PEOPLE FOCUS - CIPD

LEARNING
PEOPLE FOCUS
Work-Based Learning:
Graduating Through the Workplace
A new report on work-based learning recently launched in Cork by CIPD Director,
Michael McDonnell, attracted employers from approximately one hundred companies in
the Southern region. The report is written by Dr Margaret Linehan, Cork Institute of
Technology on behalf of the Education in Employment project which is funded through
the Higher Education Authority’s Strategic Innovation Fund. The Education in
Employment project is focused on the learning needs of those already in the workforce.
The work-base learning sub-group of the project is a Cork Institute of Technology-led
consortium comprising Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Institute of Technology,
Dundalk Institute of Technology, Letterkenny Institute of Technology, Institute of
Technology Sligo, and University College Cork.
The report contextualises work-based
learning by including an extensive review
of the extant literature on work-based
learning. One of the key messages
arising from the literature search was
that defining work-based learning is
recognised as highly problematic. This
report, however, considers work-based
learning to be learning at a higher
education level and which largely takes
place at and through work, not only to
meet individual learning and
development aspirations but also to serve
the performance objectives of an
organisation. This suggests that workbased
learning depends on three
interrelated components: (i) the
individual; (ii) the organisation; and (iii)
the academic institution.
Pictured at the launch of a report on Work-base learning are: Dr Brendan Murphy,
President, Cork Institute of Technology; Irene Sheridan, Head, Strategic Innovation Funds
Project Unit, Cork Institute of Technology; Dr Margaret Linehan, Author of Report; Michael
McDonnell, Director, CIPD Ireland.
The report focuses on three main
outcomes:
• Audit of Courses: A summary of 433
courses which offer elements of workbased
learning in partner third-level
institutions. Overall, the findings reveal
that third-level institutions are still
using the traditional classroom mode
of delivery and are slow to embrace
e-learning. The findings also highlight
that for the successful operation of
work-based learning programmes,
there is scope for developing further
employer engagement with higher
education institutes in the design,
development, implementation, and
delivery of such programmes.
• Academic and Industry
Partnerships: The report highlights
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the benefits which may be gained from
such partnerships, and illustrates some
of the current partnerships which have
been set up as part of this project.
• Individual Learning Plans: The
benefits of individual learning plans
for both learners and organisations
are outlined. The report illustrates
how such plans have been piloted in
partner institutions.
The report proposes that work-based
learning is becoming increasingly
important (i) for organisations
needing professional development to
create dynamic, flexible workforces,
and (ii) to higher education
institutions, recognising the workplace
as a legitimate and fundamental site
of learning. In summary, the report
recognises that an attitudinal and cultural
shift must be engaged with to overcome
the traditional reliance on classroombased
programmes in order to
successfully develop new future workbased
learning programmes.
Speaking at the launch, Mr McDonnell
warmly welcomed this timely report and
recommended employers to introduce
individual learning plans in their
organisations for continuous professional
development of their employees.
Mr McDonnell also invited further
participation between the CIPD and
the Education in Employment
consortium in order to gain further
recognition for learning achieved in
the workplace ■