Engaging Industry

Suggestions for connecting with new industry partners

If you are just getting started with WIL, identifying new industry partners can seem challenging. Think about who you know already and draw upon your existing contacts.

• Do you have connections with government departments or local organisations through your research?
• Alumni are often enthusiastic about reconnecting with their university in a meaningful way. Can you reach out to your university’s alumni department, or even your own former students who may be in industry?

Are there relevant professional bodies you can approach?^2.2 Atkinson, G., Misko, J., & Stanwick, J. (2015). Work integrated learning in STEM disciplines: employer perspectives: National Centre for Vocational Education Research.

For example, the Australian Mathematical Sciences Institute (AMSI) offers networking opportunities and vacation research scholarships.Have you connected with your university’s careers centre, or your faculty’s WIL or industry engagement specialists? Who can they suggest?

Involving industry partners in the design and delivery of WIL is vital. Successful WIL is about collaboration and partnership 2.3Henderson, A., & Trede, F. (2017). Strengthening attainment of student learning outcomes during work-integrated learning: A collaborative governance framework across academia, industry and students. Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, 18(1), 73-80..

Different organisations will have different abilities to engage in work-integrated learning. While some organisations may be able to provide internships and placement opportunities on an ongoing basis, others may not have the capacity for this and may prefer to present a seminar or a case study. Employers want to be involved in a variety of ways, including in student preparation, mentoring and assessment design 2.2 Atkinson, G., Misko, J., & Stanwick, J. (2015). Work integrated learning in STEM disciplines: employer perspectives: National Centre for Vocational Education Research.. It is important to take the time to understand how each industry partner wants to be involved, and their capacity and constraints so you can work together to create meaningful opportunities for students.

Not knowing how to engage with WIL or who to contact about WIL can prevent employers from getting involved with WIL2.5PhillipsKPA. (2014). Engaging employers in work integrated learning: current state and future priorities. Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Conversely, support from, and good personal links with, universities make it easier for employers to engage with WIL. Once contact is established, industry partners want clear information about the roles and responsibilities of each stakeholder, the structure of the course, what they can reasonably expect from students and what students expect of them2.2 Atkinson, G., Misko, J., & Stanwick, J. (2015). Work integrated learning in STEM disciplines: employer perspectives: National Centre for Vocational Education Research..

Things to consider