The concept of ‘STEM’ (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) has influenced many education and workforce strategies and policies. Generally, the focus has been on how the school and university sectors can help equip the workforce with the STEM-related skills and knowledge considered necessary for the changing economy. This paper explores ways to measure how the...

The federal government is finally moving to rein in the VET FEE-HELP vocational student loan scheme that has been widely rorted and has cost the budget billions of dollars. The scheme, introduced by the Gillard Government in 2012, completely deregulated fees, allowing providers to charge whatever they want. Over the years unscrupulous providers have signed...

This research aims to shed light on the role of private providers in delivering training to a particular cohort of learners - young people who have left school early. The authors surveyed 130 private ‘for profit’ registered training organisations (RTOs) to find out their perspectives on teaching and learning practices, engaging with early school leavers...

Given the changing policy environment in VET, NCVER considered it timely to look at the policy developments and participation trends over the last 20 years. This occasional paper examines two broad policy trends, the extension of the apprenticeship and traineeship system, and the opening up of the training market, as well as three specific policy...

Education is at the core of a thriving economy and while Australia has historically had a comparative advantage in its highly-educated workforce, this is being eroded. At the same time, the challenges posed by emerging technologies that threaten to make current skills obsolete pose a further threat to our workforce capabilities.