Background: Research on post-secondary training for individuals with intellectual disabilities has generally focused on programs, with little consideration of the structures and mechanisms that give rise to them. This article adopts a critical realist perspective to comparatively analyse and theorise about the contextual structures contributing to…

Streamlining the vocational qualification development process in Australia is a current priority of the skills ministers of both the Australian Government and state and territory governments. This research summary explores the development processes associated with vocational qualifications in selected countries and compares them with the current…

This project is focused on the second element noted by the Australian Industry Skills Committee (AISC) to streamline the national vocational education and training (VET) system so that it can better respond to the needs of industry -- faster development of qualifications. It looks at the vocational qualification development processes in different…

The subject of youth policy is discussed in three articles: youth policy developments in Western Australia, Australian Council of Trade Unions policies on youth employment and training, and an outline of developments and provisions in youth policy. (CT)

The authors outline the development of a youth policy as it exists in South Australia. They examine the background of the policy's formation, the draft of a discussion paper and the resulting dialogue, and priority areas considered in the youth policy document. (CT)

The development of "New Apprenticeships" reflects the need to strengthen employment-based training in Australia. The strengths and tradition of Australia's existing system must be built upon; inflexibilities that reduce options and choice must be removed. It is a four-stage process: development of policy principles, establishment of a…

A study examined existing partnerships between Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and industry in Australia and explored possible alternatives or additional mechanisms and structures for cooperating on course development and implementation. The 9-month investigation included a study of the use of joint facilities in five states, a study of…

This publication contains six essays that offer a range of practical and theoretical perspectives on work-related curriculum. It is part of the study materials for the one-semester distance education unit, Curriculum and Competencies, in the Open Campus Program at Deakin University (Australia). An introduction proposes a course design and pedagogy…

This guide is designed to help workplace trainers and curriculum writers to understand the role that language plays in vocational education and training, and to provide strategies to address language, literacy, and numeracy as part of the training provided. The guide is organized in four sections that cover the following: (1) learning about…

This resource kit, which is intended as a tool for training managers and training providers interested in planning language and literacy training programs for workplaces throughout Australia, consists of a magazine and three booklets detailing the following: the benefits of language and literacy training, sources of further information, and…

This book considers critically the many issues surrounding competency-based education and training (CBE/T) and provides practical advice on its appropriateness and application to educational and training programs. Part A places the whole issue of CBE/T in its appropriate contexts. Chapters 1-3 examine the concept of competence and its articulation…

Five reports present findings of research into professional development (PD) issues in vocational education and training (VET) in Australia. "Lessons Learnt: An Analysis of Findings of Recent Evaluation Reports on PD in VET" (Kate Perkins) provides an overview of issues, insights, and ideas emerging from past PD experience that may be…

This report compiles information from a study tour to identify the current status, development, and issues of nonprofit organizations with voluntary boards of management that provide adult and community-based education (ACE) in Australia. An overview of the community-based ACE sector covers organizations in South Australia, Western Australia,…

This document contains summaries of five workshops, each with several speakers, held at a conference on competency-based training (CBT) in Australia. The following are included in Session 1, Developing and Delivering CBT Programs: "Developing and Delivering CBT Programs--Opening Speech" (Steve McDonald); "Competency Standards and…

This publication is a resource for people who are involved in Australia's Framing the Future work-based learning project teams. It is a compendium that outlines project processes and provides useful hints and lessons learned by others through their experience. Six parts address the six steps in a project. Part 1, on the proposal, covers possible…