The Tri-Party Partnership: an Investigation into the Existing Support Structures Within a DIT Placement

The readiness of students entering the workforce upon graduating has been widely researched in Ireland, and a student work placement that is embedded in the curriculum is commonly recognised as a crucial mechanism that is key to preparing graduates for the ‘real world’. In this particular study, the voice of many key parties are captured, including the students themselves, members of the academic department who coordinate the programme, and the industry partners. Recommendations are made based on the findings that highlighted gaps or weaknesses in the existing student support structures, along with the addition of an updated academic institution-industry partnership structure that will facilitate the requirements of all three parties involved – student, institution and employer. The new structure will be piloted in early 2015.