Description This paper looks at firms’ motivation for training apprentices in both Australia and Germany. The study explores how these countries compare when dealing with their respective institutional arrangements for apprenticeship training. It then analyses Australian employer's commitment to training based on changes to incentive payments in Australia. Overall, the paper finds that institutional frameworks...

With growing recognition of the extent to which work, mental health and wellbeing intersect, it is important to understand the critical role effective apprenticeship support arrangements play in helping Australia's youth make the transition from school to work. This study considers how pastoral care, mentoring and other forms of social support contribute to apprenticeships. In...

Formal mentoring is an important aspect of apprenticeships; however, it is also informal mentoring — practices that are difficult to formally nurture — that plays a significant and effective role in supporting the overall wellbeing of an apprentice. This good practice guide is designed to help employers think about and provide work-based social support structures...

The aim of this paper is to summarise and provide analyses of the considerable body of research that investigates the costs and benefits of vocational education and training (VET). It does so from three different perspectives; the government, business and the individual. This paper considers a broad array of costs and benefits accruing to each...

Summary The paper tracks the development of the Australian vocational education and training (VET) provider market over the last two decades in the context of significant policy changes and generally increased competition. It provides an insight into how the sector has arrived at its current position, painting a present-day picture of great diversity. More importantly...