EVALUATION OF AN ICT SKILLS PROGRAM: ENHANCING GRADUATE CAPABILITIES AND EMPLOYABILITY

This paper reports on the impact and benefits of integrated business learning (IBL) on student learning in vocational Information Communication Technology (ICT) courses. Student reactions to learning experiences located in workplaces and those that model work-practices are explored through experiential learning theories and employability models. Using surveys, in-depth interviews and focus groups, the student voice is captured and triangulated with teacher and industry practitioner observations of student capabilities and employability. The findings show that students highly value and benefit from IBL that provides meaningful connections to the real world of work. Learners are motivated by structured and tailored experiences that provide a strong alignment between the curriculum and professional practice, providing opportunities for both personal and professional development. The critical importance of authentic and situated learning postulated by social development theories is validated in these evaluation findings, which also highlight the efficacy of government facilitated industry engagement for inducing curriculum innovation.