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Regional, rural, and remote (RRR) communities feel more confident to inform students’ career decisions when they can actively collaborate with university and industry partners, new research has shown.
The large-scale project, commissioned by the National Centre for Student Equity in Higher Education (NCSEHE), found community-designed programs were most effective in equipping students’ key influencers.
The research team, led by Professor Sue Kilpatrick from the University of Tasmania, shifted focus from students to those who influence them. A community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach was taken to select and implement interventions for families, employers, school staff, and community members.
“Working with three case study communities, we observed that whole-of-community approaches must be cognisant of local context and culture, and draw on local expertise,” Professor Kilpatrick said.
“Sustainable implementation of these programs is reliant upon community ‘ownership’, leadership and engagement; productive partnerships with external bodies; reliable resourcing; and flexibility in response to ongoing evaluation.”
Local “pathway brokers” and community working parties were key to the success of the pilot programs, as well as a strong community culture, and community members’ skills and willingness to work with the researchers.
“Communities were left with a legacy of knowledge and skills that can be built upon, extending the model beyond the life of the project,” Professor Kilpatrick said.
“We recommend future partnerships identify and involve key stakeholders early; have a local institution employ a liaison; and be accessible in terms of time, place and delivery format.”
NCSEHE Director, Professor Sarah O’Shea, commended the project’s focus on working with—and learning from—community members and key influencers.
“The research team identify authenticity, accessibility, and flexibility as three principles central to the project’s success,” Professor O’Shea said.
“These principles are exemplified in the CBPR methodology, reinforcing the potential to incorporate this method into future research.”
Read the final report, Informing key influencers of low SES regional, rural and remote students’ education and career pathway choices: A whole community approach
This research was funded by the Australian Government Department of Education, Skills and Employment under the Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Program (HEPPP) National Priorities Pool (NPP).
Media Contact:
Tel | +9266 1743
Email | ncsehe@curtin.edu.au
