By Chance or Choice: The Regulation of the Apprenticeship System in Australia, 1900-1930

This paper traces the process whereby the apprenticeship system came to be regulated by industrial tribunals during the period 1900 to 1930. It describes how the regulation emerged, the motives that underpinned it, and the wider political debate about the apprenticeship system at the time. It then goes on to assess the effect of this regulation. This assessment is informed by an underlying theoretical perspective and draws on the contemporary debate and the outcomes that can be observed. While the question of primary interest is the efficiency of the regulatory regime that emerged, broader considerations are invoked. What was set in place in the early part of the 20th century has continued to shape the how the apprenticeship system has developed since then. For that reason, the future development of the apprenticeship system may be a more relevant indicator of outcomes than the contemporary facts.apprenticeship, trade unions, arbitration, Australia

By Chance or Choice: The Regulation of the Apprenticeship System in Australia, 1900-1930

This paper traces the process whereby the apprenticeship system came to be regulated by industrial tribunals during the period 1900 to 1930. It describes how the regulation emerged, the motives that underpinned it, and the wider political debate about the apprenticeship system at the time. It then goes on to assess the effect of this regulation. This assessment is informed by an underlying theoretical perspective and draws on the contemporary debate and the outcomes that can be observed. While the question of primary interest is the efficiency of the regulatory regime that emerged, broader considerations are invoked. What was set in place in the early part of the 20th century has continued to shape the how the apprenticeship system has developed since then. For that reason, the future development of the apprenticeship system may be a more relevant indicator of outcomes than the contemporary facts

Earnings, Schooling and Vocational Education and Training

Young persons who do not go on to university face two main educational choices; whether to complete Year 12 and/or whether to undertake a vocational (VET) qualification. These two choices are independent. Both early leavers and completers may subsequently obtain a VET qualification. However, the parametric models that are commonly used to analyse the causal effect of education presume that educational attainments form an ordered sequence. This has the effect of restricting the effects of educational attainments on earnings. This paper departs from this restrictive approach. It estimates the effect of Year 12 completion and VET qualifications on early career earnings using both a single and multiple treatment-effect approach. By using matching methods to estimate these effects, it also allows for the effects of educational qualifications differ between persons. It is found that neither completion of Year 12 nor a VET qualification has an effect on early career earnings over and above the forgone experience

An analysis of the impact of skilled migration on the current and future economic well-being of W.A.

The presence of skill shortages has been the dominant rationale for the recruitment of trained foreign workers. Most Australian states have thus embraced the opportunities that the expansion and devolution of Australia's immigration program in recent times has given them. This paper examines the issue more closely by providing a conceptual overview of the economic case for the continuing need for skilled workers from abroad and discusses various related factors and considerations of relevance. Reference is also made to the current immigration policy and recent trends in skilled and business migration. This provides the context for a review of the contemporary economic impact that skilled migration has had in W.A and its likely future effects on the state. The anticipated future needs as indicated by the demand for skilled workers, the extent to which this demand is met by the resident workforce and the migration planning levels is also analysed

The impact of the State Migration Centre on the current and future economic Well-Being of Western Australia - A Review.

The connection between immigration and skill shortages has a long and illustrious history. This report reviews the role and performance of the State Migration Centre (SMC) in meeting this need and develops a strategy for its future operations. The starting point is a conceptual overview of the economic case for the continuing need for trained and competent workers from abroad. The outcome of this overview is a list of factors and considerations relevant to assessing the SMC performance. The body of the report then provides an overview of the recent trends in business and skilled migration and goes on to analyse of the SMC's role and performance. Its role is clarified by reference to the current immigration policy and recent trends in skilled and business migration. This provides the setting for an analysis of its performance drawing on the indicators developed in the first section of the report. Looking ahead to the future, we than consider the likely future needs as indicated by the demand for skilled workers, the extent to which this demand is met by the resident workforce and the migration planning levels. This analysis provides the basis for a range of options that the SMC might pursue. The funding levels associated with these options are outlined and a series of recommendations are put forward

Costs and benefits of new apprenticeships

The introduction of New Apprenticeships in January of 1998 marked an important initiative in Australia's efforts to develop a more encompassing system of employment based vocational education and training. This paper draws on evidence from case studies of 60 employers to assess the impact of these reforms on training outcomes and practices. The provisions most enthusiastically embraced by employers include competency-based assessment and flexibility in time spent in training. However, these positive indicators of the reform process have not translated into an improved cost/benefit outcome for employers. Comparison with previous findings suggests that the net cost of employing trainees has not really changed while the net cost of apprentices is estimated to be higher than it was in 1996

How did the British media represent European political parties during the European parliament elections, 2014: a Europeanized media agenda?

The European Parliament election of 2014 generated much interest on account of the rise of a whole array of populist ‘anti-EU’ parties. This was widely reported in the British media but did that coverage give British news consumers an insight into the character of these parties, where they stood in relation to one another and where they stood in relation to Britain’s own UKIP? This paper sets out to examine not only how much coverage there was in the British media about European political parties but also whether that coverage enabled citizens to get a sense of the political positioning of populist anti-EU parties. These questions touch on the extent to which British media reflect and comment on populist parties, European affairs and hence on the Europeanization of the news agenda