Unit 28 Work-based Experience

Introduction

Aim

This unit aims to enable learners to experience the scope and depth of learning which may take place in a work-based context by planning, monitoring and evaluating the work experience.

Unit abstract

A significant amount of learning can be achieved through carrying out practical activities in a workplace. Learning may be enhanced by taking a more formal approach to work-based activities by planning and carrying out the activities and reflecting on the benefits of the activities for the business and learner. Learners will have the opportunity, supported by their supervisors, to negotiate and perform activities which will allow them to meet the assessment criteria for this unit. They will recognise the scope of their achievement by recording evidence from carrying out the activities. They will also gain maximum benefit by reflecting on and evaluating the work they undertake.

Learning outcomes

1 Be able to negotiate industry experience

Suitable organisation and location: types of establishments for placement eg existing work environment, different department within current employer’s business
Negotiation: constructing a curriculum vitae; methods of contacting organisations; methods of undertaking negotiations
Nature of duties: type of undertaking eg routine duties and tasks, project work, case-study investigation, development of new procedures/protocol, research based study applied to theoretical learning
Supervisors: roles and responsibilities of academic and industrial mentors
Expectations of learning: aims eg proficiency in new tasks and procedures, time management and problem-solving skills, reflection, discussion of progress with others, teamwork
Business constraints: consideration of possible limitations, eg need to be fully trained, adherence to quality systems, health and safety considerations, supervision time, workload, customer satisfaction, limited staffing, cost of materials.

2 Understand the specific requirements of the placement

Tasks: details of activities eg specific hourly, daily, weekly routine and non-routine tasks; breakdown of a project into stages; new procedures/protocol
Prioritise: reasons for rationalisation of the order of tasks; methods of prioritising work
Plan for the work experience: methods used to develop detailed plan with schedule of tasks, proposed dates for reviews, expected input from supervisors, multicultural awareness; experiential learning benefits and limitations
Benefits to organisation and learner: advantages to business eg meeting performance indicators, allowing more routine tasks to be carried out, allowing procedures/techniques to be developed, increasing responsiveness, identifying cost saving measures; advantages to learner eg understanding how a business operates, understanding importance of teamwork, learning new techniques, development of problem-solving and time-management skills.

3 Be able to undertake work experience as identified

Carry out the planned activities: realisation eg carrying out tasks and project work according to relevant legislation, training and codes of practice; developing new procedures or protocol; evaluating roles in the light of changing context of changing social, economic and political factors
Record activities in the appropriate manner: systematic and appropriate recording of relevant activities, eg logbook, diary, portfolio, spreadsheets, databases; compliance with confidentiality and data protection policies; list of resources
Revise the initial plan as required: methods used to review activities at the appropriate time to see if they meet requirements, make alterations as needed.

4 Be able to monitor and evaluate own performance and learning

Evaluation of the quality of the work undertaken: meeting industry standards and evaluating own performance against original proposal; comments/testimony from supervisors
Account of learning during the work experience: reflective writing; details of experience gained eg new procedures, interpersonal skills, time management, problem solving, teamwork; details of evidence eg portfolio of evidence, case study, scientific report, management report
Recommendations on how the learning experience could have been enhanced: alternative ideas eg different location, different brief, different time period, more/less support, better time management, better preparation.