Student learning and employability: Immersion in live events

Abstract

This chapter presents a case study describing a particular approach to providing immersive experiential learning opportunities to students studying a vocational education and training (VET) course in event management. It addresses a gap in the academic literature on this topic, which focuses on experiential learning in higher education courses. The case study is critically analysed in light of the higher education literature in order to highlight the differences and similarities in approach in the two sectors. The analysis reveals that the VET model, perhaps counter-intuitively, provides students with significantly greater access to management experience. It also addresses the gap in understanding reported in the literature between industry and learner needs through integrating the role of teacher and industry mentor. However, the analysis also reveals that the model is not free of risk and would benefit from greater input from pedagogical theory, particularly around the critical role of reflection in making sense of practical learning.