Teacher-Trainer/Parent Co-operation in an Apprenticeship Scheme

The Farm Apprenticeship scheme in Victoria, Australia, attracted farmers and their sons, in contrast to their traditional scepticism against agricultural colleges. Representative samples of farmers who employed indentured apprentices, Technical and Further Education (TAFE) college teachers and trade committee members answered a structured interview schedule. The results show a high degree of division of labour and mutual recognition between teachers in TAFE colleges and employers who train their apprentices. In many cases the farmers are the fathers of their apprentices. Teachers use farm laboratories (where available) and outside sources for knowledge and skill transfer: farmers with special equipment and expertise, specialists from the governmental advisory service and representatives of commercial firms. A co-operation between teachers and trainers in the assessment of the apprentices is envisaged. Questions about what could be learned from these arrangements for science teaching in schools are asked.