Work related learning is defined as:
- A planned activity that uses the context of work to develop knowledge,
- Skills and understanding that are useful in work, including learning through the experience of work, learning about work and working practices, and
- Learning the skills for work.
A statutory requirement that all young people should experience some work related learning at key stage 4 was introduced in September 2004. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) produced guidance for the implementation of this requirement including a framework of nine elements of provision. QCA has a section on its website dedicated to work-related learning where case studies can be found.
There are links between Enterprise Learning and work related learning specifically to three of the nine elements of the framework. As part of Bury's Enterprise Learning Pathfinder, schools carried out an audit of work-related learning using the QCA audit toolkit along with some additional materials. Findings from the audit were collated and published in March 2005. Schools have used the audits in a variety of ways including as a benchmark against which to judge progress. Here is a copy of the summary document Audit of Provision in Bury Schools 2004 (104kb, 23-page pdf).
Schools may find that the work-related learning policy framework (266kb, 4-page pdf) and template (26kb, 3-page pdf) helpful in planning provision.
Useful external websites:
