This thesis reports a study of the impact of work placements on the transferable skills of engineering students. The thesis provides a review of the theoretical and empirical literature in the field of student work placements and transferable skills and provides a discussion of the measurement of impact in this field. It also describes the design of the study, methods of data collection and the data analyses used. The research project was carried out at Loughborough University from 2005 – 2008. The data was collected from 247 students and 5 DIS (Diploma in Industrial Studies) tutors from three engineering departments (Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering and the Institute of Polymer Technology and Materials Engineering (IPTME)) and 26 line managers from 19 different companies which take students on placements. The results shows that the overwhelming majority of the students valued work placements as a way of developing transferable skills and identified the transferable skills which work placements were most likely and least likely to develop. There was close agreement on these matters between students who had experienced placements and those that had not. All DIS tutors and 87% of the line managers interviewed considered that a work placement had a very strong or strong impact upon the transferable skills of the students. Triangulation of the responses by students, tutors and line managers revealed close agreement on these matters. Students, tutors and line managers had mixed opinions whether work placements would improve degree results. In fact, work placement students performed significantly better in degree examinations than non work placement students. The tutors and line managers stressed particularly that work placements increased the confidence and maturity of the students. They suggested holiday work, summer work, team based projects as a part of the University degree courses as alternative ways of helping the students who are not doing work placements to acquire and improve their transferable skills, although they did not think that these suggested alternatives will be as effective as the one year placement. They considered that the duration of the work experience period is a key factor in improving transferable skills.

<p>Work integrated learning was established at Swedish universities about twenty years ago; and today there are some different attitudes about the purpose of integrating theoretical perspectives to practical experiences, during higher education. For example, there are arguments that students tend to become clients or tools in order to gain regional development if the practical perspectives overcome the possibilities of reflection. Education will in this case only serve to facilitate employment after graduation, rather than to facilitate developmental learning. To understand the relationship between reproductive- and developmental learning, this thesis explores the different kinds of strategies student teachers develop, during their teacher training – to gain the skills and knowledge needed to work as a professional teacher. The focus is how the students respond to the various emerging contradictions, while crossing the boundaries – between the university, and the workplace. The activity theory approach conceptualizes boundary-crossing as a phenomenon based on the idea of horizontal development – which requires the ability to find relevant information wherever it may be available. The implication is that change and development occur as a result of collaboration through mutual boundary objects, and via emerging contradictions between two or more interacting activity systems. The overall design resembles a phenomenological case study performed over a period of approximately six months. The population providing the empirical data consisted of five student teachers, in their first year, attending a teacher training program in Sweden. Data collection where gathered through a three-step design, where exploratory narrative interviews were conducted at three different occasions: (i) after their first period of work placement, (ii) before entering their second period of work placement and (iii) immediately after their second period of work placement. The results indicate that the students’ processes of learning include four distinct learning strategies (questioning, challenging, adjusting and imitating), to transform the information given in various situations. These strategies are consequences of the students´ prior experiences when encountering contradictions during their teacher training program.</p> / <p>För omkring 20 år sedan utvecklades arbetsintegrerat lärande som en ny pedagogisk form på svenska högskolor och universitet Det råder dock delade meningar om syftet bakom högskolans ambition att integrera teoretiska perspektiv till individuella praktiska erfarenheter. Exempelvis riskerar studenter att liknas vid klienter, eller verktyg för regional utveckling om fokus på praktiska erfarenheter överordnas möjligheten till reflektion. Utbildningens roll kan i så fall bli att underlätta anställningsbarhet efter examen istället för att leda till ett utvecklingsinriktat lärande. För att förstå relationen mellan anpassnings- och utvecklingsinriktat lärande undersöker denna uppsats vilka strategier lärarstudenter utvecklar, under utbildning på lärarprogrammet, för att uppbära den kunskap som behövs för att kunna arbeta som lärare. Fokus ligger på hur studenterna svarar mot de varierande motsättningar som uppstår vid övergångarna mellan högskolan och arbetsplatsen. Uppsatsen utgår från verksamhetsteoretiska resonemang och speciellt fenomenet ”boundary-crossing” som innebär grunden för horisontell utveckling och innefattar förmågan att finna relevant information där den är tillgänglig. Utgångspunkten är att förändring och utveckling sker som ett resultat av samverkan mot gemensamma mål och på grund av motsättningar mellan två eller flera verksamhetssystem. Det övergripande upplägget av studien kan liknas vid en fenomenologisk fallstudie och utfördes under sex månader. Populationen som ligger till grund för studiens empiriska data består av fem lärarstudenter som studerar sitt första år vid en av Sveriges lärarutbildningar. Data samlades in genom narrativa intervjuer vid tre olika tillfällen: (i) efter studenternas första praktikperiod, (ii) innan studenterna påbörjade sin andra praktikperiod och (iii) direkt efter att studenterna avslutat sin andra praktikperiod. Studiens resultat visar att lärarstudenterna använder fyra olika lärandestrategier (ifrågasättande, utmanande, anpassande och imiterande), för att omvandla den information de möter till kunskap, vid olika tillfällen under lärarutbildningen. Dessa strategier utvecklas som följd av de erfarenheter studenterna har med sig när de möter olika motsättningar under lärarutbildningen.</p>

Work integrated learning was established at Swedish universities about twenty years ago; and today there are some different attitudes about the purpose of integrating theoretical perspectives to practical experiences, during higher education. For example, there are arguments that students tend to become clients or tools in order to gain regional development if the practical perspectives overcome the possibilities of reflection. Education will in this case only serve to facilitate employment after graduation, rather than to facilitate developmental learning. To understand the relationship between reproductive- and developmental learning, this thesis explores the different kinds of strategies student teachers develop, during their teacher training – to gain the skills and knowledge needed to work as a professional teacher. The focus is how the students respond to the various emerging contradictions, while crossing the boundaries – between the university, and the workplace. The activity theory approach conceptualizes boundary-crossing as a phenomenon based on the idea of horizontal development – which requires the ability to find relevant information wherever it may be available. The implication is that change and development occur as a result of collaboration through mutual boundary objects, and via emerging contradictions between two or more interacting activity systems. The overall design resembles a phenomenological case study performed over a period of approximately six months. The population providing the empirical data consisted of five student teachers, in their first year, attending a teacher training program in Sweden. Data collection where gathered through a three-step design, where exploratory narrative interviews were conducted at three different occasions: (i) after their first period of work placement, (ii) before entering their second period of work placement and (iii) immediately after their second period of work placement. The results indicate that the students’ processes of learning include four distinct learning strategies (questioning, challenging, adjusting and imitating), to transform the information given in various situations. These strategies are consequences of the students´ prior experiences when encountering contradictions during their teacher training program. / För omkring 20 år sedan utvecklades arbetsintegrerat lärande som en ny pedagogisk form på svenska högskolor och universitet Det råder dock delade meningar om syftet bakom högskolans ambition att integrera teoretiska perspektiv till individuella praktiska erfarenheter. Exempelvis riskerar studenter att liknas vid klienter, eller verktyg för regional utveckling om fokus på praktiska erfarenheter överordnas möjligheten till reflektion. Utbildningens roll kan i så fall bli att underlätta anställningsbarhet efter examen istället för att leda till ett utvecklingsinriktat lärande. För att förstå relationen mellan anpassnings- och utvecklingsinriktat lärande undersöker denna uppsats vilka strategier lärarstudenter utvecklar, under utbildning på lärarprogrammet, för att uppbära den kunskap som behövs för att kunna arbeta som lärare. Fokus ligger på hur studenterna svarar mot de varierande motsättningar som uppstår vid övergångarna mellan högskolan och arbetsplatsen. Uppsatsen utgår från verksamhetsteoretiska resonemang och speciellt fenomenet ”boundary-crossing” som innebär grunden för horisontell utveckling och innefattar förmågan att finna relevant information där den är tillgänglig. Utgångspunkten är att förändring och utveckling sker som ett resultat av samverkan mot gemensamma mål och på grund av motsättningar mellan två eller flera verksamhetssystem. Det övergripande upplägget av studien kan liknas vid en fenomenologisk fallstudie och utfördes under sex månader. Populationen som ligger till grund för studiens empiriska data består av fem lärarstudenter som studerar sitt första år vid en av Sveriges lärarutbildningar. Data samlades in genom narrativa intervjuer vid tre olika tillfällen: (i) efter studenternas första praktikperiod, (ii) innan studenterna påbörjade sin andra praktikperiod och (iii) direkt efter att studenterna avslutat sin andra praktikperiod. Studiens resultat visar att lärarstudenterna använder fyra olika lärandestrategier (ifrågasättande, utmanande, anpassande och imiterande), för att omvandla den information de möter till kunskap, vid olika tillfällen under lärarutbildningen. Dessa strategier utvecklas som följd av de erfarenheter studenterna har med sig när de möter olika motsättningar under lärarutbildningen.

Bakgrund: Inom politik och media beskrivs unga arbetslösa som oengagerade, lågutbildade och socialt inkompetenta. Denna uppfattning förstärks när allt fler unga inte lyckats komma in på arbetsmarknaden och blir långvarigt arbetslösa. För att åtgärda problemet att ta sig in på arbetsmarknad, sätts de in på arbetsmarknadsåtgärder. Stämmer medias bild över verkligheten? Hur ser åtgärderna egentligen ut och hur påverkas de unga vuxna över tid som arbetslös? Ligger ansvaret för arbetslösheten på personerna själva eller finns det andra bakomliggande faktorer? Hur kan systemet eventuellt förbättras? Metod: För att ta reda på svaren har vi gjort en systematisk litteraturstudie där vi använt oss av 29 artiklar. Resultat: Ju längre arbetslöshet, desto svårare förutsättningar att komma ut på arbetsmarknaden. I takt med tiden försämras dessutom den fysiska, psykiska och sociala hälsan hos individen, vilket medför dubbla negativa konsekvenser. Om man är utan fullständigt gymnasiebetyg eller körkort, är chanserna för jobb bland de minsta. Dagens satsningar ligger framför allt på aktiveringsinsatser. Trots detta avslutar 25 procent gymnasiet utan fullständigt betyg. Slutsats: Arbetslöshet måste åtgärdas så tidigt som möjligt. Ett av de bästa alternativen för både individ och samhälle, är satsningar på kompletta gymnasiebetyg och billigare körkortskostnader. Detta skulle medföra att fler får grundförutsättningar och kvalifikationer för de flesta arbeten som saknar krav på eftergymnasial utbildning.

Work integrated learning (WIL) for the training of engineering technicians and technologists combines the theoretical learning of the fundamentals with their practical application in a real-world situation and environment. The activities in WIL are intended to provide students with specific learning outcomes in each engineering field of study, as well as with the general skills that are necessary for engineers in any field. The WIL learning outcomes are very specific and provide the student with the opportunity to practise and apply the fundamentals in an actual workplace. WIL includes various modalities such as problem-based learning, project-based learning and workplace learning. In this thesis, work integrated learning is referred to specifically as a period of work placement for engineering students. The other modalities of learning are usually included in all engineering qualifications. Thirty percent of the curriculum for the National Diploma engineering qualification in South Africa consists of work integrated learning, which translates into approximately 120 credits. WIL provides a valuable context for learning. However, there has been debate about the offering, placement, quality and supervision of it. This thesis investigates the various factors that may affect the offering of this component of learning in addition to ascertaining the importance of WIL in the training of technicians and technologists. This research comprises a survey conducted among engineering students as well as interviews with lecturers and supervisors directly involved in the implementation of the WIL component. The study investigates the format of WIL and its duration, the presence or absence of supervisors, mentors, a syllabus and clear guidance within the context of the Higher Education Qualification Frameworks. Quantitative data was collected from Engineering National Diploma and B-Tech students in two universities in Gauteng and then captured and processed. Statistical analysis such as factor analysis, analysis of variance, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, Pearson chi-squared, the Bartlet test and others were carried out, using various standard tests. The study reveals the extent to which both students and lecturers appreciate WIL. The study also offers recommendations for the unique and on-going collaboration between industry and academic institutions for the purpose of the training of future technicians. In addition, it provides reasons for the possibility of a shorter work placement period provided certain preparations are made by the universities prior to placement. It highlights the need for clarity on the responsibilities of the role players involved and on assessment methods, and for the provision of a more specific, yet flexible, curriculum, while also recommending regular reflection on this component of learning. All of these points are discussed within the context of the Higher Education Qualification Framework in South Africa. This framework recommends that higher education institutions accept responsibility for WIL placement and for ensuring that programmes are properly structured and supervised. / Science and Technology Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Technology Education))

Work integrated learning (WIL) for the training of engineering technicians and technologists combines the theoretical learning of the fundamentals with their practical application in a real-world situation and environment. The activities in WIL are intended to provide students with specific learning outcomes in each engineering field of study, as well as with the general skills that are necessary for engineers in any field. The WIL learning outcomes are very specific and provide the student with the opportunity to practise and apply the fundamentals in an actual workplace. WIL includes various modalities such as problem-based learning, project-based learning and workplace learning. In this thesis, work integrated learning is referred to specifically as a period of work placement for engineering students. The other modalities of learning are usually included in all engineering qualifications. Thirty percent of the curriculum for the National Diploma engineering qualification in South Africa consists of work integrated learning, which translates into approximately 120 credits. WIL provides a valuable context for learning. However, there has been debate about the offering, placement, quality and supervision of it. This thesis investigates the various factors that may affect the offering of this component of learning in addition to ascertaining the importance of WIL in the training of technicians and technologists. This research comprises a survey conducted among engineering students as well as interviews with lecturers and supervisors directly involved in the implementation of the WIL component. The study investigates the format of WIL and its duration, the presence or absence of supervisors, mentors, a syllabus and clear guidance within the context of the Higher Education Qualification Frameworks. Quantitative data was collected from Engineering National Diploma and B-Tech students in two universities in Gauteng and then captured and processed. Statistical analysis such as factor analysis, analysis of variance, Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient, Pearson chi-squared, the Bartlet test and others were carried out, using various standard tests. The study reveals the extent to which both students and lecturers appreciate WIL. The study also offers recommendations for the unique and on-going collaboration between industry and academic institutions for the purpose of the training of future technicians. In addition, it provides reasons for the possibility of a shorter work placement period provided certain preparations are made by the universities prior to placement. It highlights the need for clarity on the responsibilities of the role players involved and on assessment methods, and for the provision of a more specific, yet flexible, curriculum, while also recommending regular reflection on this component of learning. All of these points are discussed within the context of the Higher Education Qualification Framework in South Africa. This framework recommends that higher education institutions accept responsibility for WIL placement and for ensuring that programmes are properly structured and supervised. / Science and Technology Education / D. Phil. (Mathematics, Science and Technology Education (Technology Education))