Transitions and Post-School Education and Training
Research Director: Dr Phillip McKenzie
The Transitions and Post-School Education and Training research program focuses on the transitions which people make in moving from school into further study, employment and adult life, and on the higher education and vocational education and training sectors. The program is concerned with analysing the interconnections between education and training, the labour market, and the wider society, and a wide range of areas concerning assessment and evaluation. It undertakes a broad range of consultancies and research contracts from governments, policy organisations, and education and training providers in Australia and overseas.
The program is organised into three main strands:
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Transitions: The transitions that young people make from the age of about 15 to their mid-20s are profoundly important. During this time young people generally establish their careers, move out of their parents’ home and attain adult status. The research examines a range of transition outcomes (educational, labour market, and social), the interactions between them, and the causal influences involved. The intent is to improve the knowledge base supporting policy making, especially for those who experience a problematic transition.
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Higher education: There are almost 1 million students enrolled in Australian higher education institutions, and over 2.5 million people in the workforce hold higher education qualifications. Higher education plays a key role in individual, social and economic development in Australia and internationally. The program analyses the operation of higher education institutions and the sector as a whole, and seeks to improve policy and practice. Projects include analyses of performance measurement, teaching and learning, quality assurance, student recruitment, access and engagement, academic work and leadership, as well as labour market outcomes.
Vocational education and training: VET is probably the most diverse education and training sector in Australia with over 2 million students (many of whom are part-time and mature-aged) and around 5,000 public and private providers. Over 3.5 million members of the workforce hold VET qualifications, and there are also substantial investments in informal on-the-job training. The research program includes analyses of student access and completion rates, policy developments, and quality assurance, including measures of student engagement, learning outcomes and employer satisfaction.
Program staff are also leading and working on related projects based in other programs such as Assessment Services, and Teaching, Learning and Leadership.