Industry-school partnerships: A strategy to enhance education and training opportunities

Abstract

This report provides an overview of the Australian Research Council’s Linkage project: LP100200052 Industry-School Partnerships (ISPs), a strategy to enhance education and training opportunities. The project investigated partnership arrangements designed to be effective for knowledge networking and innovation in school and industry learning environments. We sought to identify the mechanisms through which ISPs mediate quality student learning outcomes. The research project was situated in the state of Queensland, Australia where a large-scale ISP called the Gateway to Industry Schools Program has existed since 2006. Six industry sectors, including agribusiness, aerospace, building and construction, manufacturing and engineering, minerals and energy, and wine tourism, together with 130 schools are involved. This project is significant because, despite the substantial investments being made by governments, schools and industries, it is the first comprehensive study of ISPs that incorporates a macro and micro level analysis. Findings from the project provide a strong evidence base for ongoing policy development and implementation of partnership strategies in Queensland. Models and principles for effective partnerships between educators and employers are presented, together with policy and practitioner implications for key stakeholders.