The number of post-degree certificate and diploma programs offered by British Columbia (BC) post-secondary institutions, in addition to enrolment in graduate and first professional degrees, is perceived to have grown considerably over the past decade. This growth, however, has not been previously studied in a systematic manner. This study involved…

The future of Australia's tertiary education sector is the subject of a new collection of essays by some of the country's leading education researchers. Produced by the Melbourne Centre for the Study of Higher Education at the University of Melbourne, "Visions for Australian Tertiary Education" presents a progressive and provocative…

The utilitarian spirit of Australian education has meant that since the nineteenth century the notion of tertiary education has embraced all post-school learning, delivered in sandstone universities or working men's institutes or on the job. This is not the definition the peak bodies TAFE (Technical and Further Education) Directors Australia (TDA)…

Much analysis of youth transitions focuses on the first year after education, or outcomes at a specific age. Such work looks, for example, at the effect of education on the likelihood of being employed or unemployed. This study takes a different angle by considering the effect of education on the persistence of labour market outcomes. For example,…

Australian (n=332) and British (n=234) students were asked what influenced their choice of academic or vocational education before they were employed, during employment, and for the future. Internal factors influenced academic choices; employers and funding influenced vocational choices. Some between-country and gender differences were found.…

An analysis of the economic returns of education in Australia finds a rising need for education at a time of diminishing apparent returns. It is proposed that the notions of credentialism and education as a positional good provide a better explanation for this phenomenon than does the human capital approach. (MSE)

The aim of this report was to quantify the benefit, in terms of higher wages, of completing a vocational education and training (VET) qualification. Two factors influenced the direction of this research. First of all, VET is concerned primarily with improvements in skill levels (with a likely consequence of improved productivity and therefore…

These proceedings contain 17 papers from plenary sessions, workshops, and other presentations at a conference to consider and clarify major issues in assessment and standards in vocational education and training, including identification of problems and suggested solutions. A summary of discussions follows most presentations. Plenary session…

The Certificates in General Education for Adults (CGEA) provide a range of educational opportunities for Australian adults who have not completed secondary education to improve their literacy, numeracy, and general education skills. The CGEA was first accredited in 1992 and is currently accredited for January 2002-December 2006. The CGEA is…