More school-business partnerships needed - NAB Schools First Back
04 May 2011
Two new reports provide ‘the strongest evidence yet’ that Australian businesses should be doing more to assist in achieving strong student outcomes, according to the NAB Schools First initiative.
“Only 20% of school partnerships are with business which is significantly less than the international trend and, according to education industry experts, shows that Australian business needs to be doing more to invest in our future workforce,” NAB Schools First states.
“The reports however also reveal that school-community partnerships are having a significant impact on Australian students and that these positive impacts can be enhanced with further investment.”
NAB Schools First is a partnership between National Australia Bank, the Foundation for Young Australians and Australian Council for Educational Research. It rewards outstanding school-community partnerships that lead to improved student outcomes.
The School – Community Partnerships in Australian Schools report was compiled from a review by ACER of all 801 primary and secondary schools that applied for a 2009 NAB Schools First Impact Award.
Amongst the most revealing findings of the School – Community Partnerships in Australian Schools:
- 98% of the school-community partnerships analysed are benefitting students
- 45% of school-community partnerships are between schools and community groups, in contrast to the international trend where the majority of partnerships are with business
- Of the schools partnering with business, 53% are with state or national corporates and 47% with local business
- Catholic institutions are more likely to be partnered exclusively with a business (19.6%) versus other sectors (14%)
- The reasons that prompt the establishment of school-community partnerships are: improved student engagement, improved academic outcomes, enhanced social wellbeing and a broadening of vocational skills and options
- A large majority of partnerships focus on addressing issues associated with ‘at risk’ male students in Year 9 and 10
- Refugee, English as Second Language, Indigenous and/or partnerships concentrated on students at risk of leaving school early are also strongly represented.
The Advantage SA Speakers In Schools program assists in addressing the State’s future needs in the areas of population and workforce. The program engages young professionals to visit schools around the State, encouraging and inspiring young people to follow their career aspirations here in South Australia.
The Speakers in Schools program involves professionals, under the age of 45, who visit schools across the State and inspire students with their career success stories.
Become a Speaker
If you are a professional living in South Australia and keen to share your career story with students, download the Speaker Application Form and Speaker Terms and Conditions Form below, complete and return to Advantage SA.
Speakers Terms and Conditions Form.pdf