CQUniversity
Browse

Exploring the ecological structure of agricultural industry school partnership systems in the Gippsland Region, Australia

Download (2.07 MB)
journal contribution
posted on 2024-10-15, 22:12 authored by Molly O’Dea, Amy CosbyAmy Cosby, Jaime ManningJaime Manning, Nicole McDonaldNicole McDonald, Roberta HarreveldRoberta Harreveld
This paper aims to explore the structure of agricultural industry school partnerships (ISPs) by applying Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory to partnerships delivered in Gippsland, Australia. Agricultural ISPs are one potential setting for industry-relevant learning and career education to occur. This may assist in alleviating agricultural workforce shortages and addressing educational issues related to student career outcomes. A mixed methods case study methodology was employed, with data analyzed through frequency counts and Braun and Clarke’s method of thematic analysis. Surveys (n = 111) and semi-structured interviews (n = 57 pre-participation, n = 68 post-participation) were used with educators (n = 56) and industry participants (n = 62) from ISPs delivered through CQUniversity Australia’s Raising Aspirations in Careers and Education—Gippsland project from 2021–2023. This research finds that the agricultural ISPs studied function as interdependent ecological systems. The facilitator played a crucial role in delivering the ISPs, including connecting educators and industry partners. The study is limited by the number of agricultural ISPs explored and by only collecting data from two stakeholders within the system. However, these findings contribute to a greater understanding of the complex structure of agricultural ISPs, which can help those creating ISPs to consider and understand all stakeholders’ needs. Exploring ISPs as ecological systems also provides a lens to approach research improving similar educational practices. Further research could deepen our understanding of these systems.

Funding

Category 2 - Other Public Sector Grants Category

History

Volume

14

Issue

10

Start Page

1

End Page

18

Number of Pages

18

eISSN

2077-0472

Publisher

MDPI AG

Additional Rights

CC BY 4.0

Language

en

Peer Reviewed

  • Yes

Open Access

  • Yes

Acceptance Date

2024-09-23

Author Research Institute

  • Institute for Future Farming Systems

Era Eligible

  • Yes

Journal

Agriculture

Article Number

1668