Guest posting to voced-coord email list. Item 3 of 15:

Date: Fri, 13 Feb 1998 09:46:26 +1100
To: voced-coord@owl.qut.edu.au
From: Brigid Freeman
Subject: VocEd:Brigid Freeman (guest)- Outcomes of ASTF Employer Consultations

Interesting question Ty (as always!). One of the reasons why the ASTF is changing is in response to some of the issues and questions employers and industry association representatives raised during national consultations held during 1997. An overview of the outcomes of these consultations are provided below. Some of the issues particularly relate to Ty's question ie. how do you facilitate a transition from 'community service' driven involvement, to longer term commitment (potentially including participation in such programs as a positive recruitment mechanism), and "what do participating employers think about incentives etc".

In addition to the notes above, the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry have also done some research on these questions. Email Andrew Egan at the ASTF if you would like a copy.

These notes relate to perspectives of:
Chambers of Commerce
local employers involved in Management Committees
local employers involved in providing workplacements
Group Training Company representatives

as identified through the national ASTF consultations in 1997.

Following the announcement by the Federal Government regarding the continuation of the ASTF past the original sunset clause of June 1998, consultations were conducted with key stakeholders to provide an opportunity for input, comment and questions from education, industry and community partners.

Consultations were conducted with:

Employer groups (Chambers of Commerce and Industry; local employers involved in Management Committees, or involved in the provision of workplacements; and Group Training Companies);

Year 9/10 practitioners; and

Industry Training Advisory Boards and representatives from the ACACA agencies (Australian Council of Curriculum Advisers).

A brief overview of the outcomes of the employer group consultations is provided below, as these consultations provided one of the foundations for the emerging "new ASTF".

EMPLOYER GROUPS:

The Industry Participation in ?school-workplace learning programs? report, based on a National Industry Survey of ASTF Affiliates, established that approximately 40% of affiliates operate with the involvement of their local Chamber of Commerce.

National consultations with representatives of Chambers of Commerce and Business Enterprise Centres revealed the following:

participants identified workplace learning as a positive stimulus to business, and an effective means of ensuring a higher degree of "work readiness" for young people;

some Chamber representatives view local Chambers as appropriate resource bases for workplacement co-ordination, particularly given the stated "educative role" of a number of such organisations for local business, parents, school personnel and careers advisers;

barriers to participation identified included: insufficient resources, time and financial support; lack of consultation with local Management Committees, or state VET in Schools Committees; and time-lags in terms of school cultural change (such that industry is embraced as a genuinely valued education and training partner);

Chamber representatives indicated that previous experiences could prove to be significant disincentives, where such experiences were not positive;

Chambers, and/or individual members of local Chambers of Commerce, are more likely to participate in initiatives where communication between education and industry partners is clear, consistent and user friendly.

In terms of the role(s) of Chambers of Commerce (or individual members affiliated with the local Chamber of Commerce), the "Industry Participation in school-workplace learning programs" report revealed that where a Chamber of Commerce is (1) established where the program is established; and (2) involved with the school-workplace learning program/s:

• 69% are involved through the Management Committee;
  
• 51% provide assistance in locating, or providing workplacements;
  
• 81% are involved in promoting the program; and
  
• 42% provide other assistance.

   

Thirteen focus groups were conducted throughout Australia to gather information from employers involved in the management of initiatives through local Management Committees; or involved in the implementation of programs through the provision of workplacements.

Consultations revealed that:

the incorporation of quality workplace learning in VET in Schools programs is considered to be a high priority for employers; and an effective means of training school students for their transition to employment;

participants generally were not supportive of the provision of (government) financial incentives to employers for providing workplacements associated with school-workplace learning programs;

participants indicated that greater acknowledgment and recognition of their contribution and role would be appreciated;

participants considered that benefits accrued from involvement generally related to community service. Some participants noted benefits arising for the employer/enterprise where participation was considered a component of their recruitment strategy (for apprentices/trainees, casual or part/full-time work);

effective program co-ordination and thoughtful "matching" of students to particular employers/enterprises are key factors impacting on the willingness and capacity of industry to participate; and

participants recommended student destination tracking mechanisms be established to enable local partners to examine the impact of the initiatives on the local community

Group Training Companies:

The "Industry Participation in school-workplace learning programs" report, based on a National Industry Survey of ASTF Affiliates, established that approximately 40% of affiliates operate with the involvement of their local Group Training Company. This confirms findings of a Group Training Australia / ASTF project which identified numerous linkages between Affiliates and Group Training Companies at the local level.

Consultations with representatives Group Training Companies revealed that:

Group Training Companies are well-placed to act as the vehicle for the delivery of outcomes for programs, particularly in relation to the co-ordination of workplacements;

a greater focus (by the ASTF and local partners) on industry would be beneficial for the programs; and encourage increased involvement by local Group Training Companies.

In terms of the role/s of Group Training Companies, the "Industry Participation in "school-workplace learning programs" report revealed that where a Group Training Company is (1) established where the program is established; and (2) involved with the school-workplace learning program/s:

73% participate in the Management Committee;
72% provide support to students/school leavers to access employment, education and training opportunities;
60% provide assistance in locating, or providing workplacements;
31% deliver off-the-job training;
17% undertake a co-ordination function; and
38% provide other assistance.

WHAT NEXT? More on the 'new ASTF' and what it might mean for you.

Cheers,

Brigid Freeman
Australian Student Traineeship Foundation
Level 9, 76-80 Clarence Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 626 839 (toll free)