Who, how and why? The nature of industry participants in agricultural industry school partnerships in Gippsland, Australia

Purpose: This research explores the nature of industry members willing to participate in agricultural industry school partnerships (ISPs) by understanding who these participants are, and how and why they want to participate. This will contribute to a greater understanding of the nature of ISPs. Methodology: A mixed methods case study utilising surveys and semi-structured interviews was used to collect data from 54 agricultural industry members from 2021-2023. Findings: Participants overwhelmingly want to partake in ISPs to promote their industry and the range of career opportunities. How they prefer to participate is mostly through hands-on learning and storytelling. Identified barriers include time, confidence, experience and teacher understanding, which may affect how and why they want to participate. Practical implications: These findings will contribute to a greater understanding of the nature of agricultural ISPs, helping those creating ISPs to consider and understand all stakeholders to deliver quality future partnerships. Theoretical implications: This paper explores industry participants as an important component of agricultural ISPs when theorised as an ecological system. Originality: This research analyses industry participants’ perspectives of industry school partnerships, which are rarely identified in the literature.