The nature and benefits of partnerships between employers and training providers

Abstract

ABSTRACT This paper reports on research investigating Australian employer-training provider partnerships through the examination of three features in-depth: the nature of partnerships, the perceived benefits for both parties and the attributes of successful partnerships. The research project used a mixed methods approach, with two online surveys, one of employers and the other of training providers, and a series of semi-structured interviews with employers and training providers who were in partnership with each other. Results from these sources showed variations in the nature of partnerships on several parameters, including the nature of the partnership, the coverage of training, and the training delivery. Variations also occurred by size (both of the training provider and of the employers) and between public and private training providers. Reported benefits included, for the employers, the opportunity to upskill employees, and the provision of flexible and customised training. For the training providers, benefits included the development of skills in their own staff, and the financial benefits from their partnerships. The latter were rarely great but helped to sustain their operations. The research extends previous work on the attributes of successful partnerships. Implications for policy and practice are discussed, and suggestions for further research are provided.