What is happening to training?: what the ABS training surveys tell us

Two sets of surveys provide information about the extent of employer-supported education and training in Australia. The Training Expenditure Surveys (the Expenditure surveys) are based on information from firms while the Surveys of Education and Training Experience (The Experience surveys) are based on the responses of workers. Both cover a period from the late 1980s to the mid to late 1990s. The Expenditure surveys show a decline in the hours of external training provided by employers from 1993 to 1996. In contrast, the Experience surveys show a substantial increase in the hours of employer-supported external training received by workers over a similar period. This paper attempts to reconcile these findings and to identify the important trends in the provision of firm-based education and training.