CDETB –Draft of the Methodology for Producing a Quality Work Based Learning Model for the VET Sector in Ireland

 

                                                      Skills4Work – Quality Work Based Learning Model

 

5 Key Supporting Principles / Pillars
  1 2   3     4   5
Develop the knowledge, experience and skills of all teachers working in the field of work-based learning Ensure that learning institutions and employers collaborate effectively so that they are regularly sharing information Ensure that all learners have the skills and opportunities to reflect critically on their participation in work based learning Provide clarity around the roles and responsibilities of all those involved in work based learning Develop reliable and valid assessments for work based learning
CDETB will support each principle/ pillar above by commencing work in the following areas:

 

Develop resources and templates to support teachers / tutors undertaking Internships /Externships

Lead: Miriam O’Donoghue CDU

Develop a resource with good practice ideas and tips on different ways that collaboration can take place with employers at class level and at college/centre level

Lead: Larry Smullen Ballyfermot Training Centre

Develop a resource that teachers / tutors can use to help learners develop ‘soft’ skills and to self-evaluate / reflect on these skills

Lead:Aine Daly, Colaiste Dhulaigh and Patricia McStay, Cabra College

Develop a resource to support the role of the teacher/tutor when visiting a work placement

Lead: Karen Abberton, Ballsbridge College

Develop a resource to support employers when assessing   learners in the workplace

Lead: Finola Butler, CDU/FESS

 

                                                                                              Validation
  Process as outlined by the project CDETBs response / progress
1 Decide on the improvement areas you would like to focus on

·         Each partner organisation should select 3 areas

·         In selecting these areas consider the following:

o   emerging list of WBL principles agreed during the project meeting in Dublin

o   Overall goal of the project to enhance WBL experiences for all learners

CDETB has reviewed learning from:

·         two study visits to date (Berlin and Slovenia)

·         the emerging WBL principles supporting a quality WBL model as agreed at the last project meeting in Dublin

·         goals of the project

·         CDETB needs / areas for improvement

 

2 What are the gaps in your current WBL system?

·         In selecting these gaps consider the following:

o   Feedback from your teachers based on the experience from the study visits, brainstorming sessions and focus groups

o   Feedback at the end of work experience etc.

o   Feedback from current placement providers

There are many areas that CDETB would like to develop to support WBL. However for the purpose of this project CDETB has decided to focus on 5 priority areas. The 5 areas will enable CDETB to:

·         address each of the principles identified by the project partners

·         involve colleges / centres from across CDETBs Skills4Work project advisory group

·         maximise opportunities for buy in from colleges/centres

3 What type of activities will you implement in your organisation in a given timeframe (May 2015-March 2016) to address the gaps identified?

o   List of activities

o   Implementation plan

o   Monitoring strategies

o   Evaluation results

List of activities

Following an internal review/brainstorm in CDETB we propose that there will be five main work areas in CDETB:

1.      Develop resources and templates to support teachers / tutors undertaking Internships /Externships  (Lead: Miriam O’Donoghue, CDU)

2.      Develop a resource with good practice ideas and tips on different ways that collaboration can take place with employers at class/learner/teacher/tutor level and at college/centre level (Lead: Larry Smullen, Ballyfermot Training Centre)

3.      Develop a resource that teachers / tutors can use to help learners develop ‘soft’ skills and to self -evaluate / reflect on these skills

(Lead:Aine Daly, Colaiste Dhulaigh and Patricia McStay, Cabra College)

4.      Develop a resource to support the role of the teacher/tutor when visiting a work placement (Lead: Karen Abberton, Ballsbridge College)

5.      Develop a resource to support employers when assessing learners in the workplace

(Lead: Finola Butler, CDU/FESS)

Implementation plan

·         The development stage of all 5 work areas will take place from September to mid November 2015

·         From mid November the outcomes of the work areas will be piloted.

Monitoring strategies

·         The development work and the implementation of the outcomes of the work areas will be overseen/monitored by the project management team in CDETB

Evaluation results

·         A focus group of those involved in development and implementation of each work area will be convened by the CDETB project management team for evaluation purposes

4 Trialling: How do you intend to trial new strategies/methods and who will be involved?

o   Selected group of VET teachers

o   Selected group of learners

o   Enterprises involved in your VET & Business Working group

Trialling will begin to take place from mid November 2015

·         5 colleges/centres from CDETB are already involved in the project and the Principals /Directors are part of the projects advisory group in CDETB

·         VET teachers and learners will come from these colleges/centres.

·         This groups of colleges/centres are members of the VET & Business Working group set up by CDETB

·         Each college/centre is committed to the project and any trialling/piloting required.

·         Enterprises will be fully engaged through the VET & Business Working group who will meet again in November 2015

5 Contributions. What resources or existing practices have you in relation to the emerging principles that you can share with the other partners?

This is the space in the Validation Table where all partners can share their existing resources to support validation process in all project countries

You may have developed resources in an area another partner is hoping to focus on

Resources will be shared via the Skills4Work project website in a private space for project partners

·         A review process has begun to identify existing resources in CDETB and these will be shared on the Skills4Work project website

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