Tafe, Schools and Industry: the benefits and challenges of cross-sectoral partnerships

Preparing school students for adulthood and for the world of employment is an increasing policy focus in Australia and internationally. Supporting young people preparing for work, while they are still at school, is a complex task and schools cannot do it in isolation. Since the early 1990s, when Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs were introduced into Australian secondary schools, the growth of partnerships between schools, TAFEs, workplaces and community organisations has been unprecedented. The majority of secondary schools form partnerships with a number of organisations, ranging from other education and training providers to community groups, businesses and associations to support attainment, qualifications and pathways to work.