Work-related learning is defined as: planned activity that uses the context of work to develop knowledge, skills and understanding useful in work, including learning through the experience of work, learning about the experience of work and working practices, and learning the skills for work. (QCA)
Since September 2004 there has been a statutory requirement that all young people should experience workârelated learning within the curriculum at Key Stage 4. Schools and colleges are required to make provision for learning through direct work experience, learning about work and learning for work by developing skills for enterprise and employability. There is an ever increasing need for employers and industry professionals to work in partnerships with education providers.
If you are planning work-related learning opportunities for young people it is important to establish an appropriate and relevant offer for education providers. The most effective way of achieving this is to plan the work in collaboration with all partners. Schools will need to find efficient ways of measuring the outcomes and learning achieved through activities or placements. It is helpful for industry professionals to be familiar with the qualification frameworks and context. The range of qualifications and curriculum areas now available to young people has expanded to support the requirement for work related learning.
Creative and Cultural Skills, the Sector Skills Council for the Creative and Cultural Industries has produced a useful Work-related Learning guidance document for employers and freelance practitioners in the creative and cultural industries. The guidance explores the different types of WRL you could support; it takes you through planning, preparation, responsibilities and practicalities and offers useful tools to use.
Download the guidance here
The Diploma in Creative and Media
The new 14-19 Diplomas rely heavily on the involvement of employers
and industry professionals to provide the work-related learning
components. The
Diploma in Creative and Media,
as it is increasingly taken up, will place larger demands on creative
industries to partner with schools and colleges to provide work-related
learning opportunities, whether these be in school or in the workplace.
A Quality Benchmark for Providers of Work-related Learning in the Creative Industries
A quality benchmark for provision of work-related learning in the creative industries has
been developed by the Diploma Development Partnership. The benchmark,
although not yet finalised, offers a useful set of criteria by which
providers should assess the quality of their provision. The benchmark
should be considered in conjunction with
step by step guidance produced by Skillset.
Read more about the quality benchmark here
Arts practitioners and organisations wishing to promote their offers
to schools and Diploma consortia are advised to do so using the Arts Directory.
Further Guidance on providing Work-related Learning
Education Business Partnerships
Education Business Partnerships are concerned with the brokerage of relationships between industry and education, offering young people realistic introductions into the world of work. Each Local Authority EBP works slightly differently and each cover all areas of industry. Use the
knowledgebase to find out more about the work of your local Education Business Partnership.