Employer understanding of Work-Integrated Learning and the challenges of engaging in work placement opportunities

ABSTRACT

This study examines employer understanding of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), reasons for participation and the challenges and barriers posed during the WIL process. This is important given the drive to grow WIL, augmented by the National Strategy for WIL, and the significant benefits it holds in preparing students for their transition to employment. The study was undertaken by the four publicly funded Western Australian universities, in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Western Australia, and is focused on work placements among business students. Findings indicate employers had very little understanding of WIL offerings at the four Business Schools. While employers generally believed that student work placements are useful for their industry sectors, a number of issues impacted on their engagement in WIL. These included identifying suitable projects and tasks for students to complete; sourcing suitable students; concerns with student performance and capacity to mentor/supervise. A combination of quantitative and qualitative research tools were used with data gathered by an employer survey (N = 112) and focus group sessions (N = 17). The study recommends a number of ways to alleviate barriers and challenges to improve the WIL experience for all stakeholders and ensure the sustained growth of WIL in the higher education sector.

KEYWORDS:

• Work-Integrated Learning
• employer engagement
• work-readiness
• work placements
• industry collaboration

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Dr Denise Jackson is a Senior Lecturer and the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) Coordinator in the ECU School of Business and Law. Denise has lectured in HRM and Management in the UK and Australia. She has worked in HR and the tourism industry in the UK, Asia and Africa. Her research interests lie in enhancing graduate employability through WIL opportunities, employability skill development and career management learning. Denise is the State Chair (Western Australia) for the Australian Collaborative Education Network (ACEN) and an Editorial Board Member for a number of education journals.

Dr David Rowbottom is the Program Manager for WIL at Murdoch University. His research interest focuses on the integration and scaffolding of WIL within the tertiary curriculum.

Sonia Ferns (Ph.D. Candidate, MEd, BEd, Diploma in Training and Assessment Systems) is responsible for overseeing the quality of all courses at Curtin University. She is an active researcher in WIL and is involved in several national projects. She is currently completing her Ph.D. in professional identity.

Diane McLaren is the Manager of Employment and Career Development Services at the University of Western Australia. She has almost 30 years' experience in career development and employment services. Diane was awarded the Career Development Association of Australia Award for Excellence in Careers Counselling for establishing the state-wide Employment Directions Network. She is currently working on developing a university-wide WIL and employability strategy.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Australian Government’s Productivity, Education and Training Fund through the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI).