Going Boldly Into the Future: A Series of Case Studies of Co-Operative Research Centres and Their Relationships with the VET Sector.

This document presents case studies of 10 cooperative research centers (CRCs) across Australia and their relationships with the vocational education and training (VET) sector. The CRCs profiled in the case studies are as follows: Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Rice Production; Cast Alloy and Solidification Technology Co-operative Research Centre; Co-operative Research Centre for Landscape Evolution and Mineral Exploration; Australian Photonics Co-operative Research Centre; Renewable Energy Co-operative Research Centre; Co-operative Research Centre for Satellite Systems; Co-operative Research Centre for Sustainable Tourism; Co-operative Research Centre for Viticulture; Co-operative Research Centre for Waste Management and Pollution Control; and Co-operative Research Centre for Water Quality and Treatment. Each case study focuses on some or all of the following topics: (1) the industry in which the research center is active and the issues it is currently facing in Australia; (2) recent developments in the industry and the impact of these developments on industry training; (3) connections between the CRC and the VET sector; and (4) concerns regarding the efficacy of current approaches to introducing new knowledge into the training process and the need to develop stronger, more formal arrangements between the various participants in order to ensure timely and relevant transfer of knowledge to those working in the industry. All 10 case studies include substantial bibliographies. (MN)