The Outdoor Education Innovation Hub: Research towards a sustainable workforce
Details:
3:10 -4:00 pm
5th of December
Room: 2E-201
Madelene Blaer & Matt Cox
While the outdoor industry has grown rapidly over the past decade, and awareness is increasing regarding the benefits of outdoor nature-based experiences, the workforce faces complex challenges with implications for sustainable development.
Supported by the Victorian Government, this study was conducted by Victoria University researchers and underpins the larger OEIH project undertaken in partnership with the Outdoor Education Group and Box Hill Institute. The research aims to determine the needs, preferences and priorities of aspiring employees and investigate the ongoing professional development requirements of future talent to meet the medium and longer-term needs of the evolving outdoor business environment.
A mixed-methods and participatory action research approach was utilised, and research stakeholders were actively involved in the research design and strategising solutions for industry practices through a series of workshops. Primary data were collected through 40 in-depth interviews, four focus groups (25 participants), and 297 surveys with outdoor industry experts, employers, employees and aspiring employees.
This presentation will provide an overview of the key findings and discuss themes including working conditions, industry identity and public image, diversity and inclusion, industry structures, professionalisation and pathways, highlighting that creating a sustainable workforce will depend on extensive industry collaboration and a systems thinking approach.
About the Presenter
Dr Madelene Blaer is a Research Fellow in the School for the Visitor Economy and Institute for Sustainable Industries and Liveable Cities at Victoria University. Her multidisciplinary work is primarily focussed on sustainable development in the visitor economy, including tourism, hospitality, events, education/training, workforce and business contexts and socio-cultural and community impacts.
I have been working in the outdoors for 30 years. A large part of this time has been spent teaching at university level. My research is industry and practice focused where i am investigating how the professional identity of university students develops as well as how the identity of the outdoor industry is entwined with social perceptions of the work we carry out.
