Australian post-compulsory school students' learning in workplaces

Abstract

This article discusses the findings of a research project which examined the participation in workplace learning of Australian school students in the post-compulsory years. The study was carried out in two States, New South Wales (NSW) and South Australia (SA), in the latter part of 2000. Primarily focusing upon work experience, formal vocational placements, and part-time work, the study compared and contrasted the workplace experiences of these students in school-arranged and non-school-arranged activities. The study found that part-time work was the setting in which students learned most and that work experience was the least effective means of workplace learning, although work experience was recognised as important for specific reasons. Conclusions are drawn about the implications of this study for those responsible for school curriculum for the post-compulsory years and for further areas of research.