Search

Australian employers' appraisal and use of vocational education and training (VET) qualifications were examined through case studies of 15 small, medium, and large organizations in 8 of Australia's "old" and "new" economy industries. Data were collected through interviews with management/employer representatives, middle managers, and union representatives at each organization and a company profile that was administered during the site visits. Employer confidence in the ability of Australian VET providers to meet business needs was mixed. Although providing training was not part of their core business or primary focus, they generally considered it important in supporting their business goals. This view was particularly evident in the use of training for recruitment and for meeting legislative requirements. All sectors but the surfing industry used formal training. The employers were also ambivalent toward training providers. Their comments on training providers were generally negative, in some cases, expressing the view that all training is lacking but training supplied to their own organization was satisfactory. When asked what they want in VET training, the employers mentioned flexibility of VET qualifications and training, flexibility in delivery, and training organizations that listen to and are responsive to business needs. A need for greater understanding and knowledge of recent changes to Australia's national training system was identified. (Contains 60 references.) (MN)

A research study was conducted to identify barriers to enrollment in and expansion of apprenticeships and traineeships in the western region of Melbourne, Australia. Data were collected through conducting six focus groups (a total of 180 tenth- and twelfth-grade students) from six schools in three Local Government Areas; surveying 400 local businesses; and interviewing key stakeholders such as group training companies, industry training boards, employers, and school career education teachers. The barriers identified included career counseling; the importance of vocational and technical education (VET) in schools; community and media perceptions quality and source of information; and organizational issues. The research resulted in recommendations--for schools, employers, and government--to provide a way for all parties to improve the quality of apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities and outcomes. Among the recommendations were these: (1) a pathways planning model should be developed; (2) a more effective media and information campaign that targets employers, including nontraditional sites for apprentices, should be developed; (3) the state government should implement the findings of the Kirby Report on postcompulsory education in Victoria. (KC)

This paper reports on an evaluation of the Online Learning in Tertiary Education (OLTE) subject in the Graduate Diploma in Tertiary Education program at Victoria University of Technology (Australia). The subject, which commenced this year, used both Problem-Based Learning (PBL) and Action Learning (AL) teaching methods. In addition, students undertook a minor negotiated project in which they used online learning within a module and/or subject in which they were teaching. Face-to-face contact was reduced provided students engaged in the online forum for the subject, thereby providing some of the flexibility students wanted. In addition to obtaining student feedback for the subject, the evaluation focused on the use of the mixture of teaching methods, student use of the online forum to extend their face-to-face sessions and the students' capacities to undertake the negotiated project. While the semester program and the support students need to complete their project work need to be improved, there is evidence students found the PBL intensive program productive. Further, the students' use of the online forum demonstrated its potential, especially towards then end of the subject, but its use must be more aligned with the learning outcomes for the course. (Contains 12 references.) (Author/MES)