The document is an annual report submitted by the Workplace Learning and Organisational Development Designated Research Group (DRG) at the University of Western Sydney for the year 1998. It summarizes the DRG's research activities and outcomes for the year. Key points include: - The DRG shifted its focus to educational innovation and changes to work organization, with a focus on partnerships, work-based learning, and sustainable educational models. - Major projects included research on staff retention in community organizations and the development of Australia's first work-based degree in the social sciences through an industry partnership. - The DRG also engaged in other projects related to school-to-work transition pathways, skills development, and

1. UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN SYDNEY
Nepean
Research Office
DESIGNATED RESEARCH GROUP
Annual Report for
Activity in 1998
• As you are aware, one of the conditions of a UWS Nepean Designated Research Group is the submission of an annual
report.
• When completed, this report should be sent to: The Administration Officer
Research Office
UWS Nepean
Kingswood Campus
• All entries on this form should be typed. This form is also available electronically on the Research Office Home Page.
SECTION A - IDENTIFICATION
Year of Designation Cost Centre Funding Received
1996 02640 7226 Central Host Academic Unit
10,000 $
Name of Group:
Workplace Learning and Organisational Development
Co–ordinator: Host Academic Unit
R.Wagner/M.Childs SCOS
Members of the Group: Academic Unit
Dr. Regine Wagner SCOS
Merilyn Childs SCOS
Peter Turner SCOS (Now LLL)
Paul van Reyk Research Assistant
Nigel Spence Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA)
Eric Scott ACWA
Mick Houlbrook Centre for Community Welfare Training (CCWT)
Summarise the focus of the DRG and its achievement in the report year in not more than seven (7) lines in a form suitable for
publicity purposes, and understandable to the intelligent layperson. Comment, where relevant, on the benefits arising from
the work.
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 1 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

2. During 1998 the DRG sharpened its focus. It shifted from its interest during 1995-1997 when it focussed on workplace
learning and organisational development, reviewing the training reform agenda and small business learning. During 1998
it concentrated on two main areas:
 investigation of concepts and models of educational innovation. This innovation recognised the dynamic nature of
relationships and interactions of peoples, organisations, communities and regions.
 changes to work organisation. This innovation recognised that the above changes are occurring during a period of
transition for industrial to post-industrial forms of work The key words that guided this development were ‘partnerships’,
‘workbased learning’, ‘recognition of prior learning’, and ‘sustainable and defensible educational modelling’.
The shift in focus oriented the DRG towards two significant developments:
1. An involvement in corporate activities at UWSN, through unfunded research and development projects and committee
activities
2. The development of the first workbased degree in Australia in the social sciences, through an industry-university
partnership. with the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) and the Centre for Community Welfare
Training (CCWT).
SECTION B - RESEARCH OVERVIEW
Please detail the research outcomes and activities of the DRG. Please comment on the major objectives of the work and on
how they were achieved. Please provide a more extended statement if necessary (maximum 2 pages).
A) ACWA Partnership
The DRG’s partnership with the Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) and the Centre for Community
Welfare Training (CCWT) has led to the development of a long term research plan. This plan links the investigation
workplace issues in community service organisations with improvement of service delivery and the development of
appropriate qualifications and qualification processes.
Three projects are currently in progress.
1. Significant Factors in Staff Retention, Job Satisfaction and Morale in Community Organisations (Total grant $ 8500, jointly
funded by ACWA, DRG, UWS Nepean and SCOS)
This pilot project investigates relevant individual, organisational and political factors contributing to job satisfaction, retention
and morale in three organisations in the Penrith region. They are: a government department, a large charitable organisation,
and a small community based organisation. The research will combine a set of research tools capable of accessing data on all
three levels and with a view to translate the information into intervention strategies enhancing the job satisfaction, retention
and morale of workers in the sector. As a pilot this project is meant to feed into a statewide project investigating the same
issues with a larger sample of organisations, including those in rural and remote areas. The statewide project was subject of an
unsuccessful SPIRT submission. This project is approaching its conclusion.
2. Managerial and leadership responsibilities in community organisations.
Database of existing levels and types of qualifications, training and experience of managers in community service
organisations and the development of a current capability model able to represent the required skills, knowledge, and
experience for management positions in this sector. (Total grant $24,500, jointly funded by UWS Nepean and ACWA)
This project responds to the changing requirements of community services managers who are increasingly called upon to
manage non-profit organisations as for profit enterprises. The inherent difficulties and contradictions as well as the demands
of managerial approaches to organisational development have created a ‘capability’ gap. This project aims to identify the
actual skills and knowledge requirements and to develop a relevant capability model. In this process, a database on current
levels and types of qualifications, training and experience will be established. Data entry is currently under way.
3. The development of a workbased qualification for workers in community services. (Secondment)
Hand in hand with the projects mentioned above goes the development of accessible qualifications for the community services
sector. The sector is known to be under-resourced and underqualified and the development of appropriate and accessible
learning processes is of high priority. The DRG together with ACWA is conducting a consultation and curriculum
development project resulting in the development of a workbased degree to be jointly delivered by SCOS and CCWT. ($8500,
funded by ACWA). Two workbased degrees have commenced in February March 1999, in Alice Springs and New South
Wales.
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 2 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

3. B. School to Work Transition
The development of (seamless) pathways between employment and education is at the basis of the DRG’s overall concepts of
partnership developments, the integration of social, learning and work that occurs in workbased learning models. In this area,
a postgraduate scholarship has been established to develop this research focus in the area of school to work transition. The
NCVER funded scholarship was taken up by Peter Turner who subsequently developed and/or participated in three funded
research projects in the area of school to work transition research. a). School-to-work Pathways – This project is funded
by the Western Sydney Research Institute to map the existing pathways in the Western Sydney Region $ (Ongoing) Regine
Wagner, Merilyn Childs and Peter Turner
b) Fairfield Community Learning Networks and Skills Development – this project is funded by Fairfield Council and is
jointly managed by Steve Wilson, Lyn Bayn and Peter Turner. $(Ongoing)
c) Education and Industry in Partnership project, ‘Young People and the Renewal of Rural Communities’ $ (Completed)
This project investigated models for participation and renewal of regional and rural communities through the involvement of
young people in regional development and jobs renewal. Merilyn Childs and Peter Turner
D. Other Industry and Cross-Institutional Partnerships, and Corporate Programs
1. NSW Fire Brigades
The DRG continued to develop its partnership with NSW Fire Brigades through the Inspector’s Promotion Program (IPP) and
consultation and negotiation for the Station Officers Promotion Program (SOPP) tied to a proposed Bachelor of Arts and
post-graduate degrees in SCOS. ($8,000) These developments reflect an overall partnership with Linkwest in the development
of concepts and models for industry-UWSN partnerships
2. Hardies Building Products
The DRG provided RPL services to Hardies to assist on-line managers access post-graduate programs at UWSN ($800)
3. Canberra Institute of Technology
The DRG is working in partnership with SCOS to develop a cross-institutional post-graduate program with CIT in social
sciences to be offered jointly in 2000.
E. Unfunded Research and Development for UWSN.
1. APL Research Project
A research project investigating Accredited Prior Learning and Recognition of Prior Learning for UWSN. (1998-99)
2. Modelling Partnerships
A research project that differentiated models of partnerships, drawing on international and Australian literature, for UWSN
Future Directions Committee. (1998)
3. Collocation Projects
The DRG has initiated and provided project management for the first industry collocation projects for the Innovations
Precinct, Werrington North. (1998-99)
4. Centralian College
The DRG and SCOS have established an office at Centralian College in Alice Springs for a Workbased Learning Coordinator
managing the Graduate Diploma of Social Sciences (Community Studies). Negotiations are currently underway to develop
future collaborations, including research, development and post-graduate opportunities (1998-99)
SECTION C - TRAINING OUTCOMES, PERSONNEL EMPLOYED
a) Please list postgraduate students, research assistants or senior research fellows associated with the group:
Research Students: Research assistants:
Peter Turner Paul van Reyk
Merilyn Childs Dionne McDonald
Jack Frawley Rosemary Thompson (CADFL)
b) Please detail postgraduate research study possibilities created and links with other similar national and
international research groups or centres that may have been established:
Post-graduate research possibilities established:
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 3 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

4. The DRG has developed two research projects for potential post-graduate study in 1999-2000:
1. A project that investigates the implications and management of multi-job careers. Funding is being sought for this project
through NCVER VET Training Research Projects Category 2: Open Category, in 1999.
2. A project that investigates models of workbased learning, and the implications for course development, professional
educator skills, management and funding. The first two phases of this project- a literature review and a ‘tool kit’- will
form a platform for post-graduate research and has been seeded by the DRG for $4,000
SECTION D - RESEARCH FUNDING
1. Please list all projects showing a project title, project summary, source of funding, DRG researchers, and amount of
funding received (additional pages may be inserted).
Any externally funded or UWS Nepean funded projects should be submitting a final report (and progress report where
applicable) to the Research Office. For those unfunded projects researchers are required to submit a DECLARATION OF
DATA RETENTION AND STORAGE form to the Research Office. This can be down loaded from the Research Office
website at <http://www.nepean.uws.edu.au/research/ROforms>
1. Project Title:
Significant Factors in Job Satisfaction, Staff Morale and Staff Retention in Child Welfare
Agencies
Project Summary:
A pilot project investigating significant factors contributing to job satisfaction and staff
morale in community service organisations. Penrith region, government and non-government
service providers.
Source of Funding: UWS Nepean/SCOS/ACWA/DRG (8,500)
Researcher/s: Wagner/Spence/Scott/van Reyk
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
2. Project Title:
Management and Leadership Responsibilities
Project Summary: Questionnaire based Research on existing and required skills/knowledge/qualifications of
managers and leaders in community organisations. Development of a capability model and
appropriate workbased learning strategies and models.
Source of Funding: UWS Nepean/ACWA (UWSN Partnership Program) (24,000)
Researcher/s: Wagner/Childs/Spence/Houlbrook/van Reyk
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
3. Project Title: Workbased Degrees as Flexible Learning strategy
Project Summary: Action research. Documentation and modelling of a workbased degree. Development of staff
training programs.
Source of Funding: CADFL ($24,000)
Researcher/s: Childs/Wagner
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
4. Project Title:
School to Work Pathways
Project Summary: Mapping existing school to work pathways in the Western Sydney Region. Modelling
additional pathways.
Source of Funding: WSRI (25,000)
Researcher/s: Peter Turner
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
5. Project Title: Fairfield Community Learning Networks and Skills Development
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 4 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

5. Project Summary:
Source of Funding: Fairfield Council/ UWS Nepean ( UWSN Partnerships Program )
Researcher/s: Lyn Bayn - Employment Relations
Steve Wilson - Lifelong Learning
Peter Turner - WLOD
Funding in Calender Year: 1998/99
6. Project Title: School to Work Transition – Postgraduate Scholarship
Project Summary: Transferring, analysing and modelling school to work pathways developed in South Australia
to greater Western Sydney.
Source of Funding: NCVER (20,000)
Researcher/s: Peter Turner
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
7. Project Title: Education and Industry Partnerships- ‘Young People and the Renewal of Rural
Communities’
Project Summary: Developing models for the participation of young people in rural and remote communities in
regional and jobs renewal
Source of Funding: Premier’s Department, Victoria ($7,086)
Researcher/s: Merilyn Childs,Peter Turner
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
8. Project Title: Accredited Prior Learning Research Project
Project Summary: This project has two stages:
1. Various APL and RPL models existing in Australia and internationally will be
investigated and synthesised. Appropriate policy and procedures for UWSN will be
developed. Findings to be implemented from 2000.
2. The development of a user-friendly APL handbook for students, and self-paced
professional development for staff at UWSN.
Source of Funding: Unfunded.
Researcher/s: Merilyn Childs and Rosemary Thompson (CADFL)
Funding in Calender Year: 1999
9. Project Title:
Project Summary: Partnership Modelling
The development of a position paper on strategic partnership development for UWSN Future
Directions Committee
Source of Funding: Unfunded
Researcher/s: Merilyn Childs, Judith Field(Linkwest), Regine Wagner
Funding in Calender Year: 1998
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 5 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

6. 2. Please list all applications submitted for funding, the source of funding, DRG researchers, amount of funding requested,
and the anticipated project timeframe.
1. ARC SPIRT, Significant factors in Job Satisfaction, Staff Morale and Staff Retention in Child Welfare Agencies.
Regine Wagner, Merilyn Childs $ 92,000 (1999- 2000) unsuccessful
3. DETYA, Support Models to assist New Apprenticeship Completions. Merilyn Childs, Regine Wagner, with James Cook
University and Tropical Nth Queensland TAFE Institute. $677,698 (Feb 1999 – June 2000) unsuccessful
3. NCVER The impact of the casualisation of the VET labour market on educational futures, Merilyn Childs, $50,000 (April,
1999- April 2000) unsuccessful
SECTION E - RESEARCH OUTPUT
1. SUMMARY: Indicate any outputs to date. (Where relevant, write the number in each box).
Books Computer Programs
Chapters in Books Videos
Refereed Journal Papers 4 Unpublished Conference Papers
Journal Article Public Broadcasts, Recordings,
1 Papers in Conference Proceedings Performances or Exhibitions
Patents Articles Submitted
Reports to Government 3 Other: Book Review, internal
paper,published internet discussion
2. Please list all DRG outputs with full references grouped in the above categories (additional pages may be inserted).
During the 1998-99 period the WLOD focussed attention on the redevelopment of its activities, and publications did not form
a strong part of this development. In recognition of this uneven development, the WLOD has targeted publications as its
key priority for 2000-2002. The workbased learning seed project, funded by the DRG in 1999, is the first step in this
development, and will form the basis of a number of journal articles to be written in 1999-2000.
In addition, the WLOD intends to
 develop a ‘how to’ book in 2000 for the management of multi-job careers
 host a scholarly debate about changes to work organisation and implications, and publish proceedings in partnership with
the NSW Labor Council (under negotiation)
 host a scholarly conversation between Peter Jarvis (a leading UK adult educator), Chris Duke and adult educators in
western Sydney about the changing nature of adult education as social action, and publish proceedings (May, 1999)
 publish an internal research report for the Flexible Learning Grant
 develop a research partnership with NSW Fire Brigades
 publish the findings of current research projects with ACWA (see above)

Childs,M.Wagner,R.: A failure of the imagination-towards a critical review of VET sector orthodoxy. VET Research,
Influencing policy and practice. Proceedings of the first national conference of the Australian Vocational Education and
Training Research Association. 1998, pp 229-234.
Childs,M.,Wagner,R.: A town like Alice, workbased degrees as social, community and organisational research. AVETRA
Annual Conference Melbourne, February 11-12, 1999
Wagner,R., Childs,M., Sefton, R., Waterhouse,and P.: Methods in VET Research, AVETRA Annual Conference Melbourne,
February 11-12 ,1999
Wagner,R.: The future of voluntary work: answers to 3 questions. Internet Conference Section. Opening new perspectives to
enhance volunteer work in Germany, Berlin, 4-5 December 1998
Wagner, R., Spence, N. Significant Factors in Staff Retention, Job Satisfaction and Morale in Children’s Welfare Agencies. A
research report. Improving Services for Children, Youth and Families, ACWA Bi-annual International Conference:
Sydney, 24-27 August 1998
Wagner, R. Opening doors for workplace learning, book review, Australian Training Review, 1999, no 29. P.31
Wagner, R.: Not a one-day wonder. racism, popularism and the politics of the New Right in Australia. Junge Welt, 24th
September 1998, Vol.223, p10-11 (in German)
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 6 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

7. Childs, M.Field, J., Wagner, R.: Partnerships and Workbased Learning, a discussion paper for the ‘Future Directions’ -
Committee, UWS Nepean, June 1998
Wagner,R. The changing relationship between employment, unemployment and Volunteerism, Summary of Internet
Discussion, Jahrbuch 1999 der Akademie fuer Ehrenamtlichkeit in der Jugenhilfe. p.30, Foerderverein fuer Jugend und
Sozialarbeit e.V. Berlin (in German)
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 7 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

8. 3. Please list all submitted DRG outputs with full reference grouped in the above publications categories (additional pages
may be inserted).
SECTION F - BUDGET
1. Please detail the actual expenditure, and comment on the relationship between anticipated expenditure as outlined in your
submission, and actual expenditure.
The budget was expended as per submission. All funds went to pay for administrative and clerical support.
.............................................. ...........................………..................... .........................
Co–ordinator’s Signature Head, Host Academic Unit Signature Date
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 8 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998

9. NB Have you attached the Declaration of Data Retention and Storage for any unfunded projects (refer to Section D)?
UWS Nepean Designated Resarch Group - 9 of 6 - DRG Annual Report 1998