Innovation to Integration: School-VET Pathways to a Learning Culture

Australia does not have a strong tradition of value-addition linkages between education and industry. Yet such collaborations can result in changes to the perceptions of both groups. In particular, teachers ’ views of learning can change radically- the workplace can be the classroom and practical workplace skills can link with the 3Rs. Industry can actively contribute to social capital through such goals as corporate citizenship and training options. At the same time companies can contribute to building the skill capacity of communities – both potential workers and current employees- to meet the labour market and economic needs of Australia. As described in the case study presented here, an innovative partnership model in South Australia, Manufacturing Learning Centres, has been developed to facilitate not only the school-to-work transition in manufacturing enterprises, but also to enhance the development of a learning culture within the organisations. Background The evolution of Manufacturing Learning Centres has taken place within two other significant developments: the national training agenda and an increasing interest in learning in the workplace. Training reform has gathered momentum in the past decade under successiv