Work Placement
The Work Placement is an important practical element of the students’ vocational course structure:
- It comprises 10% of the total vocational course duration in Grade 12.
- It comprises of 160 hours over four weeks.
The Work Placement helps students to build a strong and practical understanding of their industry-based courses within the real work environment. Sponsoring companies consider work placement as a very important element to identify talented future employees.
The work placement is intended to provide students with the opportunity to:- Experience the environment of a real workplace and how needs are identified, and resources are acquired.
- Organize themselves so that they can receive, quickly understand and carry out instructions to the satisfaction of their trainer/employer, key skills for progressing towards the completion of more responsible work.
- Develop the interpersonal skills required to enable them to work efficiently as a member of a team.
- Acquire and develop technical skills associated with the nature of their study/work.
- Identify, analyze and discuss with experienced practitioners how theoretical concepts are adapted and applied to suit practical requirements.
- • Apply knowledge that will help them to plan and evaluate future studies and career development.
Work Placement Learning Outcomes At the end of the Work Placement, students should have met the following learning outcomes (evidenced in the student portfolio):
- Gained an insight into real work environment and its operations
- Applied relevant technical/business skills and knowledge in a work context
- Demonstrated use of initiative in dealing with issues/problems in the working environment
- Reflected on their learning experiences and how they fit with their personal objectives and career development, both short and long term
- Evaluated the effectiveness of specific training undertaken
- Developed a range of skills and attributes which will contribute to graduate employment opportunities
The process for the Work Placement is separated into 4 stages:
- Preparation: The schools secure hosting companies for the students and place them accordingly. One Mentor needs to be assigned by the school to attend the students daily at their Workplace.
- Logistics: The schools need to make sure that each student has their Work Placement Record Book and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ready. The transport to and from the company and lunch for students is arranged.
- Implementation: The training takes place annually on the approved dates and is mentored by career cluster related subject teachers and supervised by the school management. The first two days of the Work Placement include an in-house training at the schools, conducted by the school mentors.
- Conclusion: Each Work Placement period has to be completed by the Work Placement Record Book (signed by the school and industry) from each student. Each school has to prepare a final Work Placement report and has to submit it to the upper management.
