Outputs and Outcomes of Vocational Education Programs^ Measures In Australia

Abstract

This paper discusses some key issues involved in the evaluation of outcomes from vocational education and training in Australia where a number of vocational education and training policies have been introduced at both federal and state levels. These policies have been a response to Australia's relatively poor economic performance over the last decade in an attempt to overcome the perceived (and actual) deficiencies in the labor market and the skills of the work force. The paper focuses in particular on the vocational education sector in Victoria where the agency responsible for the provision of vocational education (The State Training Board) has instituted a number of plans without clear specification of its objectives or establishment of program evaluation processes. Finally, the paper proposes a research strategy to evaluate progress rates, outputs, and outcome measures.