Effective and efficient strategies to support industry learning

Abstract

Two key directions for future extension and education are specialist services meeting a local demand and broad approaches based on holistic learning systems and/or integration between previous separate groups or institutions. Four case studies of education and extension are presented to illustrate these directions. One challenge is to achieve synergy between differing groups, requiring process skills in managing change and aligning different cultures. Another challenge for future extension and education will be the development and application of rigorous and efficient needs assessment and evaluation
processes to enable participants to choose/design the most applicable approach. Learning and collaboration underpin future competitiveness, but must compete with other ways of doing things. Participants and resources will be attracted only if they perceive measurable returns to their investment of time and money.