Work-Related Learning

What is work-related learning?

Work-related learning describes a broad range of activities for students of all ages. These activities help students learn about the world of work by experiencing and preparing for it. Work-related learning takes place in the context of the world of work, to help students develop knowledge, skills and understanding that will be useful in that world.

Rationale

Within a broad and balanced education, all young people need work-related learning. It is an essential part of fully preparing for an adult life in which they can contribute to the country’s economic well-being.

Work-related learning develops students’ employability and helps to prepare them for life in the increasingly complex and changing world of work. It improves motivation by helping students see how their school work relates to the world of work. It also prepares students for further education and training and to make informed decisions about courses and careers. Work-related learning is as important for students who are going straight on to higher education as it is for students who are going straight on to the world of work (for example, to a modern apprenticeship placement).

Work-related learning comprises three strands:

  • learning through work: for example, placements in the community, work experience, part-time jobs, school enterprise activities, vocational contexts in subject learning.
  • learning about work: for example, vocational courses and careers education.
  • learning for work: for example, developing employer-valued key skills and career management skills.

What do students learn from work-related learning?

  • About the diversity and function of business, and its contribution to national prosperity.
  • Enterprise and employability skills and an understanding of their importance in the workplace.
  • About the relevance of their work in school or college to the world of work.
  • About the day-to-day expectations of employees and about work practices, environments, rights and responsibilities.
  • About the range of progression and career opportunities available and the qualifications, skills and attributes required.
  • Career management skills.

How do students experience and acquire work-related learning?

  • The experiences of students will differ according to their individual learning programmes. Work-related learning is acquired in different ways by different students. It can take place:
  • across the curriculum, with different subjects and courses providing students with experiences, opportunities and contexts in which they can develop their learning
  • in subject learning (and citizenship and PSHE learning), supplemented by careers education and work experience
  • in courses that lead to vocational qualifications
  • in extended work-related learning programmes with further education colleges, training providers or employers.

Schools can help students to acquire work-related learning by providing opportunities to:

  • recognise, practise and develop enterprise and employability skills
  • carry out tasks and activities in work contexts
  • meet people from various employment sectors (and see different work roles and working conditions)
  • experience (directly or indirectly) various working practices and environments
  • engage with the ideas, challenges and applications present in the business world (and creatively apply knowledge to deal with and solve problems)
  • use their experience of work (including work experience, part-time jobs and community placements) to extend their understanding of work, work roles, working conditions, workplace rights and responsibilities
  • research and interrogate labour-market information to develop an awareness of the extent and diversity of local and national employment opportunities
  • see how their own abilities and attributes relate to possible careers (and make informed choices about careers based on an understanding of the alternatives).

How do schools know what students have learnt and what evidence do they use to support their claims?

Schools with effective work-related learning already in place check students’ progress against clear learning outcomes and expectations. QCA will develop a national framework for all schools so that current good practice is extended.

The approaches to assessment of learning depend on the intended learning outcomes. Some of these outcomes are assessed as part of GCSE and other qualifications. However, there is no presumption that work-related learning and experience should lead to formal examinations.

Evidence of individuals’ learning can also be included in their progress file and as part of the recording of wider achievements.
We will know whenwork-related learning has had a positive impact whenstudents’ confidence is increased, when they make successful transitions to post-16 education and training, and when there is a higher level of employer satisfaction with new recruits.

14 - 19 Web Links

The links below provide a selection of useful websites which will keep you up to date with developments in 14-19 education and work related learning.

http://www.dfes.gov.uk/14-19
Contains the 14-19 Opportunity and Excellence white paper.

http://www.14-19reform.gov.uk
Provides up-to-date information about the Working Group on 14-19 Reform.

http://ferl.becta.org.uk/
Advice and guidance to support individuals and organisations in making effective use of ILT within 16-19 education.

http://www.qca.org.uk/14-19
Gateway to 14-19 education, including work-related learning. learning resources, and careers education and guidance.

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk
Ofsted publication 'Extending Work-related Learning at Key Stage 4', and press releases.

http://www.vocationallearning.org.uk/
Site provided by the Learning and Skills Development Agency, provides support for schools and colleges to deliver GNVQs, vocational A levels, the new GCSEs and the work-related curriculum at Key Stage 4.

http://www.young-enterprise.org.uk/
Supports schools to deliver Young Enterprise programmes and suggests how they can deliver curriculum objectives, key skills and enterprise education.

http://www.thetridenttrust.org.uk
Supports Trident, who work with educational, industrial and voluntary bodies to help develop young people. Trident provides block KS4 work experience and help to find extended work experience for certain students.

http://www.studentfutures.org.uk/index.cfm
Run by the County Durham Business and Learning Partnership.

http://www.titan.org.uk
provides information on Titan, an educational charity in Birmingham.

http://www.connexions.gov.uk
Supports Connexions, which offers a range of guidance and support for 13 to 19 year olds.

http://www.leacan.org.uk
provides details of the LEACAN work-related learning toolkit and other support materials.

http://www.thegrid.org.uk/learning/wrl/
Provides general/background information, case studies, planning and policies and contains downloadable documents.

http://www.vocfax.org.uk/
The Derbyshire local authority 14-19 Education website, containing resources and case studies.

http://www.wrl-ne.co.uk/index.html
A WRL site for the North East.