Cross‐university collaboration for work‐place learning: a case study

Abstract

Purpose

Research into skills level of the workforce in the West Midlands in England has identified a shortage of graduate skills and that these are needed for the region to regain its competitiveness in the national and international markets of the twenty‐first century. The purpose of this paper is to explore the practices that enabled collaboration between higher education organisations to meet the needs of local industries and businesses through work‐place learning.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives of the case study are to review the background to the initiative described and the organisation and the activities undertaken. The paper reflects on the factors that enabled the collaboration to be effective and on those that jeopardised the potential success of the group. First, an overview of the case is given, starting with the concept for the project that was the focus of the collaboration. Next the organisation of the partnership is outlined and then the process of the development of the foundation degrees. Factors that impact on the effectiveness of the collaboration are explored drawing on illustrative extracts selected from the data.

Findings

Key findings corroborate previous research that posited that success, or failure, of collaboration is due to a number of factors: mutual benefit, a change in product, process or output, stated, emergent and unstated aims, perceived benefits and mutual trust.

Originality/value

The paper demonstrates that even where all these factors exist there may be unanticipated events that impact on the success of the project.

Citation

Felce, A. (2011), "Cross‐university collaboration for work‐place learning: a case study", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 1 No. 1, pp. 63-77. https://doi.org/10.1108/20423891111085401