Building research capacity in the vocational education and training sector Francesca Beddie Manager, Research Management

Why research? "The measurement of anything that is of importance elevates its importance.” Mamphela Ramphela, Co-chair, Global Commission on International Migration “Facts are the enemy of truth.” Cervantes

Istanbul Declaration, 30 June 2007 Aims at building a culture of evidence-based decision making in the belief that statistical indicators of economic, social, and environmental outcomes can:  help to promote good governance and the improvement of democratic processes  strengthen citizens’ capacity to influence the goals of the societies they live in through debate and consensus building  increase the accountability of public policies.

Istanbul Declaration The Istanbul Declaration urges statistical offices, public and private organisations and academic experts to work alongside representatives of their communities to produce high-quality, facts-based information that can be used by all … to form a shared view of societal well-being... Signed by EC, the OECD, the OIC, the UN, UNDP and the World Bank

Evolution of VET research  A 1992 review of the Centre identified shortcomings: under-funded, fragmented, poorly targeted and under-used research  National research strategy adopted – centrepiece is competitive grants program managed by NCVER  Creation of Australian VET Research Association in 1997  But: the community is small, perhaps diminishing, and greying

Johnston Review  The 2006 review of NCVER’s research and statistical services identified the need to build research capacity in the VET sector by: ► attracting experienced researchers from outside the sector ► encouraging early career researchers ► supporting people in the sector to undertake research

Over-reliance on established researchers? Number of grants per principal investigator

Over-reliance on academic researchers?

Why develop a research capacity?  Research from within the sector can help with strategic planning and operations by: ► identifying effective delivery mechanisms ► helping to better understand clients ► pointing to new markets ► maximising the existing compliance effort.  NCVER can assist you with data, qualitative research and to tailor findings for your own purposes.

NCVER data  The data you and others submit to NCVER can tell you a great deal about: ► uptake and completions of apprenticeships ► rising and falling demand ► employers’ and students’ views of training ► student outcomes  We can help you get more out of this data, including through special initiatives to build researcher capacity.

Building research capacity Our objectives:  to increase the pool of researchers, by ► attracting established researchers from outside the sector ► supporting new career researchers  to increase the proportion of funding going to non-university researchers, by ► developing the research skills and capacity of those working in the VET sector

Downloads of funding round information

Who submitted proposals?

Initiatives  Growing research capacity fund over three years by: ► Calling for proposals for practical projects to build capacity in the VET sector ► Funding the attendance at No Frills of young researchers and publish their papers ► Working with AVETRA ► Co-funding PhD scholarships ► Introducing fellowships

Initiatives (cont’d)  Encourage research teams/networks, particularly those which include new career researchers  Encourage mentors  Run workshops on proposal writing and using NCVER resources (VOCED, national training statistics)  Actively market and enhance the research status of NVETRE grants

How will you know if it is working?  annual NVETRE report  details of capacity building projects undertaken  statistics on proposals and grants by institutional affiliation and previous funding status  review to be conducted in 2010

What would help you?  Workshop: ► Is research core business for TAFE? ► How do you use research? ► How do you do it? ► What is the current capacity? ► How can NCVER work with you to build that capacity? – How could a fellowship help? What would it look like? – Do you want different products? – What sort of other practical measures?