2005 STUDENT OUTCOMES SURVEY

2005

URVEY
URVEY WHAT IS IT?
The 2005 Student Outcomes Survey is a survey of students who have successfully completed some
vocational education and training in Australia during 2004. The survey has been conducted annually since
1997.

WHY IS IT DONE?
The survey looks at 3 important areas:
Did you think the training was relevant and did it benefit you?
Were you satisfied with the training you received?
Did your employment situation change as a result of your training?

DO I HAVE TO PARTICIPATE?
No, participating in the survey is voluntary. However, your answers are important as they can help to
improve future vocational training.

HOW IS THE INFORMATION USED?

The information is used by national and state / territory bodies, along with local training providers, to
ensure vocational training is of high quality and relevant to Australian workplaces.

WHO IS DOING IT?

The National Centre for Vocational Education Research (www.ncver.edu.au), Australia’s leading national
vocational education and training research organisation, manages the survey. I-view Pty Ltd, a national
market and social research company, conducts the survey on NCVER’s behalf.

The Australian National Training Authority is funding the survey.

ARE MY ANSWERS CONFIDENTIAL?

Yes, all answers provided will remain confidential. Only group responses, not your individual
responses are reported and importantly, all names, addresses and telephone numbers will be deleted
from the survey database at the end of the project.

HOW DO I SEND THE SURVEY BACK?

Either send your survey back to us in the envelope provided (no stamp required) or complete the survey
on the internet at http://www.ncver.edu.au/surveys/sos/2005.html

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

If you would like more information about any aspects of this survey, the staff at I-view will be happy to
answer your questions. Please contact them by:

Telephone: 1800 105 088 (Freecall)

Facsimile: (03) 9940 7739
Email: sos@iview.com.au
Mail: I-view Pty Ltd
Reply Paid 1213
EASTERN MC VIC 3110
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2005

URVEY
URVEY How To Answer Questions
Please cross ONE box only like this:
Use a pencil, or a blue or black pen.
1 (unless otherwise requested).

Some boxes have ‘Go to’ instructions that look like this: ➔ Go to 17
Please follow the ‘Go to’ even if you miss out on some questions.
Where exact information is not known, please give the best answer you can.
Where a written answer is required, please write clearly in the boxes provided.

EXAMPLE: 45. In which country were you born?

ABOUT YOUR TRAINING 4. Why did you decide not to continue the training?
(More than one box can be crossed.)
ITEM
This section focuses on the training shown on the CODE EMPLOYMENT-RELATED REASONS
front of the form. A 1
Changed jobs or started a new job
For all questions in this section, ‘the training’ B 2
I lost my job
refers to that shown on the front of the form. C 3
I learnt the skills I needed for my job

1. Are you still enrolled in the training shown on the TRAINING-RELATED REASONS
D 4
I achieved my training goals
front of the form?
E 5
I started other training
1
Yes ➔ Go to 16 F 6
The training no longer related to my plans
2
No ➔ Go to 2 G 14
7
The training was not what I expected
H 8
The training timetable was not flexible enough

PERSONAL REASONS
I 9
I moved
2. Are you currently enrolled in any other training
J
with a TAFE institute, TAFE division of a university,
10
Illness
K 11
Family reasons
Registered Private Provider or Adult and
L 14
12
Financial reasons
Community Education Provider?
M 13
Too many pressures on my time
1
Yes
3
2
No
N 14
Any other major reason (please specify)

3. Have you completed all the training required to

gain the qualification that is awarded for the training
© NCS Pearson 13589 00 01 02 03 04 05

shown on the front of the form?

1
Yes ➔ Go to 6
2
No ➔ Go to 4

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 2005 STUDENT OUTCOMES SURVEY

5. From the list in Question 4, what was your main 10. What was your main reason for doing the training?
reason for choosing not to continue the training? (Cross one box only.)
(Please write the appropriate item code in the box
below.)
1
To get a job
2
To develop my existing business
3
To start my own business
Main Reason 4
To try for a different career
5
To get a better job or promotion
6
It was a requirement of my job
7
I wanted extra skills for my job
6. Which of the following describes how the training
8
To get into another course of study
was delivered? (More than one box can be crossed.)
9
To improve my general educational skills
10
To get skills for community / voluntary work
1
Personal / classroom communication with 11
To increase my confidence / self-esteem
instructor(s) 12
Other reasons (please specify)
2
Printed materials
3
Web-based resources
4
Videotape, CD or DVD
5
Online communication with instructor and
other students
6
Radio
7
Television
8
Video conference 11. Did the training help you to achieve your main
9
Teleconference reason?
10
Workshop practical activities
11
10
Other 1
Yes
2
No
3
Partly
7. Did you get any recognition for prior learning such
4
Don’t know yet
as subject exemptions or course credits towards the
training?
12. Did you enrol in the training because it was part of
1
Yes an apprenticeship or traineeship?
2
No
1
Yes ➔ Go to 13
2
No ➔ Go to 14
8. What sources of income did you have while doing
the training? (More than one box can be crossed.)
13. Have you successfully completed all requirements
1
Austudy of your apprenticeship or traineeship?
2
Abstudy
3
Youth Allowance Note: This includes both the study and employment
4
Government pensions or benefits requirements of your apprenticeship or traineeship.
(e.g. Newstart, Disability pension)
5
Scholarship / cadetship 1
Yes
6
Paid work (including an apprenticeship or 2
No, still ongoing
traineeship) 3
No, cancelled or withdrew
7
Own business 4
Don’t know
8
Parents or spouse / partner
9
Other
14. Would you recommend the training you have
undertaken to others?
9. Which of the following best describes when you
started the training?
1
Yes
2
No
1
While enrolled at school
2
Within 12 months of leaving school
3
More than 12 months after leaving school 15. Would you recommend the institution where you
undertook the training to others?
1
Yes
2
No
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For the following questions, we want to know what you thought about the training stated on the front of the form.

YOUR OPINIONS ON THE TRAINING

16. How would you rate, on average, the following aspects of the training?
(Please cross one box for each aspect using the scale below.)

NEITHER
STRONGLY STRONGLY NOT
ITEM DISAGREE
DISAGREE AGREE NOR AGREE
AGREE APPLICABLE
CODE DISAGREE

TEACHING
1 My instructors had a thorough knowledge of the subject
content 1 2 3 4 5 NA

2 My instructors provided opportunities to ask questions 1 2 3 4 5 NA

3 My instructors treated me with respect 1 2 3 4 5 NA

4 My instructors understood my learning needs 1 2 3 4 5 NA

5 My instructors communicated the subject content

effectively 1 2 3 4 5 NA

6 My instructors made the subject as interesting as possible 1 2 3 4 5 NA

ASSESSMENT
7 I knew how I was going to be assessed 1 2 3 4 5 NA

8 The way I was assessed was a fair test of my skills 1 2 3 4 5 NA

9 I was assessed at appropriate intervals 1 2 3 4 5 NA

10 I received useful feedback on my assessment 1 2 3 4 5 NA

11 The assessment was a good test of what I was taught 1 2 3 4 5 NA

GENERIC SKILLS and LEARNING EXPERIENCES

12 My training developed my problem solving skills 1 2 3 4 5 NA

13 My training helped me develop my ability to work as a

team member 1 2 3 4 5 NA

14 My training improved my skills in written communication 1 2 3 4 5 NA

15 My training helped me to develop the ability to plan my

own work 1 2 3 4 5 NA

16 As a result of my training, I feel more confident about

tackling unfamiliar problems 1 2 3 4 5 NA

17 My training has made me more confident about my

ability to learn 1 2 3 4 5 NA

18 As a result of my training, I am more positive about

achieving my goals 1 2 3 4 5 NA

19 My training has helped me think about new

opportunities in life 1 2 3 4 5 NA

OVERALL SATISFACTION WITH THE TRAINING

36.
17. How would you rate, on average, your satisfaction with the overall quality of the training?
Using the scale below, please rate your level of agreement with the following statement:

STRONGLY NEITHER AGREE STRONGLY

DISAGREE AGREE
DISAGREE NOR DISAGREE AGREE

Overall, I was satisfied with the quality of this training 1 2 3 4 5

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 2005 STUDENT OUTCOMES SURVEY

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTION 21. Where did you enrol to do this study?

Note: If you are doing external study, please report

18. Are you STILL ENROLLED in the training shown on the organisation you are studying with e.g.
the front of the form? university, TAFE institute.

If “Yes” ➔ Go to 44 1
University
If “No” ➔ Go to 19 2
TAFE institute
3
TAFE division of a university
4
Private provider
5
Adult and Community Education provider
Secondary school
ADDITIONAL STUDY
6

7
Other

The questions in this section look at whether you

have enrolled in any other study since you
undertook the training shown on the front of the
form.
YOUR WORK SITUATION
AT 27 MAY 2005
19. Have you enrolled in any other study since
undertaking the training shown on the front of
the form? 22. Did you have a job of any kind at 27 May 2005?
1
No If you had more than one job, please report for
➔ Go to 22
2
Yes, but cancelled or withdrew your main job, i.e. the one in which you usually
worked the most hours.
3
Yes, still ongoing
➔ Go to 20
4
Yes, finished A job means any type of work including full-time,
casual, temporary or part-time work, if it was for
one hour or more over a two-week period.
20. Which of the following best describes the level of
the qualification you have enrolled in since
undertaking the training?
1
Yes, worked for payment or profit
2
Yes, but absent on holidays, on
Note: If you enrolled in more than one course, paid leave, on strike or temporarily
stood down ➔ Go to 23
please report the course that you think is most
important.
3
Yes, unpaid work in a family
business
1
Bachelor Degree or higher
2
Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree 4
Yes, other unpaid work
➔ Go to 34
3
Diploma or Associate Diploma 5
No, did not have a job
4
Certificate IV (or Advanced Certificate / Technician)
5
Certificate III (or Trade Certificate
e.g. apprenticeship)
6
Certificate II
7
Certificate I 23. On what basis were you employed in your main job
8
Other certificate at 27 May 2005?
9
Secondary school qualification (e.g. mature age,
night school) 1
Wage or salary earner
10
Statement of Attainment 2
Conducting own business - with employees
11
Other course (please specify) 3
Conducting own business - without employees
4
Helper not receiving wages
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 2005 STUDENT OUTCOMES SURVEY

24. Were you entitled to paid sick leave and /or paid 27. How many hours did you usually work each week in
holiday leave in your main job at 27 May 2005? your main job at 27 May 2005?

Note: If you could take paid sick and / or paid

1
35 hours or more per week
holiday leave after being employed for a certain
2
1 - 34 hours per week
period, for example three months or a year, please
cross the appropriate “Yes” box.
28. How much did you usually earn (before tax or
1
Yes, both anything else is taken out) in your main job at
2
Yes, paid sick leave only 27 May 2005?
3
Yes, paid holiday leave only
4
No 1
$1,500 or more per week
($78,000 or more per year)

36.
25. What was your occupation and what were the main
2
$1,000-$1,499 per week
tasks you usually performed in your main job at ($52,000-$77,999 per year)
27 May 2005?
3
$700-$999 per week
Give full title e.g. Apprentice chef, childcare aide
($36,400-$51,999 per year)

4
$500-$699 per week
What were the main tasks or duties you usually ($26,000-$36,399 per year)
performed in that occupation?
e.g. Preparing food / cooking food, typing 5
$300-$499 per week
($15,600-$25,999 per year)

6
$160-$299 per week
($8,320-$15,599 per year)

7
$80-$159 per week
26. What kind of industry, business or service was ($4,160-$8,319 per year)
carried out by your employer / business in your
main job at 27 May 2005?
8
$1-$79 per week
($1-$4,159 per year)
e.g. Steel pipe manufacturing, childcare services,
fast food outlet, clothing retailing

29. How would you rate, on average, the following aspects of your main job at 27 May 2005?
(Please cross one box for each aspect using the scale below.)

NEITHER
STRONGLY STRONGLY
DISAGREE AGREE NOR AGREE
DISAGREE AGREE
DISAGREE

My job has good career prospects 1 2 3 4 5

My job lets me use my skills and abilities 1 2 3 4 5

My job provides training and learning opportunities to

improve my skills and knowledge 1 2 3 4 5

My job provides a sense of personal fulfillment 1 2 3 4 5

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30. Which of the following job-related benefits do 35. Have you previously held a full-time job?
you feel you have received as a result of undertaking
the training shown on the front of the form?
1
Current job is first full-time job
(More than one box can be crossed.)
2
Previously had a full-time job
3
Never had a full-time job
1
Got a job
2
Was able to set up / expand my own business
3
Change of job 36. Which of the following personal benefits do you
4
A promotion (or increased status at work) feel you have received as a result of undertaking the
5
An increase in earnings training shown on the front of the form?
6
Other (please specify) (More than one box can be crossed.)
1
Got into further study
2
Advanced my skills generally
7
None 3
Gained confidence
4
Satisfaction of achievement
5
Improved communication skills
31. How relevant is the training to your main job at
6
Made new friends
27 May 2005?
7
Seen as a role model for others in the community
8
Other (please specify)
1
Highly relevant
2
Some relevance
3
Very little relevance
4
Not at all relevant 9
None

32. When did you commence your main job at

27 May 2005? YOUR EMPLOYMENT SITUATION
1
Before I began the training
➔ Go to 35 BEFORE YOUR TRAINING
2
While undertaking the training

3
After I finished the training ➔ Go to 33 The questions in this section focus on your
employment situation before you undertook the
training shown on the front of the form.
33. How long did it take you to find a job after finishing
the training?
37. Did you have a job at any time during the six
1
Less than 1 month months before undertaking the training shown on
2
1 to 3 months the front of the form?
➔ Go to 35
3
4 to 6 months
4
More than 6 months If you had more than one job, please report for
your main job, i.e. the one in which you usually
worked the most hours.
34. Were you actively looking for work at 27 May 2005?
(Cross one box only.) A job means any type of work including full-time,
Note: Examples of actively looking for work include: casual, temporary or part-time work, if it was for
being registered with Centrelink as a job seeker; one hour or more over a two-week period.
checking or registering with any other employment 1
Yes, worked for payment or profit
agency; writing, telephoning or applying in person 2
Yes, but absent on holidays, on
to an employer for work; or advertising for work.
paid leave, on strike or temporarily ➔ Go to 38
stood down
1
Yes, I looked primarily for full-time work 3
Yes, unpaid work in a family
2
Yes, I looked primarily for part-time work business
3
No, I did not look for work
4
Yes, other unpaid work
➔ Go to 43
5
No, did not have a job
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38. On what basis were you employed in your main job 42. How many hours did you usually work each week in
during the six months before undertaking the your main job during the six months before
training shown on the front of the form? undertaking the training?
1
Wage or salary earner 1
35 hours or more per week
2
Conducting own business - with employees 2
1 - 34 hours per week ➔ Go to 44
3
Conducting own business - without employees
4
Helper not receiving wages
43. Were you actively looking for work during the six
months before undertaking the training shown on
39. Were you entitled to paid sick leave and / or paid the front of the form? (Cross one box only.)
holiday leave in your main job during the six
months before undertaking the training? Note: Examples of actively looking for work include:
being registered with Centrelink as a job seeker;
Note: If you could take paid sick and / or paid checking or registering with any other employment
holiday leave after being employed for a certain agency; writing, telephoning or applying in person to
period, for example three months or a year, please an employer for work; or advertising for work.
cross the appropriate “Yes” box.
1
Yes, I looked primarily for full-time work
1
Yes, both 2
Yes, I looked primarily for part-time work
2
Yes, paid sick leave only 3
No, I did not look for work
3
Yes, paid holiday leave only
4
No

36.
40. What was your occupation and what were the main
tasks you usually performed in your main job ABOUT YOU
during the six months before undertaking the
training?
44. Are you of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander
Please cross this box if the same as current origin?
occupation (as reported in 25)
1
➔ Go to 41 1
No
2
Yes, Aboriginal
3
Yes, Torres Strait Islander
Give full title e.g. Apprentice chef, childcare aide 4
Yes, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

What were the main tasks or duties you usually

performed in that occupation?
e.g. Preparing food / cooking food, typing
45. In which country were you born?
1
Australia
2
New Zealand
3
United Kingdom
4
China (excludes SARs and Taiwan Province)
5
Viet Nam
41. What kind of industry, business or service was
6
Philippines
carried out by your employer / business in your
7
India
main job during the six months before
8
Hong Kong (SAR of China)
undertaking the training?
9
Korea, Republic of (South)
10
Other (please specify)
Please cross this box if the same as current industry
(as reported in 26)
1
➔ Go to 42
e.g. Steel pipe manufacturing, childcare services,
fast food outlet, clothing retailing
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46. Do you speak a language other than English at 50. What was the highest level of schooling you
home? completed before undertaking the training shown
on the front of the form?
1
No, English only ➔ Go to 48
2
Yes 1
Year 12 or equivalent
2
Year 11 or equivalent
47. How well do you speak English?
3
Year 10 or equivalent
4
Year 9 or equivalent
1
Very well 5
Year 8 or below
2
Well 6
Did not go to school
3
Not well
4
Not at all
51. Did you complete any of the following qualifications
48. Do you consider yourself to have a disability, before undertaking the training shown on the front
impairment or long-term condition? of the form? (More than one box can be crossed.)
1
Yes ➔ Go to 49 1
Bachelor Degree or higher
2
No ➔ Go to 50 2
Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree
3
Diploma or Associate Diploma
49. Please indicate the areas of disability, impairment or
4
Certificate IV (or Advanced Certificate / Technician)
long-term condition. (More than one box can be
5
Certificate III (or Trade Certificate e.g. apprenticeship)
crossed.)
6
Certificate II
7
Certificate I
1
Hearing / deaf 8
Other certificate
2
Physical 9
Certificate of Competency or Proficiency
3
Intellectual 10
Statement of Attainment
4
Learning 11
Pre-vocational training
5
Mental illness 12
Other (please specify)
6
Acquired brain impairment
7
Vision
8
Medical condition
9
Other 13
None
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SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT

52. Do you have any suggestions for improving the training shown on the front of the form?
Please list up to 3 suggestions.

1.

2.

3.

53. We would appreciate if you could provide a daytime contact phone number in case we need to get further
information from you about any of your responses. You can be assured that all names, addresses and
telephone numbers will be deleted from the survey database at the end of the project.

Phone Number: ( )
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 Thank you for completing this form
Please return the form in the envelope provided
(no stamp required) to:
I-view Pty Ltd
Reply Paid 1213
EASTERN MC VIC 3110

FOLD

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