Securing Success: Good practice in training people aged 45 and over who are disadvantaged in the labour market

Abstract

This report describes the conditions under which older unemployed Australians, with low prior education, can secure success through education and training. The study was commissioned by the Vocational Education and Training Group of the Department of Education, Science and Training. The project objectives were to: inform policy and programmes designed to improve the labour market participation of people in the target group; and identify features of existing education and training including best practice, which if implemented in future programmes by the Department will encourage people in the target group to undertake and persist with education and training, in order to gain relevant job-related skills and qualifications. One particular focus of the study was courses undertaken for acquisition of Information Communication Technology (ICT) skills and language, literacy and numeracy and the way in which people in the target group access and take advantage of these educational opportunities. The report concludes that securing success for mature unemployed adult learners who are disadvantaged in the labour market requires five key features. These are: an initial education experience in a safe, non-threatening environment; negotiation with learners in content, format and timing of educational experiences; the use of social cohesion and a focus on learner interests to motivate learners; a learner focused (andragogy-based) approach to learning; and organisational innovation and flexibility.