This study by Roger Harris, Michele Simons, Carmel McCarthy examines the nature of the training activity of private registered training organisations (RTOs) offered to Australian students in 2003, based on data from a national sample of 330 RTOs. The study also provides estimates of the private sector's overall contribution to the total vocational education and...

Key messages A systematic review of research is a decision-making tool for policy and practice. It is a piece of research in its own right, using explicit and rigorous methods that follow a standard set of stages. These methods identify, critically appraise and synthesise relevant research (both published and unpublished) around a specific research question...

Communication and other literacy skills are vital to public safety organisations. Christine Hayes, Barry Golding and Jack Harvey investigate the impact literacy levels may have on the ability of volunteers to meet demands for more formal training and assessment. They also consider the role of these organisations in developing the skills of people in rural...