Introductory description

This module acknowledges the importance of the work-based nature of Degree Apprenticeships and Professional Qualifications, giving learners the opportunity to embed their learning by applying key aspects of knowledge, demonstrating skills and exhibiting behaviours in their workplace, reflecting on this application and documenting it in preparation for the Apprenticeship End Point Assessment or Professional Qualification. The negotiated nature of this module allows learners to focus on specific aspects of knowledge, skills and / or behaviours they need to enhance to meet the requirements of the relevant standard or syllabus.

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Each learner will negotiate and agree the focus of their work-based learning for this module based on the relevant Degree Apprenticeship Standard or Professional Qualification. This will be agreed in terms of aspects of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours that the learner needs the opportunity to gain and / or demonstrate and will be recorded in their Learning Proposal at the beginning of the module. Learners will then have the opportunity to demonstrate their learning / competence against this proposal undertaking activities such as:

• Shadowing colleagues working in other roles
• Attending appropriate meetings within other departments (not normally available in the current day-job)
• Secondments
• Undertaking projects (not normally available in the current day-job)
• Opportunities to undertake appropriate external (to the company) activities –e.g. engagement with relevant Professional Bodies
• Opportunities to engage with companies in the employer’s supply chain
• Temporary job-swaps

Progress will be monitored and guidance provided through monthly Communities of Practice virtual seminars or regular face to face workshops and learning will be recorded in portfolio entries in preparation for End Point or Professional Assessment.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Interpret the requirements of a Degree Apprenticeship or Professional Qualification standard and creatively identify practical opportunities to apply knowledge and / or skills and behaviours in their work place.
• Critically reflect on experiences at work in the context of the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours required by the relevant Degree Apprenticeship or Professional Qualification standard.
• Independently evaluate their chosen work-based learning approaches in relation to the relevant Degree Apprenticeship standard or Professional Qualification and record this.
• Demonstrate work-based competence in the specific Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours negotiated in the Learning Proposal.

Indicative reading list

There are no set texts because the range of subjects to be studied varies. Some reading about the generic skills required for Work Based Learning will be suggested, covering such subjects as, for example, reflective practice and portfolio building.

Helyer R (2015) Learning through reflection: the critical role of reflection in work-based learning (WBL), Journal of Work-Applied Management, Vol 7, Number 1 pp 15-27.

Helyer R, Wall T, Minton A and Lund A (2020) The Work-Based Learning Student Handbook, 3rd Edition, London: Red Globe Press. ISBN 978-1-352-01154-8

Laycock M and Karpel M (2015) Negotiation and work-based Learning, in Helyer R (Ed) (2015)
Facilitating Work Based Learning A Handbook for Tutors, pp73-93, London: Palgrave. ISBN 978-1-137-40324-7

Smith S and Smith L (2015) Social Learning: Supporting yourself and your Peers, in Helyer R (2015) The Work-Based Learning Student Handbook, 2nd Edition, London: Palgrave. ISBN 978-1-137-41383-3

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Subject specific skills

Critical Reflection, Negotiation

Transferable skills

Communication, Organisational Awareness, Problem Solving, Professionalism, Self Awareness, Teamwork