a lack of skilled workers in the years to come.”

The report also suggests that trainees will not be as affected as apprentices in a downturn. This is because the service industries are more stable than the trades which are closely linked to the economic cycle, and because training wages and incentives make trainees a competitive pool of labour.

For a copy of this publication visit: www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2197.html