AVETRA Conference Papers 1999 1 QUALITY AND DIVERSITY IN VET RESEARCH: THE CAPABILITY PERSPECTIVE

This paper presents an argument that the issues surrounding Quality and Diversity in VET Research can benefit from a consideration of what has emerged in the recent three years as the "Capability perspective". There has been much research and consideration of approaches to Vocational Education and Training here in Australia and in other countries over the past decade based on what has been termed the Competency-based perspective. Research has examined the theory, models, applications and the development and evaluation of a wide range of training packages, modules and materials based in this paradigm. There has been criticism and some reassessment of the approach and the alleged "practical " and "industry led " necessity for this model to dominate. More recently, an approach which claims to move "beyond competency " has emerged and been propagated and fostered by a national body (The Australian Capability Network). Quite recently some research and further elaboration of the theory, models and positions associated with this perspective has begun to emerge both here in Australia and in the United Kingdom. This paper traces the development of the Capability perspective, argues that the theory and models underpinning the most recent research are well grounded and asserts some ideas for the continued development of this paradigm as a means of further emphasis on quality and diversity in VET research in Australia