Supporting employers in providing quality work placementsStrategies for developing quality work experiences through supporting providers of PSP student placements

Placements in PSP

•Non-vocational courses•Recent accreditation flexibility allowed potential for work placements

•2nd Semester of 2nd Year – Placement, Venture Matrix or 10 credit PD modules

•Placement comprises: 200 hours (25 hours over 8 weeks, locally agreed between student and placement)

•Organisation needs to: allocate a supervisor, set work tasks and terms for employment, complete an ‘employers report’ (Appraisal type document)

Placement experiences

Two years in…..Gathered extra information, students & employers

• Employers are impressed by our students• Students are generally very happy with placements• Making links between work and discipline sometimes difficult• Employers lack awareness of links to discipline• Employers want to benefit from and help develop student skills but

not sure which skills or how• Employers didn’t always feel ‘ready’ for their students• Projects/work tasks not clearly identified• Student under/overburdened

Retaining and revising

What have we learned…..

Placements are workingStudents and employers appreciate themWork areas offered are appropriate Established strong partner networks

Employers need supportIdentify work that will benefit the organisationUnderstanding the skills students will bringWhat work will develop students skillsHow to relate this to students’ disciplines

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Placement celebration

Employer contact with PSP Student contact with PSP

Points of contact in previous years

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Departmental celebration

Employer contact with PSP Student contact with PSP

Points of contact for next academic year

New points of contact with employers

Anticipated outcomes

•Better quality placements•More skills development in students•Greater retention of placement providers•Easier recruitment of providers•Improve partnership working in other areas

Thank you for listening

Questions

Discussion – sharing best practice