What Universities Are Learning from Industry
Insights from Designing Learning with Employers
Universities are often perceived as slow-moving and theory-driven, while industry is viewed as fast, pragmatic, and outcome-focused. Through increasing collaboration with employers across Aotearoa New Zealand, this divide is narrowing, and universities are learning some important lessons about how capability is actually built at work.
In this session, Lisa Burdes and Helen Johnston from UC Online at the University of Canterbury, shares insights from real industry - university partnerships developed in 2025 and 2026. The session will highlight what employers value, how to navigate differing expectations, why stakeholder engagement and trust is vital, and how our understanding of ‘learning impact’ is changing. The session will also explore where formal online learning and workplace L&D are converging, and what this means for those designing, commissioning, or leading learning in organisations.
AGENDA:
5:30 - 6:00pm: Networking, both in-person and online
6:00 - 7:00pm: Talk starts with Lisa
Competency Framework: Learning Design, Adult Learning
Speaker: Lisa Burdes
Lisa Burdes is the Partnerships Manager within the Future Learning and Development team at the University of Canterbury. She works alongside industry partners to develop effective upskilling solutions for their teams. Lisa has extensive experience across both education and industry. She previously managed a government contract, developing and delivering intercultural communication educational products for the private and public sectors, and has been a regular conference speaker at national events.
Host: South Island
Event eligibility: This event is open to NZATD members, affiliates and non-members.
Registering for this event:
- Prices exclude GST.
- Members can register for this event by logging in using their member login details.
- Affiliates: (HRNZ, AITD, CDANZ, FLANZ, ICF, NZOQ, PSANZ, TechCommNZ) can attend at member rates. When registering, follow the non-member registration process and use the 'Online Affiliate' promo code to access the member rate. Contact your affiliate administrator for this code.
Cancellations and Attendance:
- Please give 48 hours notice of cancellation.
- Once registered, you will be expected to pay regardless of attendance.
- Substitutions permitted if transferred to someone holding the same
- ticket type e.g. member. Non-members are not permitted to attend in place of a member.
