Please find a number of research reports and documents pertaining to this topic area below.  If you know of another report or document you think should be housed in our research library please contact the BGK LLEN.

Title: Does combining school and work affect school and post-school outcomes?
Authors: Alison Anlezark and Patrick Lim
Source: Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth
Release Date: 2011
Description: In this report the authors seek to answer the question of whether combining school and work is detrimental or beneficial to a student's school educational performance and labour market outcomes. They find that young people who combine school and work are distributed right across the school population. Results show that individuals can combine school and work with minimal impact on their study if the hours are modest and those working longer hours show a stronger orientation towards work than study. The authors used data from the 2003 cohort (Y03) of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth.
Report download: Does combining school and work affect post-school outcomes?

Title: A shared responsibility – apprenticeships for the 21st century
Author: Australian Apprenticeships for the 21st Century Expert Panel
Source: Australian Government – Australian Apprenticeships
Release Date: 2011
Description: This report was commissioned by the Australian Government and directed by an Expert Panel appointed to identify ways in which the Australian Apprenticeship system could be enhanced for the future. This report contains a range of recommendations which are designed to achieve a high quality Australian Apprenticeships system, a system which will meet the skill needs for a changing Australian economy, as well as the aspirations and expectations of all of its participants. One of the key recommendations is in taking on a 'shared responsibility' for outcomes, by all stakeholders. The Expert Panel considered the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) commissioned research and other research sources to inform the report's recommendations.
Report download: A shared responsibility – apprenticeships for the 21st century

Title: Young people in education and training 2009
Author: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
Release Date: 2011
Description: This report provides a clear picture of how many young people studied in 2009 and where. Of the 1.1 million 15 to 19 year old students enrolled in education and training in 2009: 51% attended school; 12% undertook higher education; 6% studied at a VET provider, studying a vocational course other than an apprenticeship or traineeship; 5% undertook a trade apprenticeship or traineeship; and, 2% undertook a non-trade apprenticeship or traineeship.
Report download: Young people in education and training 2009

Title: How VET Responds – a historical policy approach
Author: Robin Ryan
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
Release Date: 2011
Description: This document is an analysis of how policy has interacted with vocational education and training (VET) in Australia, with a particular focus on the period since the 1980s. It is accompanied by a timeline which sets out key policy documents that shaped the development of the VET system and by a list of Australian Prime Ministers and Labour Ministers (1940 to present), and Education Ministers and Industrial Relations Ministers (1960 to present). 
Report download: How VET Responds – a historical policy approach

Title: VET in Schools 2009
Author: National Centre for Vocational Education Research
Release Date: 2010
Description:  Information is presented in this publication about senior secondary school students undertaking vocational education and training (VET) through the program known as VET in Schools during 2009. It includes information on participation, students, courses and qualifications, and subjects.
Document link:  VET in Schools 2009

Title: Principles of Applied Learning (poster)
Author: Victorian Applied Learning Association
Release Date: 2010
Description: This poster presents the eight principles of applied learning as a one page A4 poster with colour illustrations. It could be displayed in the class or staff room, or used inside a teaching folder as a handy reference point.
Document download: Principles of Applied Learning (poster)

Title: The impact of VET in Schools on the intentions and achievements of young people
Author: Nhi Nguyen
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
Release Date: 2010
Description: This briefing paper assesses the effect VET in Schools programs have on school retention, post-school vocational education and training (VET) and employment, and on young people's school and post-school aspirations. VET in Schools programs are seen as a way to increase Year 12 retention through broadening subject choices in the school curriculum. Research based on the LSAY suggest that, while participation in these programs has positive effects on attitudes to and satisfaction with school, it does not necessarily lead to increased Year 12 retention. However, participation in VET in Schools can influence a small group of students, who are intent on getting a job straight after school, to change their post-school plans to include further VET study or an apprenticeship or traineeship.
Report download: The impact of VET in Schools on the intentions and achievements of young people

Title: Australian vocational education and training statistics - apprentice and trainee destinations 2010
Author: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
Release Date: 2011
Description: This survey collects information about the destinations of apprentices and trainees approximately nine months after leaving their training. Information was collected on employment outcomes, reasons for non-completion, satisfaction with the apprenticeship or traineeship, and further study destinations.
Report download: Australian vocational education and training statistics - apprentice and trainee destinations 2010

Title: Apprenticeships and traineeships – participation, progress and completion
Author: John Ainley et.al
Source: Longitudinal Studies of Australian Youth (LSAY)
Release Date:  2010
Description: This briefing paper draws together findings from two LSAY research reports: 'Participation in and progress through New Apprenticeships'; and the 'VET pathways taken by school leavers'. These two reports use data obtained from young people who were in Year 9 at school in 1995 and whose educational and occupational activities were traced each year thereafter. Student characteristics, fields of training, commencement and completion rates, and reasons for discontinuing are all explored.
Report download: Apprenticeships and traineeships – participation, progress and completion

Title: Australian vocational education and training statistics: VET in Schools 2006
Source: National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER)
Author: NCVER
Release Date: June 2009
Description: This report presents information about senior secondary school students undertaking vocational education and training (VET) through the program known as VET in Schools during 2006. It includes information on participation, students, courses and qualifications, and subjects.
Report Download: Australian vocational education and training statistics: VET in Schools 2006

Title: The female 'tradie': Challenging employment perceptions in non-traditional trades for women
Author: Fiona Shewring
Source: NCVER
Release Date: 9 February 2009
Description: The place of women in the manual trades is examined in this paper, which sets out strategies for encouraging them to study and work in areas such as building and construction. Such strategies include introductory and pre-apprenticeships courses, clustering female students, and support from teachers in opening up job opportunities. This paper is the result of a 2008 NCVER New Researcher Award.
Report Download: The female 'tradie': Challenging employment perceptions in non-traditional trades for women

Title: Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) Report 52: VET Pathways Taken by School Leavers
Authors: David D. Curtis
Source: ACER
Release Date: September 2008
Description: This study suggests school leavers' participation in VET programs improves employment prospects and earnings, but completing a program confers additional labour force advantages. The results vary by gender. Traineeships are particularly important post-school pathways for Indigenous Australians and for those living in rural and remote areas. The study underlines the importance of career advice in the early years of secondary schooling, when students form intentions about their future study and work.
Report Download: LSAY Report 52: VET Pathways Taken by School Leavers

Title: Facing Up to Australia's Skills Challenge
Author: Australian Industry Group, Australian Council of Trade Unions, Australian Education Union, Group Training Australia, Dusseldorp Skills Forum
Source: Dusseldorp Skills Forum  
Release Date: April 2008
Description: Ahead of the 2020 Summit, key national stakeholders outline 10 priorities required to help shape an adaptable workforce, develop a truly innovative Australian enterprise culture, and provide the high quality vocational learning Australia needs.
Report Download: Facing Up to Australia's Skills Challenge 

Title: Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2007
Author: NCVER
Release Date: March 2008
Description: Research messages 2007 is a collection of summaries of all research projects published by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research in 2007, including conference papers and occasional papers. It also has an overview of the research highlights for the year. The summaries are clustered under five broad themes used by NCVER to organise its VET research and analysis: Industry and employers; Students and individuals; Teaching and learning; VET system; and VET in context.
Report download: Australian vocational education and training: Research messages 2007 

Title: Did you Know? A guide to vocational education and training in Australia
Author: NCVER  
Release Date: August 2007
Description: The publication is aimed at those with little or no knowledge of Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system. It provides some basic information about what it is, why people choose it and who does so, as well as who funds it, how and where it is taught and what qualifications it offers. It also provides a useful list of organisations and information services linked with the VET system. The guide is useful for people interested in understanding Australia's VET system, international visitors interested or involved in VET, people from industry, those who need to explain the system to others, such as policy-makers, VET providers and career counsellors, and those exploring their further study options.
Report Download: Did you Know? A guide to vocational education and training in Australia

Title: At a glance: The role of VET in helping young people's transition into work
Author: Davinia Woods
Source: NCVER  
Release Date: March 2007
Description: The recent research on the role that vocational education and training (VET) plays in assisting the transition from school to work for young people up to 24 years of age is summarised in this 'at a glance' publication.
Report Link: At a Glance...  

Report Title: VCAL Changing Lanes
Author: Helen Stokes, University of Melbourne
Source: Dusseldorp Skills Forum
Date: 2005
Description: This report provides an overview of the operation of VCAL, and then outlines one example of a local initiative within VCAL that has been encouraged by that support for diversity, to offer a community-based 'satellite' VCAL for young people who were out of schools and/or whose needs were not currently being met by mainstream schooling.
Report Download: VCAL Changing Lanes

Report Title: Learning and Training in School-based New Apprenticeships
Author: Erica Smith, Lou Wilson
Source: NCVER  
Date: January 2003
Description: What motivates school students to undertake school-based new apprenticeships and how satisfied are they with the outcomes? The students themselves answer these questions in this report on the findings of a survey of school-based new apprentices in three Australian states. Questions cover the students' appreciation of the quality of learning and training they received, the effectiveness of work experience, how it influenced their career decisions, the effects on their studies at school and the students' views on workplace learning in a variety of industries.
Report Download: Learning and Training in School-based New Apprenticeships