Six years on: a review of the use of structured workplace learning: reflection on the lessons

This report reviews the findings of research into the use of workplace based learning in the senior secondary school curriculum in Australia. Workplace based learning links the use of vocationally-based curriculum delivered in schools (or TAFE) with assessed learning in the workplace. The 1997 report 'Reforming schools through workplace learning' (indexed at TD/TNC 50.38) explored the use of workplace based learning and its impact on school organisation and reform and schools' relationships with their communities. Six secondary schools participated in the study. In the six years since the original report, there have been significant developments in the Australian education and training arena with 'VET in schools' programs becoming widespread in all States and Territories. This current report revisits the original six case study schools to review the long term impact of the adoption of workplace learning on the schools and their communities. The first section summarises the key findings from the current research and relates these to the original findings and issues identified in the 1997 report. The second section provides a case study for each of the six schools, incorporating a brief overview of the situation in 1996 and a comparison of that with the current use of workplace based learning. Show less