Bergami, Roberto and Schuller, Annamarie (2011) Beyond Industry Placement: What happens after the VET business teacher returns to work? Journal of the Worldwide Forum on Education and Culture, 3 (1). pp. 134-144. ISSN 1949-2774

Abstract

In the VET system, in Australia, there is a high degree of focus placed on educating students about current industry processes, to facilitate their entry into the workforce upon completion of their studies. This requires teachers to possess knowledge of contemporary business processes (currency), so they may, in turn, use this knowledge to educate students. An effective means of acquiring currency is for teachers to participate in industry placements. An industry placement ,comprises a voluntary period of time spent by a teacher working within a host industry organisation. It is a form of professional development that enables the teacher to gain not only currency, but also develop networks and use industry as an additional teaching resource to enhance the student learning experience. The additional learning acquired by the teacher on placement may result in a desire to make changes to the content, structure and delivery of teaching practices in the future, but, does this really happen? A series of in depth interviews with VET business teachers who have participated in an industry placement, explores what really happens in the post placement period within their educational institution. The research concludes that whilst there may be opportunities for changes, there is a general lack of recognition given by management or colleagues to teachers who have pursued an industry placement and consequently there is little change achieved.

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