Industry–University Collaboration for Continuing Professional Development

Over the past few years developments in higher education have brought us to a position where collaboration between the university and the private sector is becoming more and more common. The industry approach to continuing professional development is based on the needs of acquiring, developing and retaining a skilled and competent workforce. Universities in turn may benefit from the knowledge, ideas and practices of working life outside the academy. Both parties urgently need to prepare people to function in the information society. We argue that successful cooperation between industry and university requires that both parties enter into a thorough-going dialogue concerning current pedagogical and educational thinking. This article highlights the specific needs of organisations and how universities can assist companies in the provision of continuing professional development. Some of the initial insights gained from a case study are presented and possible principles on which to base future development are suggested.