Description:
Most people would agree that an objective measurement of skill in work is not possible. Many perceptions of what is skilled work privilege 'male' over 'female' occupations, and pre-1950 industrial and craft jobs over more recently-established and service sector jobs. Theories of social construction of skill centre around claim-making by interest groups, structural conditions that allow or prevent such claims, and the institutionalisation of those claims. As skill cannot be measured objectively, the social construction of skill takes on immense significance in defining what are worthy and non-worthy occupations, and the training that is available and valued within those occupations.
Description:
Most people would agree that an objective measurement of skill in work is not possible. Many perceptions of what is skilled work privilege 'male' over 'female' occupations, and pre-1950 industrial and craft jobs over more recently-established and service sector jobs. Theories of social construction of skill centre around claim-making by interest groups, structural conditions that allow or prevent such claims, and the institutionalisation of those claims. As skill cannot be measured objectively, the social construction of skill takes on immense significance in defining what are worthy and non-worthy occupations, and the training that is available and valued within those occupations.
Description:
Country-specific information on risk management is increasingly important, not only for investors and decision makers in international markets but also, for those in national and regional markets. This study reports the results of a cross-sectional survey of risk management practice and derivatives use by a sample of Australian firms. Overall, the results suggest that firm-specific factors appear to have some influence on risk management practice with the industry of the respondent being the most important, while the degree of international exposure has the least. Larger and more internationally exposed firms are likely to have more frequent reporting of derivatives use, and are more likely to use swaps and options to manage risks than other types of firms. Issues and implications for international firms are discussed
Peer educators in the facilitation of sexuality and respectful relationship education for people with an intellectual disability : a scoping review and narrative synthesis
Description:
Birds are considered to be pests when they damage infrastructure and crops as well as being a health risk and a social nuisance. Here we detail some case studies where we used trained raptors to disperse populations of pest Long-billed Cacatua tenuirostris and Little Corellas C. sanguinea, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos C. galerita and Silver Gulls Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae in Victoria. We describe the situations where the technique works best and compare it with other methods of managing pest birds. Using raptors to disperse pest birds seems to be a cost-effective management tool only when the target area is small, the period over which damage occurs is limited, and when the damage caused by the pest species is costly.
Description:
Indigenous curricula content, including particular narratives of Australian colonial history are highly contested in contemporary Australia. How do white Australians understand Australia’s colonial past and its relevance today? An empirical study was conducted with 29 rural Australians who self-identified as white. Critical race and whiteness studies provided the framework for analysis of the interviews. I argue that they revealed a delimited understanding of colonial history and a general inability to link this to the present, which limited their capacity to think crossculturally in their everyday living - activities considered crucial in the contemporary move to Reconciliation in Australia. The normative discourse of white settler Australians to be ‘Australian’ is invested in the denial of Indigenous sovereignty to protect white settler Australian claims to national sovereignty. The findings support arguments for a national curriculum that incorporates Indigenous history as well as an Indigenous presence throughout all subject areas.
Description:
This small-scale study examinesyoung people’s perspectives aboutenergy transition and climate change adaptation in regional Gippsland, Victoria,Australia. As the opinions and experiences of children and youth have been historically overlooked in contemporary sustainability climate discourse and policy, this research investigatespreviously unheard accounts.The studydrawsonfourfacilitated “Conversations for Change”discussions with a total of 14 young people (aged 9-17)that exploredtheir ideas and concerns about sustaining themselves and their communities during a time of climate change and energy transition. Theirideas and opinionsaboutliving in/with a climate-alteredlocaland global futurearereflected across four main themes: (a)young people’s values;(b) perceptions of energy, transition and adaptation;(c) the enabling role of climate literacy for young people; and (d) responding to a just energy transition through collective endeavors.
Description:
This article examines and explains some of the curriculum and assessment practices that allow for VET in schools (VETiS) programs in the state of Victoria, to be recognised and incorporated into the senior secondary school certificates through the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) and the Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL). It draws on a selection of policy, curriculum, operational and research literature and statistical data on participation to discuss aspects of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in Victorian secondary schools. After setting out the two curriculum frameworks, the article reviews the strategy and processes for the tandem usage of competency-based and scored assessment as they apply in the Victorian context. The purpose of the article is to show the complexities and open up the balancing act that is occurring at the operational and policy levels between equity and quality.