Private Sector Participation with Postsecondary Institutions

A study was conducted to collect and examine information on the nature and extent of business and postsecondary occupational program linkages. Data were gathered through a telephone survey of 76 administrators of postsecondary institutions that had both high and low linkages to private industry, and of 661 employers, half of whom were currently involved with secondary institutions and half selected randomly. The study found evidence of considerable private sector interaction with postsecondary institutions, such as in employment recruitment, cooperative work experience programs, advisory committees, and career information programs. The study noted that the motivating forces and time perspectives of educational agencies and employers differ significantly. Employers are motivated by economic factors such as profit and loss and tend to have short time frames. If they are to become involved in postsecondary education, they want to know how it will benefit them or their firm economically