• Productivity Commission

29 April 2010On 22 April 2010, the Productivity Commission received a terms of reference from the Australian Government asking it to undertake a commissioned study of the education and training workforce. Read the terms of reference.

The study's focus is on the issues impacting on the workforces of the following sectors:

• Vocational education and training (VET)
• Early childhood development (ECD)
• Schools.

The Commission has been asked to consider and provide advice on:

• The current and future demand for the workforces, and the mix of knowledge and     skills required to meet service need
• The current and future supply of the workforces
• The structure and mix of the workforces and their efficiency and effectiveness
• Workforce planning and development in the short, medium and long-term
• Whether sectoral boundaries limit innovation and flexibility in workforce planning, development and practices.

In addition to the issues above, the Commission has been asked to give consideration to factors that have a particular impact on each of the sectors covered by the study.

The study's initial focus is on the Vocational Education and Training sector. A report on this sector will be submitted to the Australian Government in April 2011.

The study of the Early Childhood Development sector will commence in detail in October 2010 and report in October 2011. The Schools workforce study will commence in detail in April 2011 and report in April 2012. By registering your interest now, you will be informed of when studies of your sector/s of interest commence.

Further information

• New Study to Investigate the Needs of Australia’s Child Care, Education and Training Sectors - Joint media release from the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Treasurer (external link)
• About the commissioned study process
• About the Vocational Education and Training study