Prof. Erica Smith

Position: Emeritus Professor
Study area: Education
Location: Mt Helen Campus
Email: e.smith@federation.edu.au

Qualifications

Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - University of Ballarat - 2012
Graduate Diploma Vocational Education and Training - Charles Sturt University - 2001
Doctor of Philosophy - University of Technology, Sydney - 2000
Master of Business (Human Resource Management) - Charles Sturt University - 1995
Master of Arts (Area Studies) - University of London - 1976
Bachelor of Arts - Keele University - 1975

Teaching

Programs formerly taught

Associate Degree of Vocational Education and Training
Single subject course in Applied Research

Courses formerly taught

Applied research and reflective practice in VET (EDTAS1204)
VET links with the economy and industry (EDTAS2003)
Contemporary VET pedagogical Practice (EDTAS2005)
VET teaching and assessment practice (EDTAS1205)
Developing VET curriculum for training providers and industry (EDTAS1206)

Biography

Erica Smith joined Federation University Australia in March 2008. Prior to this she was Professor of Vocational Education and Training (VET) at Charles Sturt University where she was discipline leader in VET and convenor of Charles Sturt University's research grouping RIVET (Research in Vocational Education and Training) from 2003-2008. At the University of Ballarat, Erica was Dean of Graduate Studies from 2008-2010, then Chair of the dual-sector Curriculum Committee. She was appointed to a Personal Chair position in 2013. Erica was the convenor of FedUni’s research group Research in Adult and Vocational Education (RAVE) until 2023. In 2023, upon her retirement, Erica was appointed by the University Council as an Emeritus Professor.

Erica was convenor of the Australian, Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group from 2012-2023 https://www.acde.edu.au/networks-and-partnerships/acde-vocational-group/; and is a past President of the Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association (AVETRA) www.avetra.org.au. She is co-chair of the International network for Innovative Apprenticeships (INAP), and is a member of the editorial board of several international journals.

Erica has managed 30 national research projects including four Australian Research Council -funded grants; and several international projects. She is a peer assessor for ARC grants and for the Excellence in Research Australia exercise, and for funding schemes in other countries.

Erica's work has been cited in government inquiries many times, she has advised international governments, and she is frequently invited to speak to practitioner audiences. She has been the member of many national working parties in VET and in higher education. Since 2022 Erica has been a Ministerial appointment to the Advisory Board of the National Careers Institute and to the VET Workforce Blueprint Steering Committee.

In addition to her academic career, which began in 1993, Erica has worked as a personnel manager in industry, TAFE teacher, community worker, manager of a Registered Training Organisation and Executive Director of a State Industry Training Advisory Board.

Areas of expertise

In addition to research expertise Erica has practical and policy experience in:

VET curriculum and competency-based training including Training Packages
VET teachers and their qualifications
Apprenticeship systems

Research interests

Apprenticeships and traineeships
Competency-based training
VET policy
The 'school-to-work transition'
Workplace training
Vocational education and training (VET) practitioners
Concepts of skill in work

Australian Research Council Linkage projects:

2014, Smith, E., Yasukawa, K., Harris, R., & Tuck, J. Would more highly-qualified teachers and trainers help to address quality problems in the Australian vocational education and training system? ARC Linkage grant, $120,000 (Industry partner funds $45,000)

2012-15, Smith, E., Smith, A. & Walker, A. How do qualifications delivered by enterprises contribute to improved skill levels and other benefits for companies, workers and the nation? ARC Linkage grant, $180,000 (Industry partner funds $45,000)

2011-14, Smith, E., Hampson, I., Junor, A. & Smith, A. Recognising the skill in jobs traditionally considered unskilled. ARC Linkage grant LP110200888, $135,000. (Industry partner funds $75,000)

2006-08, Smith, E. & Patton W., Changing the way that Australian enter the workforce: Part-time working careers of young full-time school and tertiary students, ARC Linkage grant LP0667432, $94,142. (Industry partner funds $18,000).

Links to details of all of these projects can be found at RAVE (Researching Adult and Vocational Education).

Other funded projects over the past ten years:

2023. Smith, E. & Somers, P. Role of industry in teaching and learning. Victorian Skills Authority/AVETRA. ($23,760)

2021. Smith, E. Research and paper on ‘Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships.’ For international project on ‘Apprenticeships Development for Universal Lifelong Learning and Training (ADULT)’. International Labour Organization, Geneva, ($10,000 USD ($13,100 AUD)). https://www.ilo.org/skills/projects/adult/WCMS_861713/lang--en/index.htm

2021-2 Smith, E., Callan, V., Smith, A. Robinson, R. & Snell, D. Careers in everyday industries: Potential benefits of increased visibility, National Careers Industry Partnership Grants, NCIPI000505, $151,679.

2021. Smith, E. Research and paper on ‘Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships.’ For international project on the challenges for apprenticeships in the context of the future of work. International Labour Organization, Geneva, $10,000 USD ($13,100 AUD).

2020 Smith, E. VET Teaching Workforce in Australia, Korea Research Institute for VET (KRIVET). $2000 USD ($3,280 AUD).

2018. Smith, E. The role of intermediaries in apprenticeship systems. International Labour Organization, Geneva office. $14,000 USD. ($19,663 AUD)

2018 Smith, E., Weadon, H., Foley, A. & Harrison, T. Young futures: Education, training and employment decision-making in non-metropolitan areas. Department of Education and Training, Victoria, Strategic Research Seed Funding, $50,000.

2018 Smith, E. Australian component of ‘Tools for quality apprenticeships’, Skills that Work project, International Labour Organization, Geneva office.

2017 Smith, E. & Tuck, J. Collaboration on ILO survey report of national initiatives to promote quality apprenticeships in G20 countries.International Labour Organization, Geneva office.

2017 Smith, E. Research, Review and Development of a Revised Model of Quality Apprenticeship for Indonesia. International Labour Organization, Jakarta office, .

2017 Smith, E. Research and preparation of chapter for publication on Skills and Future of Work: Strategies for Inclusive Growth in Asia and the Pacific. (International Labour Organization, Bangkok office),

2015 Smith, E. ‘India’ case study on employer engagement in apprenticeships, OECD-ILO project on employer engagement in skills development.

2014 Guthrie, H., Clayton, B., Karmel, T. & Smith, E. Review of the effects of funding approaches on Service Skills qualifications and delivery in Victoria. Service Skills Victoria $75,000.

2014 Smith, E., Callan, V., Smith, A. & Tuck, J. Employer training in a changed environment. NCVER nationally competitive grant, $99,600.

2012 Smith, E., Brennan, Kemmis, R. and a team of international researchers. Possible futures for the Indian apprenticeships system. International Labour Organisation and World Bank, $66,033. This work was being used by the Indian government in the redevelopment of its apprenticeship system.

2012 Hodge, S., Smith, E. & Barratt-Pugh, L. Modelling learning and development industry practitioner needs. $22,125.

Unfunded research since 2018

2023 ‘VET teachers’ motivations for entering and remaining in the VET workforce’, with Daryl South and Annette Foley.

2021-22 ‘Applied research by VET practitioners: Students’ reflections’.

2021 ‘VET teachers’ work during COVID in 2020’, with Daryl South.

2020-2021‘Learning to be safer’ unfunded project, with Morgan Wise: two surveys, in 2020 and 2021, on people’s learning about aspects of COVID-19.

2020-21 ‘Teachers’ use of learning theories in vocational education and training’.

2018-19 ‘Learning to be greener’ unfunded project with Annette Foley and Morgan Wise.

Publications

Books (last 10 yrs)

Smith, E., Gonon, P. & Foley, A. (Eds.) (2015) Architectures for apprenticeship: Achieving economic and social goals. Proceedings of the Sixth Conference of the International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP). Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing.

Textbooks

Smith, E. & Keating, J. (2003). From training reform to Training Packages. Tuggerah Lakes, NSW: Social Science Press.

Smith, E. & Keating, J. (1997). Making sense of training reform and competency-based training. Wentworth Falls, NSW: Social Science Press.

Research reports

Smith, E., Callan, V., Robinson, R, Smith, A. & Snell, D. (2023). Careers in everyday industries: the potential benefits of increased visibility. Report submitted to the National Careers Institute, Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, April 2023.

Smith, E. (2022). Improving the attractiveness and social perception of apprenticeships. Geneva: ILO. https://www.ilo.org/skills/projects/adult/WCMS_861713/lang--en/index.htm

Smith, E. (2022) Landmarks in the Australian apprenticeship and traineeship system. Online, National Centre for Vocational Education Research (NCVER). https://www.voced.edu.au/vet-knowledge-bank-landmark-documents-apprenticeships-and-traineeships-historical-overview

Smith, E. (2020). The VET teaching workforce in Australia,Research report for the Korea Research Institute for VET (KRIVET). Access via https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/ieac/research/rave-researching-adult-and-vocational-education/recent-research

Smith, E. & Foley, A. (2019). Young futures: Education, training and employment decision-making in non-metropolitan areas. Report submitted to the Victorian Department of Education and Training, Victoria. September..Executive summary available on RAVE web site at https://federation.edu.au/institutes-and-schools/ieac/research/rave-researching-adult-and-vocational-education/recent-research

Smith, E. (2019). Intermediary organizations in apprenticeship systems. Geneva: International Labour Organization. https://www.ilo.org/skills/pubs/WCMS_725504/lang--en/index.htm ISBN: 978-92-2-133941-0

Smith E., Tuck, J. & Chatani, K. (2018). ILO Survey Report on the National Initiatives to Promote Quality Apprenticeships in G20 Countries. Geneva: International Labour Organization. ISBN : 978-92-2-030909-4 (print), 978-92-2-030910-0 (web pdf) https://www.ilo.org/employment/Whatwedo/Publications/WCMS_633677/lang--en/index.htm

Smith, E. (2017). Report on tripartite workshop on a Revised Model of Quality Apprenticeship for Indonesia. Written for the International Labour Organization, Bangkok office.

Smith, E., Smith, A., Tuck, J. & Callan, V. (2017). Employers’ use of training and partnerships with RTOs in Australia: continuity and change. Adelaide: NCVER.

Smith, E., Smith, A., & Walker, A. (2015). Enterprise Registered Training Organisations: Their operations, contributions and challenges, Project summary.http://federation.edu.au/schools/school-of-education/research/research-groups/rave-researching-adult-and-vocational-education/recent-research/qualifications-delivered-by-enterprise

Smith, E., Smith, A., Junor, A. & Hampson, I. (2015). Recognising the skill in jobs traditionally considered unskilled. Sydney: Manufacturing Skills Australia.

Guthrie, H., Smith, E., Burt, S. & Every, P. (2014). Review of the effects of funding approaches on Service Skills qualifications and delivery in Victoria. Melbourne: Service Skills Victoria.

Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis, R. (2013). Possible futures for the Indian apprenticeship system: Options paper for India. Geneva: ILO.

Smith, E., Brennan Kemmis, R., et al (2013). Towards a model apprenticeship framework: a comparative analysis of national apprenticeship systems. Geneva: ILO

Hodge, S., Smith, E. & Barratt-Pugh, L. (2013). Modelling learning and development industry practitioner needs: Research report. Sydney: Australian Institute of Training and Development.

Seddon, T., Bennett, D., Bobis, J., Bennett, S., Harrison, N., Shore, S., Smith, E. & Chan, P. (2012) Living in a 2.2 world: ERA, capacity building and the topography of Australian educational research, AARE-ACDE joint report.

Smith, E., Walker, A & Brennan Kemmis, R. (2011). Understanding the psychological contract in apprenticeships and traineeships to improve retention. Adelaide: NCVER.

Smith, E. & Teicher, J. (2011). Ways of seeing: Reconceptualising skills. Sydney.

Smith, E. & Bush, A. (2011). Apprenticeship and traineeship demand and supply: Employers' views. Occasional Paper, Written to inform DEEWR Expert Panel on Apprenticeship Reform. Adelaide: NCVER.

Book chapters (last 10 yrs)

Smith, E. (2023) Thirty years of competency-based training: How Australia painted itself into a curriculum corner. In International Encyclopedia of Education 4^th edition, 2022, ed. R. Tierney, F. Rizvi, K. Ercikan & G. Smith. Elsevier. pp 491-503. https://www.sciencedirect.com/referencework/9780128186299/international-encyclopedia-of-education

Smith, E. (2022). Australian TVET teacher training – once flourishing but now neglected, in F. Bunning, G. Spottl & H. Stolte (eds.), TVET teacher education and training in international and developmental co-operation – models, approaches and trends. Springer series: Technical and Vocational Education and Training: Issues, Concerns and Prospects. Vol 34, 435-452. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-6474-8_26

Smith, E. (2021). Getting ready for new apprenticeship arrangements for a new world of work. The next steps for apprenticeship. Cedefop reference series, No. 118. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. pp 57-68. https://www.cedefop.europa.eu/en/publications-and-resources/publications/3087

Smith, E. (2019) The importance of VET teacher professionalism: An Australian case study. In The International Handbook of Education for the Changing World of Work. edited by S. McGrath, J. Papier, M. Mulder & R. Stuart, Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-94532-3_23

Smith, E. (2019). How do vocational teachers keep up to date with trends in pedagogy and in industry? In M. Pilz (Ed), (Berufsbildung zwischen Tradition und Moderne (Vocational education and training: between tradition and modernity, Festschrift for Thomas Deissinger’s 60^th birthday. Wiesbaden, Germany: Springer, pp 365-380.

Smith, E. (2019). Occupational preparation for manual work: Fitter/machinists and concrete operators.In S. Loo (ed) Multiple dimensions of teaching and learning for occupational practice. Abingdon, UK: Springer, pp 37-55. https://www.routledge.com/Multiple-Dimensions-of-Teaching-and-Learning-for-Occupational-Practice/Loo/p/book/9781138585713

Smith E. (2018). Revisiting apprenticeships as a response to persistent and growing youth unemployment. In Skills and the Future of Work: Strategies for Inclusive Growth in Asia and the Pacific. International Labour Organization. Geneva: International Labour Organization. pp 160-179. https://www.ilo.org/asia/publications/WCMS_650239/lang--en/index.htm

Smith, E. (2016). Links between concepts of skill, concepts of occupation, and the training system: A case study of Australia. In S. Loo & J. Jameson (Eds). Vocationalism in further and higher education: Policy, programmes and pedagogy. London: Routledge, 65-77.

Smith, E. (2015). Using apprenticeship as a whole-of-workforce training strategy: What are the effects on training quality? In E. Smith, P. Gonon, P. & A. Foley (Eds.) Architectures for apprenticeship: Achieving economic and social goals. Melbourne: Australian Scholarly Publishing.

*Smith, E. (2013) ‘Qualifications for work and further learning’: The Australian approach to hybrid qualifications, in T. Deissinger, J. Aff., A. Fuller & C. Jorgensen, (Eds.) Hybrid qualifications: Structures and problems in the context of European VET policy. Bern, Switzerland: Peter Lang, pp 227-240.

Smith, E. (2013). Occupational identity in Australian traineeships: An initial exploration. In L. Deitmer, U. Hauschildt, F. Rauner and H. Zelloth (eds), The architecture of innovative Apprenticeship. Technical and Vocational Education and Training Series, Dordrecht: Springer, pp 131-141.

Refereed journal articles (last 10 yrs)

Smith, E. (published online 5.9.23).The narrative of a VET workforce shortage in Australia: Reality, myth or opportunity? Education + Training. http://doi.org/10.1108/ET-03-2023-0078

Smith, E. & Smith, A. (2023).Informal training and learning in Australian firms: A new perspective. International Journal of Training and Development. Published on-line 9.8.23. http://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12307

Smith, E. & Tuck, J. (2023). Do the qualifications of vocational teachers make a difference to their teaching? Research in Post-Compulsory Education. 28:1, 1-25. https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2023.2166690

Smith, E. (2023). Apprenticeships: The problem of attractiveness and the hindrance of heterogeneity. International Journal of Training and Development. 27:1, 18-38.

Smith E. (2022). Protecting us from the pandemic? Reframing the work of security officers in quarantine hotels in Australia. Labour and Industry. 32:3, 236-252. https://doi.org/10.1080/10301763.2022.2120349

Smith, E. (2022). Expanding or restricting access to tertiary education? A tale of two sectors and two countries. Research in Post-Compulsory Education. 27:3, pp 500-523. https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2022.2076059

Smith, E. (2021). The expansion and contraction of the apprenticeship system in Australia, 1985-2020. Journal of Vocational Education and Training.73:2, 336-365.

Smith, E. (2021, published online 14.5.21).The expansion and contraction of the apprenticeship system in Australia, 1985-2020. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, special edition, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1080/13636820.2021.1894218

Smith, E. (2020). Afterword: A fresh look at workplace learning for VET teachers. International Journal of Training Research, Special edition, 18:1, 84-92. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14480220.2020.1757890

Barratt-Pugh, L., Hodge, S., & Smith, E. (2020). Learning and development practitioners: identity, profession and future trajectory. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources, vol 58:2, 220-246.

Smith, E., Callan, V., Tuck, J. & Smith, A. (2019). Employer training in Australia: Current practices and concerns. International Journal of Training and Development, 23(2), 169-183. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12152

Smith, E. (2019). Apprenticeships and ‘future work’: Are we ready? International Journal of Training and Development, special edition on apprenticeships. 23:1, 69-88. https://doi.org/10.1111/ijtd.12145 Video-byte at https://vimeo.com/309882710 or https://players.brightcove.net/3806881048001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5996993485001

Barratt-Pugh, L., Hodge, S., & Smith, E. (published on-line, 2018). Learning and development practitioners: identity, profession and future trajectory. Asia Pacific Journal of Human Resources. DOI 10.1111/1744-7941.12207

Smith, E. & Yasukawa, K. (2017). What makes a good vocational education and training (VET) teacher? Views of Australian VET students and teachers. International Journal of Training Research, 15:1, 23-40.

Smith, E. & Teicher, J. (2017). Re-thinking skill through a new lens: Evidence from three Australian service industries. Journal of Education and Work, Issue 5.

Smith, E. (2016). Apprenticeship management at national and company levels: Good practice principles derived from recent research. International Journal of HRD Practice, Policy & Research, 1:1, 35-52.

Smith, E., Hodge, S. & Yasukawa, K. (2015) Australian VET teacher education in Australian universities: Who are the students and what are their views about their courses? Research in Post-Compulsory Education, 20:4, 419-433.

Smith, E., Yasukawa, K. & Hodge, S. (2015) Australian VET teacher education: What is the benefit of pedagogical studies at university for VET teachers? TVET@Asia, Issue 5, July.

Smith, E., Smith, A., Hampson, I. & Junor, A. (2015).How closely do Australian Training Package qualifications reflect the skills in occupations? An empirical investigation of seven qualifications. International Journal of Training Research, 13;1, 49-63.

Smith, E. (2014).Voices from a small discipline: How an education sub-discipline made sense of journal rankings. International Journal of Training Research, 12:3, 227-241.

Smith, E., Brennan Kemmis, R. and Comyn, P. (2014). How can the expansion of the apprenticeship system in India create conditions for greater equity and social justice? Australian Journal of Adult Learning, 54:3, 368-388.

Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis, R. (2014) Credit transfer from VET to Higher Education: A pathways policy meets a roadblock. Research in Post Compulsory Education. 19(2), 230-244.

Bennett, D., Smith, E., Bennett, S., Bobis, J., Harrison, N. & Seddon, T. (2013) Who is conducting what types of educational research in Australia and how can their work be supported? Australian Educational Researcher. 40: 4, 473-492. DOI 10.1007/s13384-013-0106-z

Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis, R (2013). Good practice principles in apprenticeship systems: An international study. TVET@ASIA - The Online Journal for Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Asia, 1:1.

Dumbrell, T. & Smith, E. (2013) Pre-apprenticeships in Australia: Differing orientations and their policy implications. Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 65:2, 161-176.

Smith, E. & Patton, W. (2013): Part-time working by students: is it a policy issue, and for whom? Journal of Education and Work, 26:1, 48-76

Smith, E. (2012). Getting in through the front door: The first hurdle of researching in companies. International Journal of Training Research 10:3, 153-163.

Walker, A., Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis, R. (2012). The psychological contract in apprenticeships and traineeships: Comparing the perceptions of employees and employers. International Employment Relations Review, 18:1,66-81.

Smith, E. & Smith, A. (2012). Buying out teaching for research: The views of academics and their managers. Higher Education: The International Journal of Higher Education and Educational Planning. 63;4, 455-472

Refereed conference papers (last 10 yrs)

Smith, E. & Foley, A. (2021). Choosing VET as a post-school activity: What are some influences on non-metropolitan students? Recover, rethink and rebuild: All eyes on VET, Annual Conference of AVETRA, on-line, April 19-23.

* Smith. E. (2019). Environmental sustainability practices: How adults learn. In J. Holford (Ed.), Proceedings of the SCUTREA (Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults) Adult Education 100: Reflections & Reconstructions, July 2-4 (pp. 97-106), University of Nottingham, U.K. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qUsLRh8y8fjUZcEDUS1TwnS9bHRHhT5q/view

* Smith. E., & Foley, A. (2019). Young people’s decision-making as they leave school in non-metropolitan areas in Australia: Insights from those working with young people. In J. Holford (Ed.), Proceedings of the SCUTREA (Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults) Adult Education 100: Reflections & Reconstructions (pp. 107-14), July 2-4, University of Nottingham, U.K.

Smith, E. (2019). Making a difference or making a dollar? Intermediary organisations in apprenticeships. 'No future for old VET': Researching for the training system/s of tomorrow’: 22^nd Annual conference of AVETRA, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, June 17-18. http://www.avetra.org.au/pages/publications-conference-archives-46.html

Smith E. (2019). Competency-based training Australian style: How it exposes VET to risk. 'No future for old VET': Researching for the training system/s of tomorrow’: 22^nd Annual conference of AVETRA, Western Sydney University, Parramatta, June 17-18.http://www.avetra.org.au/pages/publications-conference-archives-46.html

Smith, E. (2019). A small study of big issues in apprenticeship: Companies’ apprenticeship management practices in Australia, Contemporary Apprenticeship Reforms and Reconfigurations, 8th International INAP Conference, March 21st-22nd, Konstanz, Germany. Proceedings edited by Deißinger, T., Hauschildt, U., Gonon, P. & Fischer, S. ISBN 3-643-91114-8 http://www.lit-verlag.de/isbn/3-643-91114-8.

Smith, E. (2017). Teaching practices among college-based teachers of apprentices. In R. Lerman & E. Okoli (Eds) (2017), Proceedings, Modern apprenticeships: Widening their scope, sustaining their quality, 7th Research Conference of the International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship, US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Washington, 1-2 October, pp. 47-53. http://www.inap.uni-bremen.de/

Smith, E. & Junor, A. (2016). Using multiple iterative research methods in a national research project. ACSPRI (Australian Consortium for Political and Social Research Inc.) Social Science Methodology Conference, University of Sydney, 19-22 July.

Smith, E. & Yasukawa, K. (2016). Views of VET teachers, managers and students about VET teacher qualifications. Putting VET research to work: Collaboration, Innovation, Prosperity. 19^th Annual Australian Vocational Education and Training Research Association Conference, TAFE Northern Sydney campus, 21-22 April.

Smith, E., Smith. A. and Walker, A. (2015). When employers become training providers: What are some institutional issues? Work and Learning in the Era of Globalisation: Challenges for the 21^st Century,9th International Conference on Researching Work and Learning, School of the Arts, Singapore, 9-11 December.

Smith, E., & Smith. A. (2015). Work and learning in jobs that are traditionally considered unskilled or low-skilled. Work and Learning in the Era of Globalisation: Challenges for the 21^st Century,9th International Conference on Researching Work and Learning, School of the Arts, Singapore, 9-11 December.

Guthrie, H. & Smith, E. (2015). The effects of a radical change in funding rules for VET in Victoria, Australia. In L. Fraser and R. Mas Giralt (eds.) It’s all adult education: 42^nd annual conference of SCUTREA, the Standing Conference on University Teaching and Research in the Education of Adults, University of Leeds, 7-9 July, pp 214-221.

Smith, E., Smith. A., Walker, A. & Costa, B. (2015). Enterprise RTOs in Australia: An overview from research data. Walking the Tightrope: 18th annual AVETRA Conference, Melbourne, 9-10 April.

Junor, A., Hampson, I., Smith, E. & Smith, A. (2014). Views of skill in low-wage jobs: Australian security guards and cleaners. 28th Association of Industrial Relations Academics of Australia and New Zealand (AIRAANZ) Conference. Melbourne, 5-7 February 2014.

Smith, E. Smith, A, Hampson, I. & Junor, A. (2014). What do senior figures in Australian VET and industrial relations think about the concept of skill in work? Informing Changes in VET Policy and Practice: The Central Role of Research, 17^th annual 2014 AVETRA Conference, Surfers Paradise, 22-24 April.

Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis, R. (2013). Learning to work in a globalised economy: How countries use apprenticeship systems to assist school leavers. Global learning: VET network and IVETA Association 2013 International Conf., Melbourne 14-16 August.

Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis. (2013). Globalising the apprenticeship concept: How far can apprenticeship systems be compared across countries and what can be gained? Apprenticeship in a Globalised World: Premises, Promises and Pitfalls: INAP (Network on Innovative Apprenticeship) Conference University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, April 23-24.

Smith, E. & Brennan Kemmis, R. (2012). Good practice in apprenticeship systems: Evidence from an international study. Collaboration in Technical and Vocational Education & Training: Second UPI International Conference on Technical and Vocational Education & Training. Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia, Bandung, 4-5 December. Selected for plenary presentation.

Smith, E. (2012). 'The national custodian': How interest groups and academics combine to restrict access of working people to qualifications. The value and voice of VET research: For individuals, industry, community and the nation. 15th Conference of the Australian VET Research Association, Rydges Hotel Capital Hill, Canberra, 12-13 April.

Smith, E. (2012). Managing apprentices and managing PhD students: Current concerns and transferable tips. The value and voice of VET research: For individuals, industry, community and the nation. 15th Conference of the Australian VET Research Association, Rydges Hotel Capital Hill, Canberra, 12-13 April.

Associations

Co-chair, International Network on Innovative Apprenticeship (INAP)
Immediate past convenor, The Australian Council of Deans of Education Vocational Education Group