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This project investigated the principles and practices underpinning the effective operation of social partnerships. The aim was to identify those principles and practices most beneficial in social partnerships supporting vocational education and training (VET). The project builds on prior research into social partnerships by examining the processes involved in social partnerships. The specific aims of this project were to investigate: the key principles and practices that underpin the formation, development and maintenance of the social practices effective in assisting localised decision-making and capacity-building; the effective enactment of these principles and practices as shaped in different ways across these social practices; and the ways in which these principles and practices are associated with establishing and developing social partnerships robust enough to manage changing circumstances, tasks and goals. This project is phase one of a two-phase project. Phase two will investigate the application of these principles and practices to VET in specific regions. The project involved reviewing 10 social partnerships in Queensland and Victoria during 2005-06, specifically those which had shown some history of operation and success. This review process aimed to: understand their formation, development and progress; determine internal and external factors influencing their formation and development; and identify principles and practices that have sustained these social partnerships and their partnership work over time. Data were collected from these 10 partnerships through interviews with up to three key informants in each, and focused on specific events in the development of the partnership in order to identify factors that either contributed to the development of, or served to undermine the partnership and partnership work. Three kinds of partnerships were identified: enacted partnerships; community partnerships; and negotiated partnerships. Analysis of the data indicated that these three kinds of partnerships may not be helpful in categorising social partnerships in their early or subsequent development, but their quite different bases need to be considered in the context of their initial formation, depending on the direction or initiation of the partnership project. The data show that social partnerships are established and maintained because participants engage in partnership work which is identified as the interactive and collaborative process of working together to identify, negotiate and articulate goals, and to develop processes for realising and reviewing those goals. The findings of this first phase of the research project have been used to identify and elaborate further the character of social partnerships and the work necessary for establishing and maintaining them. A key finding is that this is complex work, demanding significant skills in cross-cultural and interpersonal communication. Further findings cover the identification of different types of social partnerships; the central role of partnership work in the development and continuity of social partnerships; the principles and practices associated with partnerships and their development; and the types of partnership work. Show less

The VET Development Centre offers customised professional development services and programs, on a fee-for-service basis, across the Victorian vocational education and training (VET) sector. The evaluation reported in this document focused on three objectives to identify and provide evidence: (1) relating to the benefits to practitioners as a consequence of participating in the VET Development Centre's Professional Learning Program; (2) that there are improvements in their teaching and learning practice as a consequence of attending the programs; and (3) of practitioner pathways from the programs into further professional learning opportunities, whether accredited or non-accredited. The findings will be considered when planning and delivering future activities of the VET Development Centre.

Excerpts from publication. Show less

The aim of the project reported here was to examine the nature of social partnerships and how they may be relevant to the vocational education and training (VET) sector. VET, which supports industry, individuals and communities, is increasingly identified as an important means of strengthening local communities. This relatively recent role for the VET sector complements its long-standing role in the development of skills and attitudes necessary for work. This sector also offers ‘second chance’ opportunities to those who had been unsuccessful at school or university. In this study, social partnerships were documented through a desktop review and a phone survey. In-depth case studies were also conducted in three states (Queensland, South Australia and Victoria) to provide a detailed view of how these partnerships actually work. The project identified community partnerships, which grow out of community concerns and commitments and are formed to address local issues or problems, and enacted social partnerships, which are initiated by agencies external to local communities, but with a view to developing and/or supporting particular functions within those communities. VET is characterised by both community and enacted social partnerships which are often constructed in ways which support vocational learning, particularly for young adults, through a range of diverse local initiatives. Social partnerships also contribute to broader objectives aimed at strengthening communities by building relationships, working productively with a diversity of partners, and enhancing capacity for local governance. The project findings provide a basis for considering how community-building through social partnerships might be used to support vocational education and training goals. The findings reveal dangers inherent to the community-building approach and how they might be negotiated as community-building proceeds. The report also offers suggested strategies for advancing community capacity-building and monitoring performance through social partnerships. Show less

Social partnerships are increasingly seen as a means by which both government and non-government agencies can identify and respond to localised need. This paper reports the findings of the first phase of the project that aims to inform how best social partnerships can be formed and developed to support vocational education and training (VET) at the local level. This phase sought to identify key principles and practices that will underpin this aim, using the experiences of 10 existing social partnerships. A key finding was the importance of partnership work. This is detailed through five dimensions of partnership work, and principles and practices that were identified and verified as most likely assisting the development and transformation of social partnerships over time. The dimensions of ‘partnership work’ comprise (a) cultural scoping work, (b) connection building work, (c) capacity building work, (d) collective work, and (e) trust building work. The principles that manifest with subtle differences at the initial and later stages of partnership work include developing and maintaining (a) shared goals, (b) relations with partners, (c) capacity for partnership work, (d) governance and leadership, and (e) trust and trustworthiness. The specific implications for VET will be explored in the next phase of this project.

Published abstract reprinted by permission of the copyright owner.

Volumes of papers are indexed at TD/TNC 90.212 and TD/TNC 90.213. Selected individual papers are indexed from TD/TNC 90.214 to TD/TNC 90.264. Show less

This report proposes how best recent research contributes to VET policy deliberations within the Victorian State Training System. It addresses, firstly, the system's intents and the changing context in which these intents are attempting to be secured and secondly, the identification of emerging trends. Such an analysis makes it possible to be informed about the likelihood of current policy achieving those intents, as well as offering potential improvements and alternatives to those policies. Show less

This webinar will draw on the work of Professor Stephen Billett and colleagues focusing on the perceptions of parents, potential and current students, employers and teachers about the status of VET. This work is supported through a Queensland Government Department of Education and Training Education Horizon Research Grant. The intent of this work is to help identify and inform policy interventions about promoting the standing and status of the VET sector across Queensland's communities but is likely to have application nationally. The webinar will also showcase programs and initiatives aimed at demonstrating the value of VET to potential learners.

Abstract from publisher's website.

Three handouts were available during the webinar: The Conversation article 'We need to change negative views of the jobs VET serves to make it a good post-school option' by Stephen Billett; 'Virtual conference report on improving the image of TVET' by Stephen Billett [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 135.960]; and 'Get VET' booklet by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) [available in VOCEDplus at TD/TNC 133.583]. Show less