Developing Employability Through Work Experience 14-19

Gary Forrest

Educating for employability

Location of

experience

School

Work

Type of learning

Vocational

preparation

Occupationally

specific

Work

relevant

Work related

Vocationally related

Occupationally related

3

Work-related learning

Work-based learning School-based learning

Part/full time and

voluntary employmentLive

projectPlacement Simulation

Role

play

Case

study/history

Long Short

Continuum of teaching

and learning activities

4

Work-related learning

Work-based learning School-based learning

Part/full time and

voluntary employmentLive

projectPlacement Simulation

Role

play

Case

study/history

Long Short

Continuum of teaching

and learning activities

5

Work experience is….

• “a placement on an employer’s premises, in which a pupil carries out a particular task or duty, more or less as would an employee, but with the emphasis on the learning aspects of the experience.”

6

Aims of work experience

• transitional– career taster – understand world of work– getting references or maybe a job

• developmental– self confidence – broaden horizons– maturity – personal and social development– motivation – make the curriculum relevant, raise aspirations

• educational– enhance and deepen understanding of subject knowledge– develop skills for employability– support qualifications – vocational courses, Extended Project

7

Different forms of work experience

• Doing an actual job

• Helping someone with their job and providing an extra pair of hands

• Rotating round different departments

• Carrying out a specially constructed task/project

8

Learning at the placement

Watching PractisingImitating

Feedback Chatting

Teaching and

HelpingProblem solving

Listening,

transcribing &

rememberingWriting and

sketching

Learning on the fly

9

E = (Q + WE + S) x F

Team

working

Positive

Attitude

Application

of IT

Application of

numeracy

Business &

customer awareness

Communication

& literacy

Self-

management

Problem

Solving

11

creative

makes connections questioning

communicates well

self control

thirst for knowledge

curious creativity

flexible

resilient

listens and reflects

critical

skilled

determined

humility

willing to have a go

thinks for themselvesshows initiative

gets on well with others

respect and good

manners

gratitude

confident and ambitious

zest and enthusiasmsensitive to global concerns

optimistic

takes risks

self-editing

Characteristics, values and habits

12

Experiential learning

First hand

Second hand

ReflectionInvestigate

further

Grasp

experience

Transform into

knowledge

13

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Experience

ReflectionApplication

Generalisation

14

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Experience

Before the placement

On the placement

After the placement

15

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Experience

Reflection

Diaries and logs

Group discussions

Personal accounts

Flip chart key ideas and issues

Brainstorming

Posters to illustrate experience

16

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Experience

Reflection

Generalisation

Individual and group presentations

Reports and essays

Data analysis

Evaluation

17

The Experiential Learning Cycle

Experience

Reflection

Application

Generalisation

Projects

Simulations

Role plays

Drama

Scripts

Stories

18

Learning from work experience

Experience

Interview student before placement.

Plan and deliver induction

programme. Offer challenging tasks.

Be shadowed/interviewed by

student.

Reflection

Discuss logbook or diary. Meet

student for 10 minutes at end of day.

Ask questions about what student

has learnt.

Generalisation

Ask students to present what they

have found out about company or

work in general. Formal debriefing at

end of placement.

Application

Identify opportunities for students to

apply new skills. Ask student to talk

about previously acquired skills

which they have used.

19

Learning from work experience at school

Experience

Provide work placements.

Reflection

Take part in school-based

debriefing. Offer their observations

on the experience. Comment on

positive aspects of students’ work.

Generalisation

Provide information about company.

Offer videos and literature for

presentations. Act as audience and

offer own perspective.

Application

Provide work-based problems to be

used in follow-up work. Use

feedback or assessment forms to

suggest ways that students can

develop skills.

How do you know if work experience has had an impact on their employability?

Understanding of

world of work

Career plans and

aspirations

References,

placement

and job offers

Maturity and motivation

Enhanced and deeper

understanding of

subject knowledge

Attainment

Skills for employability

21

Materials to support speaking & listening skills as part of work experience

• Baseline assessment of speaking and listening skills

• Preparation activities

• Employer briefing

• Post-placement activity

• Case studies (to follow)

www.educationforemployability.co.uk

22

Current issues and developments

23

Gary Forrestgarydforrest@yahoo.co.uk

Twitter: @garydforrest

For further details please contact

www.educationforemployability.co.uk