Industry and institutes of higher learning : towards a synergistic partnership

Institutes of Higher Learning such as universities and Institutes of Technical and Further Education (TAFE) have traditionally provided the skilled workforce which finds employment in industry. In this respect, industry may be viewed as the core market for which learning and training institutions provide the needed skilled workforce. As in all enterprises, forces of supply and demand are expected to influence, the economic well being of both. However, in the case of Institutes of Higher Learning, it may sometimes be the case that courses are offered as a consequence of non-market driven demand- for esoteric reasons following a popular TV series; following new developments in science with a perceived potential of substantial technological demand in the future, such as nano-engineering; or even as a result of the particular academic vision of the Institution itself. On the other hand, industry driven initiatives, which more often reflect the commercial demands of the market right now, often providing the impetus for innovative courses such as Simulation Engineering and Virtual Manufacturing, currently in high demand world-wide. In order to respond in a timely manner to such market place dem?nds, learning/training institutions have to be sensitive to these shifts in demand for their services, adaptable and flexible enough to predicate the best way forward for their course offerings in line with the demands of industry, Government and the wider Community. This paper aims at combining three personal viewpoints on this proposition - from industry and two different learning/training institutions, looking at ways of creating and maintaining industry/institutional interaction, how to better provide for utilisation of specialist resources to meet the demands of this process and to identify the specific strengths of this liaison for the ultimate well being of the broader community. The particular emphasis will be on synergistic aspects of collaboration. It is hoped this will provide an effective stimulus for further action.