A partnership addressing employer demand for work-ready graduates in the NT will be launched at this year’s October Business Month.
Charles Darwin University and the Chamber of Commerce NT have forged the partnership to improve graduate employability by providing students with hands-on work experience while they study.
Known as Work Integrated Learning, the project will be launched to the business community during October Business Month.
CDU Community Engagement Projects Manager Nicole Manapol said the initiative came at a time of increasing concern among local employers about the impact that new infrastructure projects are expected to have on existing skill shortages in the NT.
“This event is an opportunity to open a dialogue with the NT business community about the range of possible Work Integrated Learning arrangements at CDU and how these could be of benefit to local employers,” Ms Manapol said.
“Australian employers prefer graduates with previous workplace experience,” she said.
“Work Integrated Learning aims to combine theory with the practice of work within a purposefully designed curriculum and generally involves a student placement or project within a workplace.”
Chamber of Commerce NT Employment and Training Adviser Hugh Roberts said many employers experienced problems recruiting and retaining skilled people.
“We have an ageing Baby Boomer workforce transitioning to retirement and over $30 billion of subdivisions, construction, housing, infrastructure and oil and gas developments slated for development in the NT over the next few years,” Mr Roberts said.
“We need to be prepared. Work Integrated Learning is one way local businesses and the University can work together to do this.”
The event titled, “Growing Our Own: Creative Approaches to Building the NT’s Workforce Capacity,” will be held on Wednesday, 5 October at CDU Casuarina campus, Building Orange 12, Art Gallery and Colonnade from 4.45pm to 6.30pm. Registration for this event is essential as places are limited. To register visit: http://www.cdu.edu.au/wil.
The Work Integrated Learning project in the NT is part of a national partnership between the Innovative Research Universities, of which CDU is a member, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry.