Interfirm cooperation in training: group training in the UK and Australia

Citation

(2009), "Interfirm cooperation in training: group training in the UK and Australia", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 23 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/dlo.2009.08123aad.002

Interfirm cooperation in training: group training in the UK and Australia

Article Type: Abstracts From: Development and Learning in Organizations, Volume 23, Issue 1

Cooney R. and , Gospel H. Industrial Relations Journal, September 2008, Vol. 39 No. 5, Start page: 411, No. of pages: 17

Purpose – compares the extent of group training in Australia and the UK, focusing on group training that is provided by not-for-profit organizations that broker interfirm training. Examines the factors that shape these training arrangements. Design/methodology/approach – analyses data gathered from a review of documentation and published research, plus semi-structured interviews with officers of six group training organizations in each country. Describes the characteristics of group training in each country and compares the two systems. Findings – reports that group training is more widespread in the UK and Australia than has been thought. Notes that the group training organizations act more as arms-length brokers of interfirm networks than as coordinators of interfirm relationships. Finds considerable diversity in the scope and functions of group training organizations in each country. Also finds that this type of training relies heavily on government funding. Underlines that group training has strengths and weaknesses and that these differ between the countries, making it difficult to judge which of the models is more effective. Research limitations/ implications – outlines the research methods. Originality/value – points to the renewed interest in this type of training arrangement. ISSN: 0019-8692 Reference: 37AU072

Keywords: Australia, Partnerships, Training, United Kingdom