Issues Regarding Higher Education Graduates in Vocational Education and Training.

Overview & Synopsis

A study of higher education graduates participating in South Australian technical and further education (TAFE) courses concentrated on the reasons they chose TAFE courses and how appropriate they found them. Survey instruments were developed, and a census of 3,731 higher education graduates who enrolled in the South Australia Department of Employment, Training, and Education courses was conducted. Previous research on the articulation of higher education graduates to TAFE was analyzed. Findings indicated the most likely reason for higher education graduates to undertake TAFE studies was for personal development, followed closely by "to gain practical skills not obtained in my higher qualification" and "for interest or recreation." Females were significantly more likely than males to choose "for interest or recreation" even when only enrollments in the labor force were considered. Unemployed persons were significantly more likely to choose "to attain English language skills" compared to those employed full and part time. Over 88 percent of enrollments indicated TAFE studies were very appropriate or appropriate to fulfilling the reasons for undertaking their studies. Around three-fourths of respondents rated each aspect of teaching style and course design to be appropriate. (Contains 21 references and survey instruments.) (YLB)