The anatomy of successful work placement. Hayley Dalton Head of Vocational Design Pearson UK July 2018 1

The literature UK school leavers have had too few interactions with employers as part of their compulsory education phase. Work experience is just one of several types of employer engagement available, using the full range of activities is seen as best practice. One size does not fit all, some types of interaction work better depending on age and stage. Not all work experience should be about vocational skills acquisition; Developing personal effectiveness and careers guidance can be seen as an important outcome depending on a learner’s stage. Work placement at key stage 4 has declined considerably in the last ten years The Anatomy of Successful Work Placement

Work placement in context Learner Institutional resource and limitations Curriculum requirements and qualifications Staff skill set and motivation Local economics and labour market Characteristics of the occupation and employer motivation National policies The Anatomy of Successful Work Placement

Understanding the purpose of work placement: A starting point Age/stage Key purpose or drivers for the LEARNER Pedagogical/Sector Imperatives (e.g.) Short/med term outcomes Lower Secondary (Level 2) Social mobility, careers guidance Employability skills, personal effectiveness Selection of upper secondary course, avoidance of NEET Level 1 & Below Social mobility, personal development, remediation Social skills, personal effectiveness Sustained motivation, credentialisation of learning, avoidance of NEET Upper Secondary and Entry to Labour market (Level 2 & 3) Social mobility, educational attainment Sector skills, employability skills, licence to practise Motivation for further study/training, HE placement, Job acquisition The Anatomy of Successful Work Placement

Questions for awarding organisations How do we balance meaningful skills acquisition and person effectiveness in developing work placement opportunities in curriculum? What types of activities support valid employer engagement and how can qualifications support this? What are the indicators of successful placement? How is effective work placement best judged and by whom? If not ‘assessed’ how is work placement best recognised by qualifications (if at all)? The Anatomy of Successful Work Placement