Education and Training Workforce

Commissioned study

On 22 April 2010, the Productivity Commission received a terms of reference from the Australian Government asking it to undertake a commissioned study of the education and training workforce. Read the terms of reference.

The study's focus is on the issues impacting on the workforces of the following sectors:

• Vocational education and training (VET)
• Early childhood development (ECD)
• Schools.

The Commission has been asked to consider and provide advice on:

• The current and future demand for the workforces, and the mix of knowledge and skills required to meet service need
• The current and future supply of the workforces
• The structure and mix of the workforces and their efficiency and effectiveness
• Workforce planning and development in the short, medium and long-term
• Whether sectoral boundaries limit innovation and flexibility in workforce planning, development and practices.

In addition to the issues above, the Commission has been asked to give consideration to factors that have a particular impact on each of the sectors covered by the study.

The study commenced with a focus on the Vocational Education and Training sector. A report on this sector was submitted to the Australian Government in April 2011 and released on 5 May 2011.

The second phase of the study examining the Early Childhood Development, is now completed. A report on this sector was submitted to the Australian Government in 11 November 2011 and released on 1 December 2011.

The Schools workforce study is currently underway and will report in April 2012.

Further information

• New Study to Investigate the Needs of Australia's Child Care, Education and Training Sectors - Joint media release from the Deputy Prime Minister and Assistant Treasurer (external link)
• About the commissioned study process
• About the Vocational Education and Training study
• About the Early Childhood Development study
• About the Schools study