Work-Based Learning
(WBL)
Set up since 2007 through the England-Africa Partnership
(EAP) Programme
in collaboration with
Work-Based Learning
• A combination
of school-based preparation and
supervised work site experience designed in
collaboration with the industry to enable students
to acquire knowledge, skills and attitudes for career
in real work settings
• The general purpose is to provide students with
work experience and with long term educational and
vocational benefits
A.Stern (1997)
Work-Based Learning
•Academic Achievement remains a vital component
for graduate success in the labour market
•Employers increasingly looking for “Something Extra”
which makes a candidate stand out from the crowd
•Something Extra :
•WBL
skills
experience of work
ability to function
Improve Employability
Work-Based Learning
•Credit rated in all programs
•Assessed by mentors
•Monitored by Link Tutors
WBL UNIT
Link Tutor
STUDENT
INDUSTRY
Mentor
Module
Weightage
Number of
Credits
PreRequirement
Placement
Period
WBL 1000
1
2
None
6-8 weeks
WBL 2000
3
2
WBL 1000
6-8 weeks
WBL 3000
5
2
WBL 2000
6-8 weeks
•Orientation Session
•Mentors’ Induction at work setting
•Link Tutor’s Visit
•Assessment & Portfolio Submission
• To engage fully during planned Work-based Learning in order to achieve the
stipulated learning outcome;
• To conform to the regulations and policies of the placement organisation;
• To maintain the confidentiality of any sensitive information concerning the
organisation and its business;
• To adapt to the placement organisation’s culture, methods, leadership and
programmes;
• To consult the supervisor in the event of any problems or concerns related to
the Work-based Learning;
• To notify the mentor of the placement organisation and University, in
advance where possible, of any absences or lateness from scheduled
work hours in line with the University protocol;
• To be an ambassador of the University when gaining Work-based Learning
experience.
• Assess on seven areas of core competencies
(1) Communication
(4) Problem Solving
(2) Team Working
(5) Using and Applying Numbers
(3) Improving Own Learning (6) Using Information Technology
and Performance
(7) Professional Development
(Detailed in module practice document Page 42-44 WBL 2000)
(Detailed in module practice document Page 74-76 WBL 2000)
• Mentor will make first assessment at mid-point
Provide Feedback
Formative Assessment
(Page 47 of Portfolio-WBL 2000)
(Page 79 of Portfolio-WBL3000)
• Mentor will make final assessment at the end of the training period
Summative Assessment
(Confidential)
Final Result
• All evidences of learning outcome achieved have to be recorded by
the student and sign by the Mentor and the Student (Pages 56 – 69 of
portfolio-WBL2000 & Pages 88-100-WBL3000)
• Link Tutor’s Visit and Comments to be recorded and signed by
the Link Tutor and the Student (Page 53 of portfolio –WBL2000 and Page
85-WBL3000 )
• Page 52 & 84 is to be left blank (Not Applicable)
• Portfolio must be completed and submitted by students to the WBL Office
at the Registry ,CPDL at latest Friday 22 July 2011
• Result will be out after the next examination board
• Portfolio will be kept at the WBL Office and will be submitted again to
students next year for WBL 2000 & WBL 3000
• Portfolio remains the property of the University of Mauritius
Communication
-Analyses the effectiveness of the communication systems which are in
place in an allocated work setting
Answers
-Must identify the strengths and weaknesses of the comm. system
Sample
At ASRO
Communication is seen to be at the heart of every work allocation at ASRO.
I found several strengths and weaknesses.
Strengths: There is a good flow of info. from Faculties to ASRO and vice
versa. E.g. for the graduation ceremony, Faculties communicates the list of
graduates to ASRO. Invitation Letters are then prepared by ASRO and sent to
graduates. ASRO thereafter sent a confirmation list to Faculties.
Weaknesses: At counter desks, staff constantly received calls coming from
members of the public. Queries are answered one by one since there is only
one telephone. This service could be enhanced by having more telephones
and more staff at the counter desk.
[D.Leon,BA(Hons) French]
Communication
-Engages in a range of communication interactions and skills in the
work place
Answers
-Must relate how you engaged yourself
Sample
At MACOSS
I was given the opportunity to use the Intranet for accessing the various
resources of the company. I used emailing facility to interact directly with the
personnel. Besides, I attended meetings organised by MACOSS where I had
the opportunity to participate actively on some current issues. I was also
engaged in face-to-face communication for discussing and solving day-today problems.
[A.Tiroumalechetty,BSc(Hons) Management]
Communication
- Evaluates the effectiveness of own communication interactions and
skills in the work place
Answers
-Must identify how your engagement has been functioning
- Sample
In a secondary school
I have performed various demos in the laboratory in front of
many students. When the students thereafter carried their practical
test on their own, I can clearly observe that they have applied the
knowledge and skills transferred to them. In addition, the theory and
concept that I taught in class have been properly understood since
students have successfully worked out past exam questions on these
topics
[S.PEM, BSc(Hons) Physics with Electronics]
Communication
-Develop strategies for the enhancement of own communication skills
Answers
-Must relate how you planned to improve your comm. skills.
Sample
In a secondary school
To catch the attention of students that were not following classes, I
organised group work where I have divided students in five groups. I
have given more close attention to the students and this has facilitated
students interaction with me. For the lab sessions, I gave individual
attention to students having difficulty in carrying out their practical
tests.
[S.PEM, BSc(Hons) Physics with Electronics]
•How should I dress?
-Formal on the first day as you would go for your first day at work
-Same as the other professionals
-Some work settings have uniforms
-Avoid jeans, piercing, disco hair styles
•What if I am absent from placement?
-For one or two days, inform the mentor
-More than two days, inform the mentor and the WBL Unit
-Provisions should be made with the mentor for replacing missing
days in case of more than two days missed
-Will be penalised for absences without justification
•What if I submit the portfolio late?
-University regulations will apply same as for other modules
•What if I submit a blank portfolio?
-No record of evidence of achievement. Will get “N” as result
•What if I do not complete the training, do not return portfolio and do
not inform the WBL Unit ?
-Will Fail with grade ‘F”
•What if my mentor does not complete his part in the portfolio
(interview part)?
-Student will not be penalised. The interview part is optional.
However, it is recommended that mentors perform these so as to
ensure proper support of student’s achievement.
•What if my mentor does not sign in my portfolio for my attendance and
my record of evidence achieved?
-This may be interpreted that the mentor cannot endorse that the
student was present and has achieved what has been written as
evidence. Do avoid being penalised, it is imperative that student
requests their mentor to sign off for them.
•What if no link tutor visit me?
-Student will not be penalised. In case there is need, the WBL Unit
may contact the mentor for feedback after the portfolio submission
•What if the link tutor visit me, but do not fill in his part in my portfolio?
-If this is because the student does not have his portfolio or the student
is away on the day of the link tutor’s visit, then student must ensure that
this part is completed before submitting his portfolio.
-In case the link tutor himself requests that he will do it afterwards, then
the WBL Unit will handle after portfolio submission.
•What if I do not get my WBL result after the next exam board?
-You should contact the WBL Unit immediately. This happen
particularly for students who have to repeat the year.
•I am in my final year of studies, will WBL delay my graduation ?
-You will graduate, the WBL result will be approved and therein
mentioned in your transcript afterwards.
Project Coordinator
: Mr. Abdool Mohabuth
Placement Coordinator : Miss Maliny Soobrayen
Office : Ground Floor, Centre for Professional
Development & LifeLong Learning
Slides may be viewed on: http://vcampus.uom.ac.mu/wbl