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The topic of more frequent and timely vocational education and training (VET) data has been an issue of interest for a number of years. Since 2015, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) has collected and reported data on government-funded students and courses on a quarterly basis. These quarterly data submissions are cumulative and allow additional data to be reported and corrections made to previously submitted data. The first year of quarterly reporting has provided a useful insight into how training activity is reported by the different jurisdictions over a calendar year. This paper presents the results of some initial analysis of that data using the reporting scope that was in place for 2015 reporting, broadly defined as all activity delivered by government providers and government-funded activity delivered by community education and other registered providers.

This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides employment information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]

This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides social information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974).]

This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides post-school information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see (ED536971). For other support documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]

This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides school and school transition information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]

This is a support document to the "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide" report. Developed for users of LSAY, the user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. This support document provides demographics information for the guide. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide. Technical Paper 74," see ED536971. For other supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]

Developed for users of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this user guide consolidates information about the LSAY 2009 cohort into one document. The guide aims to address all aspects of the LSAY data including: how to access the data; data restrictions; variable naming conventions; the structure of the data; documentation; classifications and code frames used; weights; and derived variables. Updates to the Y09 data file are appended. (Contains 14 tables, 9 figures and 6 footnotes.) [For supporting documents, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements A--Demographics. Technical Paper 74A" (ED536979); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B1--Education (School and School Transition). Technical Paper 74B1" (ED536973); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements B2--Education (Post-School). Technical Paper 74B2" (ED536975); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements C--Employment. Technical Paper 74C" (ED536974); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) 2009 Cohort User Guide: Data Elements D--Social. Technical Paper 74D" (ED536972).]

The Student Outcomes Survey is an annual national survey of vocational education and training (VET) students. Since 1995, participants have been asked to rate their satisfaction with different aspects of their training, grouped under three main themes: teaching, assessment, and generic skills and learning experiences. While the composition of the bank of satisfaction questions has remained fairly constant over time and the suitability of the three overarching satisfaction categories has been validated statistically on several occasions, little progress has been made on creating summary measures that encapsulate the three main themes of student satisfaction. Such summary measures would be much more useful to researchers than responses to the bank of 19 satisfaction questions, which are very detailed. This paper compares three methods of creating a composite score and evaluates their statistical veracity. These methods are Rasch analysis, weighted means and simple means. This report finds that all three methods yield similar results and so recommends using the simple means method to create the summary measures. (Contains 7 tables, 2 figures and 2 footnotes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.]

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to NCVER (National Centre for Vocational Education Research) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as Collection 2, Collection 3 and so on. NCVER publishes data on the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, re-commence, expire or suspend and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts in training at a given time can be calculated. Due to time delays in reporting data on the status of contracts to NCVER, the most recent data are estimated. Further details regarding this methodology are provided in the technical paper produced by NCVER, Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics, which can be found at http://www.ncver.edu.au/publications/2267.html. The purpose of this technical paper is to document the adjustments that are made to the estimates at each collection, and produce a cumulative document of these adjustments, commencing at Collection 60, June 2009 estimates. (Contains 15 figures.) [For the main report, "Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics: Apprentices and Trainees. September Quarter, 2010", see ED516870.]

Despite significant improvements in the areas of education and employment, the gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth remain. Across some indicators--for example, university participation--the gap has actually widened. This is mainly because improvements for non-Indigenous young people have matched or surpassed the gains made by Indigenous young people. Governments at both federal and state levels are striving to improve Indigenous people's educational attainment and employment participation. The consistently lower scores in reading and maths assessments achieved by Indigenous youth have meant that improving their performance in literacy and numeracy has become one of the key target areas on the national agenda to assist in closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), this briefing paper explores the impact of literacy and numeracy levels on the educational gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth. The paper focuses on the early post-school outcomes of Indigenous and non-Indigenous young people between 1999 and 2007. Appendices include: (1) Measuring the Gap; and (2) Additional Table. (Contains 11 tables and 3 footnotes.)

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the state and territory training authorities to the National Centre for Vocational Education and Training (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as collection 2, collection 3 and so on. At the time of writing, the set of data being submitted is for the June 2009 quarter and is referred to as collection 60. Of particular interest are the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, recommence, expire or suspend, and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts "in-training" at a given time can be calculated. The purpose of this technical paper is to describe: (1) the way data accumulate over many collections; (2) how items derived from the data change as the data accumulate; (3) the endorsed estimation method (developed from the analysis of the above); (4) the formulae for calculating the required estimates; and (5) potential weaknesses in the method. Supporting data is appended. (Contains 4 tables, 8 figures and 1 footnote.) [This paper is an updated version of the "Estimation of Apprentice and Trainee Statistics. Technical Paper" report. For the original paper, see ED510131.]

To what extent do local governments use vocational education and training as a staff retention strategy? Human resources personnel from a selection of councils around Australia believed that a lack of career development or training opportunities might cause an employee to leave their organisation. They had some reservations about the quality and value of VET, but planned to continue to use it for staff development as it is the most widely available option. This paper is by a novice researcher from the Community of Practice program, which is part of NCVER's Building Researcher Capacity initiatives. The research for this paper was undertaken while the author worked as National Workforce Development Advisor at Government Skills Australia. The paper investigates the extent to which local government councils offer vocational education and training as a strategy to retain their employees. The study comprised interviews with key human resource personnel in 14 councils around Australia, as well as an analysis of council records on staff training and turnover. Appended are: (1) Interview questions; and (2) Turnover data analysis by council. (Contains 9 tables and 10 footnotes.)

There are many factors which might cause a student to drop out of a course of study; some of these are preventable. This paper describes the piloting of a survey tool designed to identify students at risk of not completing. Attendance was found to be the strongest predictor of module completion; low or declining scores on the survey were also predictive of students dropping out. The research for this paper was undertaken by a novice researcher in the Community of Practice Scholarship Program, which is funded through National Centre for Vocational Education Research's (NCVER's) Building Researcher Capacity initiative. Appended are: (1) Defining completion; (2) Surveys; (3) Comments from student surveys; and (4) Correlation values--survey scores (all measures). (Contains 5 tables, 7 figures, and 6 footnotes.)

Taking a gap year--a break between high school and university--is becoming increasingly popular with Australian students. In terms of length and purpose, the traditional notion of a gap year being a year off between school and university has expanded considerably over time. For the purposes of the analysis reported in this paper, a person who takes a gap year is defined as "an individual who commenced university one to two years after completing Year 12. This includes those who accept and defer their university placement for one to two years" (Curtis, Mlotkowski & Lumsden 2012). Highlights of this report include: (1) In Australia the incidence of taking a gap year has increased from 10% in the period 1999-2000 to 24% in 2009-10; (2) The top four primary activities undertaken by gap students in 2009-10 were work (51%), full-time study leading to a non-university qualification (10%), other study (6%), and travel (6%); (3) Characteristics of gap-takers include: (a) being academically less inclined than non-gap-takers; (b) living in regional locations when at school; (c) having English speaking backgrounds; (d) being employed when in Year 12 at school; and (e) being less likely to receive Youth Allowance payments while at school; (4) In their first year of university, gap-takers are more likely to study in the areas of education and creative arts; and (5) Those who don't take a gap year are substantially more likely at age 24 to be employed full-time and to work in professional occupations than gap-takers. Much of this difference can be attributed to the fact that, in terms of their careers, gap-takers are a year or two behind those who don't take a gap year. The data do not allow the authors to measure the longer-term outcomes of both groups because the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) stops at age 25. Appended are: (1) Gap year definitions; and (2) LSAY cohorts sample sizes and durations. (Contains 13 tables.) [For "Bridging the Gap: Who Takes a Gap Year and Why? Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth. Research Report," see ED533077.]

This paper was originally developed to help the Training and Skills Commission in South Australia consider the pathways between elements of the vocational education and training (VET) system, how they are working and what improvements can be made. It has been revised to make it national in scope. The authors reveal that quite substantial numbers of VET graduates go on to university level study or further study within VET itself. Significant numbers of university graduates also go on to study in VET. However, not all VET graduates choose to study at a higher level; a substantial proportion of students going on to further study do so at the same or lower level. This suggests that entitlement models need to consider horizontal (skills broadening) as well as vertical (only qualifications at a higher level) in their funding mix. Additional data tables are appended. (Contains 13 tables and 2 footnotes.)

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as Collection 2, Collection 3 and so on. NCVER publishes data on the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, re-commence, expire or suspend and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts in training at a given time can be calculated. Due to time delays in reporting data on the status of contracts to NCVER, the most recent data are estimated. The purpose of this technical paper is to document the adjustments that are made to the estimates at each collection, and produce a cumulative document of these adjustments, commencing at Collection 60, June 2009 estimates. (Contains 12 figures.) [For the accompanying report, "Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics: Apprentices and Trainees. Annual, 2009", see ED510873.]

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to NCVER (National Centre for Vocational Education Research) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as Collection 2, Collection 3 and so on. At the time of writing, the set of data being submitted is for the June 2009 quarter and is referred to as Collection 60. Of particular interest is the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, re-commence, expire or suspend and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts in training at a given time can be calculated. The purpose of this technical paper is to describe: (1) the way data accumulate over many collections; (2) how items derived from the data change as the data accumulates; (3) the endorsed estimation method (developed from the analysis of the above); (4) the formulae for calculating the required estimates; and (5) potential weaknesses in the method. Throughout the main text of this document data for New South Wales commencements and expired contracts are used as examples to illustrate the concepts being discussed. Supporting data is appended. A glossary is included. (Contains 4 tables and 8 figures.) [For the accompanying report, "Apprentices and Trainees: December Quarter, 2009", see ED510135.]

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as Collection 2, Collection 3 and so on. NCVER publishes data on the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, re-commence, expire or suspend and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts in training at a given time can be calculated. Due to time delays in reporting data on the status of contracts to NCVER, the most recent data are estimated. The purpose of this technical paper is to document the adjustments that are made to the estimates at each collection, and produce a cumulative document of these adjustments, commencing at Collection 60, June 2009 estimates. (Contains 6 figures.) [For the accompanying report, "Apprentices and Trainees: September Quarter 2009," see ED508817.]

This paper investigates change in employer satisfaction with vocational education and training (VET) between the years 2005 and 2009. Employer satisfaction was measured using the Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System, conducted biennially since 2005. Key measures from the survey are employer satisfaction with: vocational qualifications as a job requirement; apprentices and trainees; and nationally recognised training. To determine whether the distribution of responding employers accounts for the large differences in survey estimates, employer satisfaction is modelled taking into account the size and industry of responding employers. Appended are: (1) Differences in the survey estimates; and (2) Regression results. (Contains 11 tables and 3 figures.)

Lower-level qualifications (certificate I and II programs) provide little or no immediate return to the individual in terms of increased wages. However, lower-level qualifications are intended to prepare students who would otherwise not be capable of enrolling in and completing a higher-level qualification or making a successful transition into the workplace, because of their ability, social circumstances, or previous educational experiences. The aim of this report is to test whether lower-level qualifications serve a broader purpose by functioning as a "stepping stone" to further study or into the labour market. The critical part of the methodology is the selection of the comparison group. Using data from the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY), the research matches certificate I and II graduates to other young people who share similar characteristics but who have neither completed nor are undertaking study or training at a higher level. The report compares their further study, training, employment and overall wellbeing outcomes two years after graduation and at age 26. The findings do not relate to certificate I or II qualifications completed as part of an apprenticeship or traineeship. Appended are: (1) Characteristics of certificate I and II students; and (2) Statistical methodology. (Contains 19 tables.)

This report reviews the use of loans for learning in 33 European countries and analyses the schemes in eight selected Member States: France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Finland, Sweden and the UK. The analysis shows that loan schemes vary considerably across Europe in terms of types and levels of learning covered, conditions of access, repayment and governance. Some loans aim to increase participation in learning in general, while others are designed to promote equity. The report attempts to assess the selected loans and discusses their strengths and weaknesses and determinants of performance, while considering if a given scheme operates on a large scale or targets niche groups. The evaluation results provide a basis for identifying good practice principles for designing and implementing loans. Policy recommendations are formulated based on these findings. Annexed are: (1) Methodology; (2) Key terms and definitions; (3) Information on countries/schemes selected for in-depth analysis; (4) Proposed typologies of VET loan schemes; (5) Tables and figures; (6) Tosmana truth tables; (7) Questionnaires; (8) Basic characteristics of non-European loan schemes. (Contains 37 tables, 5 figures, 20 boxes and 33 footnotes.)

This technical paper examines some large and unusual movements for data in the 2007 VET (Vocational Education Training) Provider Collection by comparison with 2006. Changes in the patterns of courses undertaken explain most of the divergence between students, enrolments and hours. Appendices include: (1) Derivation of the decomposition; (2) Tables of enrolment growth and its effects--2006-2007; and (3) Reporting hours and enrolments for common, new and ceased modules by state. (Contains 48 tables and 1 footnote.) [This work has been produced by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on behalf of the Australian Government and state and territory governments with funding provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relation.]

This research used a survey to investigate the attitudes of people with a disability towards undertaking training. The findings show very positive attitudes towards training by participants and, although the ability to generalise to the wider population is limited, one thing is clear: generally, people with a disability are willing to undertake vocational education and training (VET) and consider it a good option in helping them find employment. Some factors affected attitudes more than others, including level of school-based education; highest qualification level completed; whether people had single or multiple disabilities; and, to some extent, gender. (Contains 10 tables and 1 footnote.)

This paper investigates large differences in employer satisfaction with vocational education and training (VET) between 2005 and 2007. Employer satisfaction was measured using the Survey of Employer Use and Views of the VET System, which was first conducted in 2005 and repeated in 2007. It measures employer satisfaction with vocational qualifications as a job requirement, apprentices and trainees, and nationally recognised training. Differences in weighted estimates of employer satisfaction were examined in light of sample sizes and the distribution of employers' responses to the survey. A model-based approach to estimation was used, which accounted for the relationship between satisfaction and the size and industry of the employer. Key findings included: (1) In three out of five cases, the large differences in employer satisfaction between years were found to be real and not as a result of the structure of the sample; (2) In the remaining two cases, the differences in employer satisfaction were found not to be significant. This suggested that the structure of the sample had the potential to reveal differences that did not hold up under closer scrutiny; and (3) Survey estimates of large differences between years need to be treated with some caution and a model-based approach to estimation provides a tool to give assurance that large differences are real and not a result of peculiarities in the sample. An appendix, comprising the majority of the report, provides the regression results. (Contains 7 tables.) [This work has been produced by the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) as a joint initiative of the Australian Government and state and territory governments, with funding provided through the Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]

Migration patterns to and from Australia are becoming complex with migration programmes increasingly targeted towards meeting the needs of the labour market and regional development. This paper provides an analysis of the permanent and temporary movements of people to and from Australia in the last three years and their impact on the skilled labour supply in Australia. The paper also provides an analysis of occupational mobility of permanent immigrants. The results are consistent with previously published results of initial downward occupational mobility among immigrants. The consequence of this is wastage of skills which the country can least afford in times of reported skills shortages. Skills wastage can be minimised by making available to newly arrived immigrants appropriate programmes for recognising previously acquired qualifications and occupational licenses; updating occupation-specific skills; and providing up-to-date information on the labour market and its operation. In this respect, the TAFE (Technical and Further Education) system in Australia is uniquely placed to play a key role. (Contains 7 footnotes, 1 figure, and 21 tables.)

Apprentice and trainee data are reported by the State and Territory Training Authorities to National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER) on a quarterly basis, starting at the September quarter of 1994. The set of data submitted that quarter is referred to as Collection 1. The sets of data submitted in subsequent quarters are referred to as Collection 2, Collection 3 and so on. NCVER publishes data on the numbers of contracts of training that commence, complete, cancel/withdraw, re-commence, expire or suspend and the time at which these events occur (referred to as the "date of effect"). From these events, the number of contracts in training at a given time can be calculated. Due to time delays in reporting data on the status of contracts to NCVER, the most recent data are estimated. This technical note provides a cumulative record of the adjustment notes relevant for the estimation of apprentice and trainee figures at each collection. This document commences with the adjustment note for Collection 64 (June 2010 estimates used to produce the March quarter 2010 publication). (Contains 15 figures.) [This is a support document for "Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics: Apprentices and Trainees, March Quarter 2010"]

This paper provides an analysis of revenue for and expenditure on Australian education institutions. It includes a review of funding from public and private sources and from overseas. Analyses are made for education as a whole and for the major sectors: schools, vocational education and training (VET) and higher education. Estimates are considered in current and constant prices. Analysis is made of changes in expenditure per student or hour of training. Consideration is given to non-institutional expenditures including student assistance and employer expenditures. In the last few years expenditures on educational institutions have grown in real terms by about 2 per cent per annum. Private expenditure and expenditure by overseas students have grown faster than public expenditure, though part of the expansion of private expenditures has been financed by government, such as grants to non-government institutions and advances to support the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS). Most of the additional resources for education have gone to schooling. On average, both government and non-government schools have experienced continuing substantial growth in real expenditure per student. The total real resources in VET in 2001 were about the same as in 1997 but hours of training had increased by about 4 per cent per annum. There are various ways in which efficiencies have been pursued to offset the effects of the apparent reduction in resources per hour. An increased proportion of expenditure in this period went to non-TAFE (Technical and Further Education) providers and, as with universities, there was a reduction in the share of expenditure on personnel. In higher education there has been little growth in publicly funded Australian student numbers in recent years and a small decline in real public funding per student. The most notable changes are the continued growth in the proportion of the public expenditures funded through HECS and the expansion in fee paying overseas students and Australian students in postgraduate courses. The decline in staffing ratios in higher education is significantly larger than the decline in funding per student. The gap is a matter for further analysis. An appendix, The Nature of the VET Financial Data, is included. (Contains 9 footnotes and 32 tables.)

This project, conducted by the Centre for the Economics of Education and Training (CEET) during 2003, set out to investigate the relationship between innovation and the provision of appropriate education and training in regional Australia. The project was designed as a pilot study with two main purposes: (1) To test whether and how the issues could be investigated, with the aim of using the findings as a basis for larger and more comprehensive studies in the future; and (2) To collect and analyse information about innovation and the provision of relevant education and training in some specific regions that would advance understanding of the major concerns and issues, both within the particular area and more generally in regional Australia. The Gannawarra Shire of northern Victoria was chosen for this pilot study because contacts made in the Shire indicated considerable support for investigating the issues and offered opportunities for access to local government, enterprises and training providers. Preliminary discussions and examination of published material also indicated substantial innovation in the region. The project comprised a search for sources of information about the Gannawarra region including geography, population, industries and employment; analysis of this material to gain an understanding of the major characteristics of the region; consultations with relevant people and organisations within and outside the region; and a survey of individuals and enterprises on the Gannawarra Business Register. Opportunities for presenting the preliminary and final survey results within the Shire to local enterprises and training providers enabled the findings to be discussed and contributed to ongoing refinement of the conclusions. Key findings include: (1) Considerable innovation is occurring in the industries and enterprises of Gannawarra, contributing to changes in the types of training being sought; (2) A balance of formal and informal provision of education and training in Gannawarra, although further investigation is recommended to determine that the balance is optimal to needs; and (3) Establishment of Local Learning and Employment Networks (LLENs) by the Victorian Government has been successful in strengthening relationships between educational providers, communities and industry in Gannawarra. Two attachments are included: (1) Regional Development, Skill Needs and Training Questionnaire; and (2) Initiatives of the LLENs in Gannawarra Shire. (Contains 10 figures and 40 tables.)

The Career Interest Test (third edition) is a 63-item forced choice and individually administered instrument of 7 vocational interest categories: Outdoor, Practical, Scientific, Creative, Business, Office, and People Contact. The test is designed for use in vocational contexts as a practical guide to educational and vocational planning. The item content has been revised from the 1988 edition and subsequent revisions. The Career Interest Test is now made freely available. Descriptive data on some 900 Australian high school students and occupational data are available together with information relating to the reliability and concurrent validity of the results. This manual replaces the earlier version. (Contains 12 tables, 6 figures, and 16 references.) (Author/SLD)

An exploratory study was the first part of an extensive study of retention in vocational education and training (VET) modules in Australia. These four major categorical variables were used to explore patterns in the withdrawal rate: year, gender, state/territory, and area of study/discipline. Withdrawal rates declined significantly from 1995-97. The rate at which males and females failed to complete modules differed by slightly less than 1 percent. Differences among states and territories were quite marked--from a withdrawal rate of just over 4 percent in South Australia to more than 21 percent in the Australian Capital Territory. Area of study also greatly affected withdrawal. Differences varied from a low 8.3 percent in Built Environment to a high 18.1 percent for Humanities. Data showed a significant inverse relationship between withdrawal rates for males and females across disciplines. Females had withdrawal rates higher than males in states where withdrawal rates were relatively low; this reversed in states where withdrawal rates are relatively high. A range of methods were explored to understand the interactions among these four variables: hierarchical breakdown analyses; additive analyses (analysis of variance, logit analysis, iterative fits); and weighted net percentage difference analyses. It was found that gender played a role in withdrawal rates only through its mediation by other variables, and that discipline had an important role. (Contains 16 references, 14 tables, and 9 figures.) (YLB)

The relationship between prior educational attainment and participation in formal and On-the-Job Training (OJT) in Australia was examined through an analysis of unit record data from the 1993 Survey of Training and Education that was conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. Univariate analyses were performed to document employee participation by level of educational attainment in three different types of training activities: external training, in-house training, and OJT. Multivariate analyses were then conducted to separate the effect of educational attainment from other variables (for example, age and occupation) that might affect training participation. Educational attainment was found to have a significant impact on employee participation in both formal and on-the-job training. Low levels of participation in training were particularly evident for individuals who had not completed secondary school and who held no postschool educational qualifications. Females, individuals in the 30-44 age bracket, individuals born in Australia or other English-speaking countries, individuals with their current employer for fewer than 3 years, individuals working in the public sector, and full-time employees in nonmetropolitan rural locations were most likely to participate in training. (Five tables and two graphs constitute approximately 50% of this document. (Contains 16 references.) (MN)

This combination report/guide summarizes practical "how-to" information on the development and operation of national training boards that was gathered in a series of case studies of the effectiveness of national training boards in Canada, Singapore, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and in studies of training boards in Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Germany, and South Africa. The introductory chapter describes the research on which the guide is based, discusses common themes affecting the quality of training in the countries studied, and examines the rationale for training programs. Chapter 2 summarizes the subsequent discussion of the effectiveness of national training boards in the form of a checklist and guidelines for use by countries considering establishing a national training board. Chapters 3-9 synthesize research findings into practical recommendations dealing with the following aspects of initiating and operating national training boards: enabling legislation, training board composition, training board structure, financial resources, delivery of training, institutional planning and operations, and testing and certification. Chapters 10 and 11, which are more analytical than the chapters preceding them, examine the perception and images of national training boards and lessons learned from the case studies. Contains 59 references. (MN)

The combination of work and study has been hailed as crucial to ensure that youth develop the skills required on the labour market so that transitions from school to work are shorter and smoother. This paper fills an important gap in availability of internationally-comparable data. Using the 2012 Survey of Adult Skills (PIAAC), it draws a comprehensive picture of work and study in 23 countries/regions. Crucially, it decomposes the total share of working students by the context in which they work (VET [vocational education and training], apprenticeships or private arrangements) and assesses the link between field of study and students' work. The paper also assesses how the skills of students are used in the workplace compared to other workers and identifies the socio-demographic factors and the labour market institutions that increase the likelihood of work and study. Finally, while it is not possible to examine the relationship between work and study and future labour market outcomes at the individual level, some aggregate correlations are unveiled.

This technical paper details the derived variables developed for users of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) data. These variables fall into the categories of education, employment and social, and help to simplify the use of the data by providing useful indicators for analysis. This paper provides descriptions, formats and additional notes for each variable, as well as the SAS syntax used to create the derived variables for the LSAY 2009 commencing cohort.

This publication presents information on tertiary education and training during 2010, including statistics on participation and outcomes. The definition of tertiary education and training adopted for this publication is formal study in vocational education and training (VET) and higher education, including enrolments in Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) certificate I qualifications through to doctorates by research, as well as enrolments in non-AQF courses and single vocational subjects. This paper reports that in 2010: (1) there were 1.8 million vocational education and training (VET) students and 1.2 million higher education students; and (2) there were 1.5 million equivalent full-time students in tertiary education and training. This comprised: (a) 655 800 equivalent full-time students reported in the VET sector; and (b) 861 500 equivalent full-time students reported in the higher education sector. (Contains 19 tables and 20 notes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. For 2009 edition, see ED521475.]

The Australian Education Union (AEU) commissioned the Monash University-ACER Centre for the Economics of Education and Training (CEET) to review funding and staffing for VET (vocational education and training), and especially for TAFE (technical and further education), in the context of the recently set COAG (Council of Australian Governments) targets for educational attainment. The paper is motivated by the apparent increase in VET provision implied by government educational attainment targets in the context of stable or declining funding for VET and the conclusion that funding needs to increase if the targets are to be met. The topics canvassed include: (1) The decline in funding levels for public VET; (2) The government targets for increased levels of educational attainment in the population and the workforce; (3) Increased demand for the different types of educational qualifications; and (4) The implications for future funding for VET. (Contains 11 tables, 1 figure and 20 footnotes.) [This paper was prepared for The Australian Education Union.]

Helping Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job-seekers find and keep a job has been the focus of recent reforms announced by the Australian Government. This guide describes seven essential characteristics of employment service organisations that lead to successful employment outcomes for their Indigenous clients. Based on a selection of good-practice examples, the guide describes how these factors are implemented in practice, with the aim to enable other employment services providers to build their own capacity to provide positive employment outcomes for their Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. (Contains 1 figure and 1 footnote.) [This paper was developed in conjunction with the National Vocational Education and Training (VET) Indigenous Advisory Taskforce. Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]

Understanding Australia's vocational education and training (VET) system can be daunting for observers. This paper, written as a background paper for a visit from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), describes Australia's VET system and how it relates to the broader set of education and learning options that are available to Australians. A section that lists statistical tables and attachments is appended. (Contains 1 box, 7 figures, 10 footnotes, and 24 tables.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.]

This technical paper contains information about the variables in the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) Year 1998 cohort data set. It groups each variable into data elements which identifies common variables within and across waves. Information is provided about each data element including its purpose, values, base populations and relevant notes. This paper focuses on the demographics of the participants. [For the main report, see ED507545.]

This publication is part of the study materials for the distance education course, Curriculum and Competencies, in the Open Campus Program at Deakin University. It contains 39 papers on the nature, historical development, and delivery of competency-based training (CBT) and on the Australian and international debates surrounding CBT. The following papers are included: "Introduction to the Discourse on Competency-Based Training (CBT)" (Brown); "Competency-Based Education" (Spady); "Competency-Based Approach to Education and Training" (Blank); "Competency-Based Training Programs" (Foyster); "Aspects of the Framework for the Implementation of a Competency-Based Vocational Education and Training System" (VEETAC [Vocational Education, Employment, and Training Advisory Council]);"History of the Objectives Movement in Education" (Davies); "Educational Responses to the Concern for Proficiency" (Neumann); "Competence-Based Education and Training" (Tuxworth); "From Novice to Expert" (Benner); "Concept of Competence" (Jessup); "Competency-Based Training" (Thomson); "Standards and Training" (National Training Board, Rumsey, Cooper, Haines); "Statewide System for Competency-Based Instruction" (Blank); "Developing a Coherent National Framework of Qualifications" (Jessup); "Developing New Competencies for Workplace Education" (Mawer); "National Training Reform Agenda and Enterprise Bargaining" (Mansfield); "Critical Analysis of Competency-Based Systems in Adult Education" (Collins); "In Search of a Real Analysis" (Parker); "Rebuttal to: A Critical Analysis of Competency-Based Systems in Adult Education" (Ratcliff); "Competency-Based Adult Education and Variations on the Theme" (Collins); "Case against 'Competence'" (Jackson); "On 'Competence'" (Ashworth, Saxton); "Rise of Competency-Based Education" (Magnusson, Osborne); "Competency-Based Skills Training" (Gossett, Kane, Tesolowski); "Competency and the Pedagogy of Labour" (Field); "Trouble with Competence" (Norris); "NVQs (National Vocational Qualifications)" (Marshall); "Alternative Models of Competence in Vocational Education and Training" (Hodkinson); "Modularisation" (Ker); "Competency-Based Programs" (Harris, Barnes, Haines); "Implementing Competency-Based Vocational Education" (Candy, Harris); "Competency-Based Vocational Education" (Watson); "How Clever Are We...in the Way We Train Our Workers?" (Scott); "Qualified for the Job" (Cooper); "Ford Factory Learning" (Brown); "Vocational Education and Training Curriculum Policy" (Winning); "Skills, Self-Paced Learning and Work" (Davison, Smith); "Competency-Based Learning at Richmond College of TAFE (Technical and Further Education)" (Fahey); "From Concept to Practice" (Bryson, Edgar, McAleavy); and "Applications at the NAB (National Australia Bank)" (McKinnon, Cherry). Many papers contain substantial bibliographies. (MN)

The Closing the Gap Clearinghouse was established by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) to bring together evidence-based research on overcoming disadvantage for Indigenous Australians. The Clearinghouse provides access to a collection of information on what works to improve Indigenous people's lives across the building blocks identified by COAG. The Clearinghouse not only collects, but systematically analyses and synthesises this evidence. This paper provides policy makers with key findings about what works and assesses the gaps in the evidence. It also sets out progress of the Clearinghouse towards its objectives in its first year of operation. Appended are: (1) Summary extracts from issues papers and resource sheets; and (2) Summary of assessed items. (Contains 26 tables, 11 figures and 6 boxes.)

This technical paper contains information about the variables in the LSAY (Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth) Y95 cohort data set. It groups each variable into data elements which identifies common variables within and across waves. Information is provided about each data element including its purpose, values, base populations and relevant notes. [For the main report, "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY): 1995 Cohort User Guide. Technical Report 49," see ED536757. For related reports, see "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY): 1995 Cohort--User Guide. Data Elements B1: Education. Technical Report 49B1" (ED536761); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY): 1995 Cohort--User Guide. Data Elements B2: Education. Technical Report 49B2" (ED536759); "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY): 1995 Cohort--User Guide. Data Elements C: Employment. Technical Report 49C" (ED536762); and "Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY): 1995 Cohort--User Guide. Data Elements D: Social. Technical Report 49D" (ED536760).]

This publication presents estimates of apprentice and trainee activity in Australia for the December quarter 2011. The figures in this publication are derived from the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection no.71 (March 2012 estimates). The most recent figures in this publication are estimated (those for training activity from the June quarter 2010 to the December quarter 2011). Estimates take into account reporting lags that occur at the time of data collection. Consequently, the figures in this publication may differ from those published in earlier or later reports. Estimated data are presented in this publication on a seasonally adjusted, quarterly and 12-month ending series basis. The 12-month ending series is particularly useful in showing longer-term data trends, but is less useful in identifying turning points. The seasonally adjusted data involve the use of a mathematical model to smooth out fluctuations due to seasonal influences. Seasonally adjusted data are useful to illustrate trends from one quarter to the next, but cannot be further disaggregated. There were 449,000 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 31 December 2011, an increase of 2.5% from the previous year. In the 12 months to 31 December 2011, compared with the previous year: (1) commencements increased by 1.4%, to 318 400; (2) completions increased by 6.9%, to 180 000; and (3) cancellations and withdrawals increased by 5.6%, to 138 600. For seasonally adjusted data, comparing the December quarter 2011 with the September quarter 2011: (1) commencements in trades occupations decreased by 1.3%; (2) commencements in non-trades occupations increased by 1.3%; (3) completions increased by 1.3%; (4) cancellations and withdrawals decreased by 1.1%; and (5) in-training numbers increased slightly. (Contains 19 tables, 3 figures and 5 notes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.]

The Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY) program studies the progress of several groups of young Australians as they move from school into post-secondary education and work. This technical paper contains the frequency tables for the LSAY 2009 cohort Wave 3 (2011) data set. [For the related questionnaire, see ED536306.]

The Australian vocational education and training (VET) system provides training across a wide range of subject areas and is delivered through a variety of training institutions and enterprises (including to apprentices and trainees). The system provides training for students of all ages and backgrounds. Students may study individual subjects or full courses that lead to formal qualifications. This publication estimates the qualification completion rates of publicly funded VET qualifications in Australia, in order to fill a gap in performance measures for the VET sector. For qualifications commencing in 2009: (1) The national estimated completion rate for VET qualifications at certificate I and above was 31.7%, up from 28.8% for qualifications commenced in 2008; (2) For students in full-time study aged 25 years and under with no prior post-school qualification, the national estimated completion rate for VET qualifications was 42.9%, up from 37.9% for qualifications commenced in 2008; (3) VET qualifications at certificate IV (38.5%), diploma and above (37.4%) and certificate III (37.3%) had the highest national estimated completion rates; (4) For students in full-time study aged 25 years and under with no prior post-school qualification, the national estimated completion rate for VET qualifications at certificate III was 50.1%; and (5) VET qualifications in education (51.5%), society and culture (44.3%), and natural and physical sciences (43.3%) had the highest national estimated completion rates. (Contains 6 tables and 3 notes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.]

This annual publication provides a summary of training activity in apprenticeships and traineeships in Australia for the period 2001 to 2011. It includes information on training rates, individual completion rates, and duration of training. Highlights include: (1) 3.9% of Australian workers were employed as an apprentice or trainee as at December 2011, compared with 3.4% in 2001; (2) Within the trades, 11.9% of workers were employed as an apprentice or trainee as at December 2011, compared with 9.5% in 2001; (3) Overall commencements increased by 1.4% from 2010 to 2011, with trade commencements down 5.9%; (4) The individual completion rate for apprentices and trainees commencing in 2006 was 57.3% for trade occupations and 54.4% for non-trade occupations; and (5) 36.4% of trade apprentices and trainees completing at certificate III and above in 2011 finished their training in two years or less, compared with 23.9% in 2001. (Contains 4 figures, 17 tables, and 14 notes.) [Funding for this paper was provided through the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education. For the "Australian Vocational Education and Training Statistics: Apprentices and Trainees, 2010--Annual," see ED522595.]

In this paper the researchers ask how completing Year 12 and undertaking vocational education and training (VET) and university studies assist young people to make a successful transition from school. As part of their research they analyse whether those who are less academic benefit from completing Year 12 and post-school education and training options to the same extent as the more academically inclined. Unlike other studies addressing the issue of successful youth transition, this research looks at the education path chosen (or not), rather than an individual's return from the completion of a particular path (qualification); not all those who embark on a path complete it. The researchers are interested in finding out how the route an individual chooses affects the later employment, wages, job status, financial wellbeing and happiness of young people. They do this by analysing data from the 1995 cohort of the Longitudinal Surveys of Australian Youth (LSAY). The analysis suggests that, on average, completing Year 12 is no longer sufficient; rather, young people today need to have Year 12 plus further study to get them on a path to success. For males an apprenticeship after Year 12 is an attractive route, as is university study; for females the best choice is university, even for those with lower levels of academic orientation. The researchers are not suggesting that everyone should be forced to complete Year 12 and to go on to further study. While the best paths involve Year 12 and certain types of post-school study, it is also the case that paths that include Year 12 do not necessarily lead to superior outcomes, relative to those involving leaving school before Year 12. In addition, Karmel and Liu find that the choice of path is not always of consequence. For males, paths only have salience for satisfaction with life, the occupational status of full-time workers and the pay of full-time workers. For the other variables they investigate--engagement with full-time work or study, full-time employment, financial wellbeing, satisfaction with work--the paths do not really matter. That is, the transition from school to adulthood can work well--in relation to these outcome measures--for young men following any of the paths. For females, educational paths matter for attaining full-time engagement and pay for full-time workers and occupational status for full-time workers, but do not matter for financial wellbeing, satisfaction with life and job status for part-time workers. Finally, the researchers note that the analysis relates to people who did Year 12 in 1998, during a buoyant economic period, which, they point out, is also an important factor in contributing to good transitions for young people. Appended are: (1) Final propensity score models; (2) Full outcome models; and (3) Final outcome models. (Contains 46 tables and 6 footnotes.)

The Australian vocational education and training (VET) system provides training across a wide range of subject areas and is delivered through a variety of training institutions and enterprises (including to apprentices and trainees). The system provides training for students of all ages and backgrounds. Students may study individual subjects or full courses that lead to formal qualifications. This publication estimates the qualification completion rates of publicly funded VET qualifications in Australia, in order to fill a gap in performance measures for the VET sector. For qualifications commencing in 2008: (1) The national estimated completion rate for VET enrolments at certificate I and above is 28.4%, and the subject load pass rate is 80.4%; (2) For students in full-time study aged 25 years and under with no previous post-school qualification, the national estimated qualification completion rate is 37.3% and the corresponding subject load pass rate is 77.5%; (3) Students enrolled in qualifications at certificate IV level (34.6%), certificate III level (33.5%) and diploma level and above (32.9%) have the highest estimated completion rates; (4) Full-time students aged 25 years and under with no previous post-school qualification enrolled in a certificate III have estimated completion rates of 45.9%; and (5) Enrolments in education (52.0%), society and culture (37.3%) and health (37.2%) have the highest estimated qualification completion rates. (Contains 6 tables and 4 notes.) [For related report, "The Likelihood of Completing a VET Qualification: A Model-Based Approach. Technical Paper," see ED511677.]

This publication presents estimates of apprentice and trainee activity in Australia for the September quarter 2010. The figures in this publication are derived from the National Apprentice and Trainee Collection no.66 (December 2010 estimates). The most recent figures in this publication are estimated (those for training activity from the March quarter 2009 to the September quarter 2010). Estimates take into account reporting lags that occur at the time of data collection. Consequently, the figures in this publication may differ from those published in earlier or later reports. Estimated data are presented in this publication on a seasonally adjusted, quarterly and 12-month ending series basis. The 12-month ending series is particularly useful in showing longer-term data trends, but is less useful in identifying turning points. The seasonally adjusted data involve the use of a mathematical model to smooth out fluctuations due to seasonal influences. Seasonally adjusted data are useful to illustrate trends from one quarter to the next, but cannot be further disaggregated. There were 448 800 apprentices and trainees in-training as at 30 September 2010, an increase of 5.1% from the previous year. In the 12 months to 30 September 2010, compared with the previous year: (1) commencements increased by 14.2%, to 305 400; (2) completions increased by 4.5%, to 166 100; and (3) cancellations and withdrawals increased by 2.9%, to 128 600. For seasonally adjusted data, comparing the September quarter 2010 with the June quarter 2010: (1) commencements in trades occupations increased by 1.0%; (2) commencements in non-trades occupations increased by 1.9%; (3) completions increased by 1.0%; (4) cancellations and withdrawals increased by 0.9%; and (5) in-training numbers increased by 0.6%. (Contains 19 tables, 3 figures, and 5 notes.) [For related documents, see "Apprentices and Trainees: September Quarter 2010. Terms and Definitions. Support Document" (ED516825) and "Adjustment Notes for Apprentice and Trainee Estimates. Technical Paper" (ED516872).]

In 2008 as part of a national push to increase Australia's skill levels, the Council of Australian Governments agreed on targets that would see, by 2020, a doubling of diploma and advanced diploma completions and a halving of the proportion of 20 to 64-year-old Australians without at least a certificate III. Such targets assume there is a financial return as a result of undertaking vocational education and training (VET). Using data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics' (ABS) Surveys of Education and Training (1993-2005), this study investigated this assumption by looking at the employment and earnings for individuals who had completed a VET course and how these may have changed over time. This work examines the effect of field of education on the returns from VET for individuals, as well as the returns from VET for mature-age students (defined here as persons between 30 and 64 years). It also compares these with higher educational qualifications. This paper suggests that: (1) Compared with those who have completed Year 12, employment and earnings benefits are only gained by completing a VET course at the diploma level. This result differs from some previous studies (for example, Long & Shah 2008). However, by comparison with individuals who do not complete Year 12, both employment and earnings benefits can be gained from completion of a VET qualification at any level, an outcome which accords with previous research; (2) Undertaking courses in the area of business, engineering, architecture, building and automotive provides the greatest benefits relative to those who did not complete Year 12; (3) For mature-age students, those who have not completed Year 12 and undertake a VET course at the certificate III level or higher gain the greatest employment and earnings benefits. However, there is a lag of several years before these benefits materialise; and (4) The study covers the period 1993 to 2005 to assess whether VET qualifications have continued to attract similar returns relative to Year 12 and non-school completers. The earning benefits from completing a diploma were shown to be relatively stable during this period. At the sub-diploma level there were more fluctuations but, relative to non-school completers, returns from these qualifications were positive. This was not the case when comparisons were made to Year 12 completers. This study makes it clear that people cannot assume VET has a financial return to the individual; it all depends on educational background and the level and field of the qualification being undertaken. Appendices include: (1) How propensity-score matching works; (2) The two-step matching/ regression approach; and (3) Sample sizes of treatment and comparison groups in the 1993, 1997, 2001 and 2005 SET data. (Contains 74 tables and 9 footnotes.) [For the support document, see ED508929.]