Considering Workplace Considering Workplace ExposureExposure

Initial findings from the Construction Initial findings from the Construction CIPCIP

Workplace Rationale for offering Workplace Rationale for offering Students Opportunities for Workplace Students Opportunities for Workplace

ExposureExposure

There was a very high level of buy-in from Senior There was a very high level of buy-in from Senior Management who requested that their workplaces Management who requested that their workplaces participate in the programmeparticipate in the programme

Some of the workplaces indicated that they hoped Some of the workplaces indicated that they hoped that through their involvement in the programme that through their involvement in the programme they would be able to find potential employeesthey would be able to find potential employees

Some workplaces had specific roles in mind which Some workplaces had specific roles in mind which they believed that the students would be able to they believed that the students would be able to assist with.assist with.

Activities that were undertaken by Activities that were undertaken by students at the Workplacestudents at the Workplace

Induction: All companies provided Site Safety & Health and Induction: All companies provided Site Safety & Health and Environmental Issues and in some cases companies also included Environmental Issues and in some cases companies also included an orientation to civil engineering & in other cases an introduction an orientation to civil engineering & in other cases an introduction to the specific procedures of the companyto the specific procedures of the company

Some companies provided practical training in areas such as: Some companies provided practical training in areas such as: Formwork & scaffolding, Bricklaying, Reading & Interpreting of Formwork & scaffolding, Bricklaying, Reading & Interpreting of drawings, Setting out Buildings, Using spirit levels, Erecting & drawings, Setting out Buildings, Using spirit levels, Erecting & Dismantling of scaffolding, Concrete wall construction, Plastering, Dismantling of scaffolding, Concrete wall construction, Plastering, Concrete Mixing & Carpentry. Concrete Mixing & Carpentry.

Some companies involved students in practical work: Some companies involved students in practical work: assisting a assisting a shutter-hand; cutting concrete with the team leader, using the shutter-hand; cutting concrete with the team leader, using the concrete vibrator, performing levelling, lining of pipes; repairing concrete vibrator, performing levelling, lining of pipes; repairing doors & shutter boards, doing repair work on ceilings, quality doors & shutter boards, doing repair work on ceilings, quality assurance related activities & “assurance related activities & “working alongside the foremen working alongside the foremen doing this and that they were happy with that.”doing this and that they were happy with that.”

Workplace Perception of the LearnersWorkplace Perception of the Learners

A few companies stated that they had requested students with A few companies stated that they had requested students with particular skills and indicated that were comfortable that the particular skills and indicated that were comfortable that the students that they received had the skills that they had asked students that they received had the skills that they had asked for (good match)for (good match)

Many supervisors said that the learners had the appropriate Many supervisors said that the learners had the appropriate attitudes and many commented that the students were willing attitudes and many commented that the students were willing to work as a teamto work as a team

Supervisors observed that those students that had previous Supervisors observed that those students that had previous work experience were much more prepared for the workplace work experience were much more prepared for the workplace than they had been in the previous yearthan they had been in the previous year

While many supervisors said learners had theoretical While many supervisors said learners had theoretical knowledge but insufficient practical skills, they indicated that knowledge but insufficient practical skills, they indicated that this was dealt with in terms of supervision arrangements (that this was dealt with in terms of supervision arrangements (that is students could undertake practical work if shown what to do is students could undertake practical work if shown what to do and if properly supervised)and if properly supervised)

Workplaces perceptions of the effect of Workplaces perceptions of the effect of the workplace exposure on Learnersthe workplace exposure on Learners

Some students emerged with certificates where they had Some students emerged with certificates where they had participated in practical trainingparticipated in practical training

Supervisors stated that the students learned a lot about how to Supervisors stated that the students learned a lot about how to conduct themselves at the workplace, comments included:conduct themselves at the workplace, comments included:

““They learned supervision skills and an ability to carry out a task They learned supervision skills and an ability to carry out a task without someone on your back. They also learned how to work in a without someone on your back. They also learned how to work in a team and blended well with the other workers.”team and blended well with the other workers.”

““The students get the skills and quality training in areas that the theory The students get the skills and quality training in areas that the theory does not cover”.does not cover”.

““They get skills and experience on site especially practical technical They get skills and experience on site especially practical technical skills as well as working in a team”.skills as well as working in a team”.

Workplace perceptions on the Relationship Workplace perceptions on the Relationship between themselves and the collegesbetween themselves and the colleges

Many workplaces were not aware that there was a Many workplaces were not aware that there was a provider or that students were undertaking the NCV provider or that students were undertaking the NCV (they only knew that they were students)(they only knew that they were students)

Workplaces were not clear as to what they could Workplaces were not clear as to what they could expect of the learners or what was expected of them expect of the learners or what was expected of them during the workplace exposureduring the workplace exposure

Workplaces primarily related to their head offices in Workplaces primarily related to their head offices in terms of the logistics of the workplace exposure terms of the logistics of the workplace exposure (though a few had FET lecturers who were also (though a few had FET lecturers who were also placed with them but this appears to have been treated placed with them but this appears to have been treated as a separate programmes)as a separate programmes)

Workplace Perception on Future Workplace Perception on Future Involvement in the ProgrammeInvolvement in the Programme

Workplaces were generally positive about future Workplaces were generally positive about future involvement in the programmeinvolvement in the programme

They suggested though that the programme could be They suggested though that the programme could be improved if they had more information and guidanceimproved if they had more information and guidance

Critically a number of the companies suggested that Critically a number of the companies suggested that they would be willing to either offer apprenticeships they would be willing to either offer apprenticeships to students or even to consider the employment of to students or even to consider the employment of some of the students (and a number of supervisors some of the students (and a number of supervisors stated that they have already identified students for stated that they have already identified students for future options)future options)