To have and to hold : Retaining and utilising skilled people
- Authors: Smith, Andy , Oczkowski, Edward , Selby Smith, Chris
- Date: 2008
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Description: This report examines the ways in which Australian employers retain skilled staff and the ways in which employers enhance their ability to use the skills of their people. The study found that while strategies such as increasing wages and family friendly policies may increase an employee's job satisfaction, the key driver in employee retention is if they feel they are learning and progressing in their careers.
- Description: 2003007215
Pre-apprenticeships in three key trades
- Authors: Dumbrell, Tom , Smith, Erica
- Date: 2007
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Description: This report looks at whether pre-apprenticeships increase the potential supply of tradespeople, with a special focus on electrotechnology, automotive and engineering students. It found that pre-apprenticeships have been used in Australia for many years and are widely regarded as a valuable strategy for increasing the supply and quality of potential apprentices. Pre-apprenticeships are favoured by employers because they weed out unsuitable candidates and improve retention, while apprentices see them as a useful way of gaining experience in the trade.
- Description: 2003006164
Enterprises' commitment to nationally recognised training for existing workers
- Authors: Smith, Erica , Pickersgill, Richard , Smith, Andy , Rushbrook, Peter
- Date: 2005
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Description: This report aims to provide a clearer understanding of how and why enterprises use nationally recognised type of training. It finds that an enterprise's decision to engage in recognised training is not made lightly and decisions are made afresh each time a new training need arises. Successfully embedding training in enterprises involves a three-phase process - engagement, extension and integration. In most cases, it is dependent on: positive initial engagement; extension of training through a 'VET evangelist' who 'sells' the benefits of recognised training and persuades management; and, integration of competency standards associated with recognised training into many human resource processes. The availability of funding strongly influences whether enterprises use recognised training. However, one of the key reasons why more enterprises have not taken up this training is lack of awareness.
- Description: 2003006167
Mechanisms for increasing employer contributions to training : An international comparison
- Authors: Smith, Andy , Billett, Stephen
- Date: 2004
- Type: Text , Book
- Full Text: false
- Description: The level of enterprise expenditure on training in Australia appears to be growing, and now compares favourably with countries often held as models for national policy and practice. This report outlines a range of policy options employed internationally, including levies, leverage and partnership arrangements to enhance employer contributions to training. Ultimately, the authors find decisions about expenditure on training depends on employers' interests, values and commitments. If new policies are to be effective and build upon enterprises' commitment to training, it is critical they align with employers' needs, and receive enterprise commitment. For government, a key strategic policy goal is to improve employers' perception of the value of training to increase levels of expenditure.
- Description: 2003007212