1 Executive summary This research was supported by the Australian Research Council and conducted by a team of researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the SKILLED Group and RMIT University. Aim The aim of the project was to investigate the work, skill and benefit (WSB) trajectories experienced over ten years of skilled workers who completed their initial trade and bachelor degree qualifications at RMIT between 1994 and 1996. Understanding WSB trajectories has significance for theory and policy on skilled worker retention, careers advice to youth and lifelong learning provision. Two questions underpinned the design and formation of the Working Lives project, each relating to issues of skill shortages and the public and private value accorded to different types of qualifications and occupations. The first question asks: where do initial qualifications of young skilled workers (trade apprentices and degree graduates) take them over the first ten years of working life? The second question asks whether the experiences of the two groups are substantially different and if so, how and why. – The provides a detailed and dynamic portrait of the ways in which qualified workers find employment, seek promotion, develop additional skills, tailor their careers, and in general derive a range of benefits from their education or training. It also identifies the factors, motivations and critical events influencing the decisions of participants in their respective careers (Fehring, Malley & Robinson 2008). Key findings 1 The research confirms that family and peer influences are particularly important in early career decisions. Reflecting this, university graduates were far more likely to have parents in professional or managerial occupations. 2 Those who entered university were more likely to have had parents who preferred this pathway, and to enter straight from school. Apprentices were less likely to come straight from school, and many felt their parents would have preferred them to go to university. 3 The research suggests an important role for personal contacts in gaining employment after graduation. For apprentices, direct experience with an employer was very important. University graduates were more likely to rely on other personal contacts. 4 Once in the workforce, university graduates were more likely to change jobs and employers and win promotion. Avenues to promotion were quite
1 Executive summary This research was supported by the Australian Research Council and conducted by a team of researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) in collaboration with the Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, the National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER), the SKILLED Group and RMIT University. Aim The aim of the project was to investigate the work, skill and benefit (WSB) trajectories experienced over ten years of skilled workers who completed their initial trade and bachelor degree qualifications at RMIT between 1994 and 1996. Understanding WSB trajectories has significance for theory and policy on skilled worker retention, careers advice to youth and lifelong learning provision. Two questions underpinned the design and formation of the Working Lives project, each relating to issues of skill shortages and the public and private value accorded to different types of qualifications and occupations. The first question asks: where do initial qualifications of young skilled workers (trade apprentices and degree graduates) take them over the first ten years of working life? The second question asks whether the experiences of the two groups are substantially different – and if so, how and why. The provides a detailed and dynamic portrait of the ways in which qualified workers find employment, seek promotion, develop additional skills, tailor their careers, and in general derive a range of benefits from their education or training. It also identifies the factors, motivations and critical events influencing the decisions of participants in their respective careers (Fehring, Malley & Robinson 2008). Key findings 1 The research confirms that family and peer influences are particularly important in early career decisions. Reflecting this, university graduates were far more likely to have parents in professional or managerial occupations. 2 Those who entered university were more likely to have had parents who preferred this pathway, and to enter straight from school. Apprentices were less likely to come straight from school, and many felt their parents would have preferred them to go to university. 3 The research suggests an important role for personal contacts in gaining employment after graduation. For apprentices, direct experience with an employer was very important. University graduates were more likely to rely on other personal contacts. 4 Once in the workforce, university graduates were more likely to change jobs and employers and win promotion. Avenues to promotion were quite
workinglivesgraduates.docx