Building industry training networks: findings from an evaluation of 24 industry training networks that were supported by Reframing the Future and funded through the Australian National Training Authority in 2003

Reframing the Future is the national staff development and change management program funded through the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA) to assist with the implementation of the national training system. This report presents the outcomes of an evaluation of 24 industry training networks that were funded as part of the Reframing the Future sub-program of networks and communities of practice. Vocational education and training (VET) organisations were funded to form and maintain networks of contacts from within their industry, e.g. engineering, hospitality or creative arts, who are actively involved in improving and increasing industry training programs. The evaluation focused on five questions and these form the chapter headings of this report. Why does VET need industry training networks? What skills, knowledge and processes help industry training networks to function effectively? What knowledge is generated by industry training networks? What are the benefits of industry training networks? How can achievements of networks be sustained? Key findings include: (1) collaboration in industry training networks can support the national training system; (2) the need for industry training networks is increasing; (3) open or loosely structured networks suit the diverse membership; (4) building networks is not straightforward; (5) effective networks require a deep knowledge of VET, high-level facilitation skills and efficient information sharing processes; (6) new knowledge about practices and possibilities in the national training system are generated by networks; and (7) networks can be sustained by a continuous response to the changing goals of members and changing external conditions. Show less