Industry Partnered Learning: A strategy to enhance STEM student employability and career development

This paper outlines an approach by the STEM College, RMIT University to enhance student employability and long-term career outcomes by embedding Industry Partnered Learning (IPL) across STEM degrees. Through a curriculum mapping exercise led by the Learning, Teaching & Quality Portfolio in the STEM College, we identified gaps in integrating career development, employability skills and industry engagement throughout these degrees. To address this, we developed STEM IPL Standards aligned with institutional principles, providing a structured framework for embedding industry engagement and professional connections within curricula. The outcomes highlight the importance of a whole-of-program approach to career development, moving beyond late-stage WIL experiences to create more scaffolded development for students. This structured approach provides a model for colleges seeking to better prepare students for their future careers through IPL-related curriculum innovation.