Latest research on VET and the future labour market
A series of research overviews on the future labour market in Australia and the implications for the vocational education and training system have been released.
The series, A Well-Skilled Future: Tailoring Vocational Education and Training to the Emerging Labour Market, is based on a major body of research managed by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research.
Undertaken by a consortium of researchers from the National Institute of Labour Studies and the Centre for Post-compulsory Education and Lifelong Learning, the research overviews summarise the key findings of the 15 projects that make up the body of work.
The projects cover topics including:
- future skill needs;
- skill shortages;
- changing forms of employment;
- participation in vocational education and training;
- TAFE inclusiveness strategies.
According to the research, addressing skill shortages into the future requires a sophisticated understanding of their causes and possible remedies.
A major challenge for employers will be adjusting to an older workforce. Employers will need to encourage older workers to undertake training by demonstrating a return on investment to the employee.
While employers have been containing costs by downsizing their workforces, hiring large numbers of casual workers and reducing their training investment, they are also demanding higher performing employees with cognitive and interactive skills, not just staff who are technically proficient.
For training policy-makers and providers, the research identifies a number of ways forward. These include:
- concentrating training efforts on the skills that are difficult to learn and are likely to grow in demand or where replacement vacancies are large;
- learning from successful regions, which combine local networks and positive community attitudes, and seek creative ways to work with employers;
- investing more resources in teaching higher-level qualifications.
For more information:
- phone the National Centre for Vocational Education Research on 08 8230 8400 or
- visit www.ncver.edu.au/publications