Abstract:

It is accepted that there is a cultural gap between the worlds of academia and industry. Universities can see themselves as set apart from the commercial pressures that industry is accustomed to, and they can consider that their interaction is best kept to the theoretical context and research. Universities usually offer traditional courses in terms of content and delivery, with little or no recognition of the tri-partite relationship between learner, employer and HEI. Employers have criticised academia for not adapting to their needs, and being inflexible in their approach.
The aim of this presentation will be to describe our WBLQUAL’s research into the issues affecting universities and their interaction with employers and learners, and to communicate our findings and recommendations.
There is much to be gained from a closer collaboration between universities and industry, and especially the engagement of universities in WBL. These include (i) transfer of knowledge, innovation and expertise from academia to industry, (ii) transfer of knowledge, innovation and expertise from industry to academia, (iii) closer alignment of universities to economic drivers and the needs of the labour market, (iv) workforce development through academic programmes leading to improvements in productivity and performance to make more efficient and sustainable economic conditions, (v) WBL learners gaining qualifications that are robust and relevant to their needs, (vi) universities adapting to changing demographic profiles and economic conditions. WBLQUAL sought to facilitate further exploitation of these benefits.
The method used included secondary study of legislation in 5 participating countries (Latvia, UK, Italy, Denmark, Poland) and literature review, as well as individual in-depth interviews targeting academia people at different management levels (strategic, management and operational).
Our findings illustrated a complexity of WBL issues on the side of universities, which make it impossible to formulate universal messages across different management levels at academia, but instead call for making them customised to the various target groups. Recommendations to more involvement of academia into work-based learning were formulated at the strategic, tactical and operational levels.

References:
An Approach to Qualifications through Negotiated Work Based Learning for the EU
Project Number: 510022-LLP-1-2010-1-UK-ERASMUS-ECUE
The European Higher Education Area in 2012 (EACEA P9 Eurydice25 April 2012).
Modernisation of Higher Education in Europe: (EU - 16 September 2011)
Evaluation of the Higher Education Transforming Workforce Development Programme, Report to HEFCE by CFE and KSA (2011)

Keywords:

University Industry collaboration, Work based learning, university policies and procedures.