Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29062
Title: Student’s perception of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in agriculture
Contributor(s): Wilkes, Janelle  (author)orcid ; Flavel, Richard  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2019
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/29062
Abstract: CONTEXT
Snodgrass (1974) indicated the need for work experience was common in agricultural courses prior to the 1950s in the USA. More recently, work integrated learning (WIL) is making the boundaries of university more permeable and may include visits to industry experts, virtual simulations and practicums (Ferns, Campbell and Zegwaard, 2014). In developing the Australian TLOs in consultation with employers, work experience was highlighted as a requirement to help students gain employment and to improve understanding of the industry. This also aligns with the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level 7 requirement for knowledge and skills in professional work (Acuña et al., 2014). The way in which Australian universities approach WIL varies but at the University of New England, WIL activities are embedded in units along with the traditional industry placement as a formal course requirement for agricultural students. Bachelor of Rural Science students complete 16 weeks approved practical work in four or more enterprise categories, and the remaining agricultural courses complete 12 weeks in three or more enterprise categories (School of ERS, 2019).
AIM
This presentation aims to evaluate the perceptions of students and academic staff of the practical work experience (industry placement) component of WIL.
METHODS
Undergraduate agriculture students (both part time and full time students) were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey, with over a quarter of enrolled students completing the survey (122 students). Agricultural academic teaching staff were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey with 13 (65%) responding. Both online surveys
ACTUAL OUTCOMES
Of the student respondents 50% had completed some or all of their courses work experience requirement. Over 65% of respondents were already employed whilst studying, and of these 62% were employed in the agriculture industry. The majority of students (89%) felt work experience was important and/or added to their employability. Of the respondents who have completed work experience, 80% said it increased their confidence in finding employment with the remaining 20% already employed.
Academic staff were asked if practical work experience was important and contributed to student employability; 12 of the 13 respondents supported industry placement, providing reasons such as context, relevance and motivation for study, practical application and networking.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Both students and staff have identified the strong benefits of formal practical work experience across various enterprises to gain exposure to a wide range of skills, circumstances and industry context in line with the requirements of an AQF level 7 course. UNE has reaffirmed the need to continue to use embedded WIL from strong industry links along with formal work experience requirements to ensure graduates are workplace-ready.
Publication Type: Conference Publication
Conference Details: AgEd Symposium 2019: 2nd AgEd Symposium for Agricultural Educators, Armidale, Australia, 3rd - 4th December 2019
Source of Publication: AgEd Symposium 2019 Program and Abstracts, p. 41-42
Publisher: University of New England
Place of Publication: Armidale, Australia
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 070199 Agriculture, Land and Farm Management not elsewhere classified
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 300299 Agriculture, land and farm management not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 940501 Employment Patterns and Change
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 230501 Employment patterns and change
HERDC Category Description: E3 Extract of Scholarly Conference Publication
Publisher/associated links: https://www.une.edu.au/about-une/faculty-of-science-agriculture-business-and-law/school-of-environmental-and-rural-science/ers-news-and-events/2nd-aged-symposium
Description: Please note the original title included a typographical error - 'leaning' instead of 'learning'
Appears in Collections:Conference Publication
School of Environmental and Rural Science

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