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Leading Enterprise Education Partnerships (LEEP)

Your partnership, your focus, your students - enterprise learning for the future

"Regardless of how busy I am, I will continue to do LEEP because I can see the benefits for students, for teachers and for businesses".

Rachel McGann, Executive Teacher, Calwell High School, ACT

LEEP Logo Leading Enterprise Education Partnerships (LEEP) is an innovative approach to building sustainable partnerships between business and education. It involves local business leaders working in partnership with principals and teachers to:

enhance the development of an enterprising culture within the school and community
produce models for effective and sustainable local partnerships focused on enterprise.

Ultimately, your partnership will support young people to build their enterprise skills, think creatively and reach their potential.

"The benefits have really exceeded my expectations ".

Neville Lyngcoln, Yarra Valley Grammar, Vic

Enterprise Learning for the 21st Century

The Australian Government’s Department for Education Science and Training (DEST) made it a priority to invest in enterprise learning for young people by launching the Enterprise Learning for the 21st Century initiative (EL21). Australian Business Week created LEEP, which is currently funded under this initiative.

Who is it for?

LEEP is for leaders and representatives from schools, businesses and organisations who aim to develop an enterprising culture within the school and local community.

To see a list of the current partnerships and members please go to Who's Who

What’s in it for schools and businesses?

"It's exciting to use this initiative of bringing businesses and schools together to perhaps produce a different outcome".

David Middleton, Mount Mary Vineyard, Yarra Valley Grammar Partnership, Vic

A video overview of LEEP can be viewed by following the link below:

click here to open a new window. 12mb
(if you are unable to view the downloadable video please contact abw@abw.org.au and we will send you a copy of the DVD)

LEEP aims to help you to develop more formal partnerships with your current community links or to create and build new ones. The benefits include:

For everyone:

a common understanding of where the community is and what it is trying to achieve for its young people
a different perspective on professional development opportunities on both sides
projects and activities developed and managed by the partnership itself
time to develop relationships for longer term benefits

For schools:

creative approaches in the strategic delivery of the curriculum
support and time from business partners
students who are more engaged in the learning process
teachers who are directly involved with developing partnership projects
innovative ideas around teaching and learning

For businesses:

Extensive networking opportunities
Enhanced status within the community
Input to curriculum design and delivery
Training and development for staff
Enhanced coverage, success and profit
Access to innovative ideas and potential employees for the future

"Businesses need to see it as a part of their strategy, part of their future".

Steven Walter, General Manager, Baker Hydraulics, SA

Our business partner profiles which give you examples from a range of business partners involved in the pilot project. You can use these to assist you in the recruitment of new business partners for your LEEP partnership.

What is an enterprising culture?

One of the first stages in the development of a LEEP partnership is to discuss a common understanding of terms such as ‘enterprise learning’, ‘enterprise education’ or to look at enterprising skills and attributes. Once you all have a common approach it is easier to focus on what you want to develop and why! >> view definitions >>

What’s involved?

During the pilot phase a facilitator helped to take each pilot through a set of developmental stages. These included meetings once a term, a team building business simulation, work shadowing, reciprocal visits and developing a mission statement and action plan.

Schools Participating in Partnerships

"The outcomes we have agreed together will be life changing for some of our students".

Denis Dickinson, Principal, Calwell High School, ACT

Nine pilot partnerships across four States and the ACT have been taking part in the pilot phase.

A B Paterson College, Qld
Calwell High School, ACT
Cerdon College, NSW
Eastern Fleurieu School, SA
Hamilton Secondary College, SA
Heathdale Christian College, Vic
Helensvale State High School, Qld
Telopea Park School, ACT
Yarra Valley Grammar, Vic

Formal evaluation has been conducted throughout the project by the University of Technology Sydney .

Description: LEEP Evaluation Report - December 2006
Download: LEEP Evaluation Report(File Size: 130kb)

Choose the best model for you

You can choose what’s right for you based on the experiences of the pilot partnerships. There are tried and tested stages to the process which have been recommended. These stages aim to help you form longer lasting partnerships with a clear purpose and direction. The timing and order of things can be changed around to suit the needs of your partnership.