Developing industry linkages: Learning from practice

Overview

The Australian vocational education and training (VET) system is based on strong connections between providers of training and industry sectors. This is especially demonstrated through competencies and standards - developed by collaboration between the sectors - that guide the direction of entry-level training at the post-compulsory and secondary school levels.

School linkages

Post-compulsory institutions and secondary school providers will also link with industry in the provision of workplace training in the form of work experience and the more structured and formal vocational placements. To provide extra opportunities for students to undertake a variety of industry programs, schools have clustered together to pool and share resources. Clusters have used these resources to pay the salaries of work placement co-ordinators who have responsibility for establishing industry linkages and locating placements. Where possible these co-ordinators have also established strong linkages with specific industries to provide regular placements for their cluster. In other instances, co-ordinators have the ongoing task of locating ongoing placements, explaining to employers the training required, and establishing guidelines for assessment and reporting. These tasks are labour-intensive and at times there is a concern that much of the work by co-ordinators and teachers of vocational programs in schools is not being acknowledged by adequate funding.

Post-school linkages

In post-compulsory institutions (TAFE institutes, private VET providers) the linkages are generally reflected in the development and implementation of industry training packages, the composition of course advisory groups, and partnerships between employers in the delivery of apprenticeship and traineeship training. The sharing of responsibilities for the development and training of apprentices with training providers delivering the off-the-job components of the training and employers delivering the on-the-job components of the training forms a crucial part of the linkage. In addition, providers are always on the lookout for partnerships with employers to provide training for existing workers.

A number of concerns relating to the training package for a specific area has been identified by a number of providers participating in this study. Generally speaking, these concerns relate to the ability of school leavers in institutional pathways to follow a program which is more customised to the needs of existing workers. These concerns have been highlighted by providers of training in information technology, travel and tourism and electrical/electronics. In addition there is a concern that there is duplication or overlap between the various qualifications for the travel and tourism industry.

Major benefits

A number of benefits derives from the development of industry linkages for secondary and post-secondary providers. These include:

• training packages which facilitate the recognition and portability of qualifications
• facilitating industry input for off-the-job training
• streamlining and centralising arrangements for work placements
• developing student skills and awareness of suitable occupations and organisations
• improving the public image of employers
• improving teacher awareness of industry developments

Concerns

Although the benefits derived from healthy linkages between providers and industry clearly outweigh the difficulties, there are also a number of concerns. These concerns relate to the training packages themselves and their limitations in terms of meeting the needs of students in institutional pathways - the situation whereby it is possible for trainees to enrol in specialist courses before they have the necessary underpinning or foundation knowledge.

Furthermore, while the training package allows employers to customise the training program to suit their workplace needs, there is a concern that this customisation may not help trainees or apprentices when they move to other workplaces.

Policy implications

Implications for policy relate to:

• improving the resources and funds that are available for the implementation of successful school - industry programs
• promoting a role for industry which is proactive
• reviewing the different training packages to meet the needs of students on different pathways, and to reduce the duplication of qualifications
• ensuring that students learn skills which can be transferred to other situations and future workplaces

Concluding remarks

The findings of this study indicate that the nurturing of linkages between training providers and industry is essential to the provision of adequate and relevant skill development. However, the findings also highlight a number of concerns that need to be addressed.