A consultation meeting was organised by NCFHE on the 22ndSeptember regarding work-based learning and how to get such learning accredited.
There are many education and training courses which include a component of Work-based learning therefore NCFHE are finding ways to creating a set standard for such learning to get such teachings accredited. Work-based Learning refers to organised learning that takes place in workplaces. There
are different types of work-based learning, based on the location and conditions of learning that include the following:
- Schemes or apprenticeships: where learners spend a significant amount of time on training in companies;
- School-based training which includes on-the-job training periods in companies;
- Work-based learning integrated in a school-based programme, through on-site labs, workshops, kitchens, restaurants, practice firms, simulations or real business/industry assignments.
In the Maltese context and in view of a draft update to the Referencing Report, it is being recommended that there are a number of aspects that need to be respected for work-based learning to be accredited:
- Work-based learning can only be accredited if it is a component of a training course,
- Learning outcomes for work-based learning need to be specified,
- Learning outcomes for work-based learning are to be agreed by the training institution, the employer providing the work-experience and the student,
- There needs to be an element of supervision of the student at the workplace,
- The learning agreement should include the mode of assessment for work-based learning,
- Method of assigning credits to work-based learning is to be an equivalent of 1 hour of leaning for every 1.5 hours of work experience.
All above points were discussed during the consultation meeting and such feedback would be taken into consideration by NCFHE when updating the Referencing Report.