Practical Placements & the QAA and ASET

Guidelines

By

Ian Sunley & Lorna UdenFaculty of Computing, Engineering &

Technology,

Staffordshire University, UK

Who are QAA & ASET

QAA is the UK government department the ensures quality and standards in Higher Education in the UK. Its section 9 of the standard ‘Quality Standards for Work Related Learning and Placements. [Revised Sept 2007]

ASET is Association For Sandwich Education & Training. Most Universities are members. Looking at ASET Guidelines for Placements 2001.

Why QAA & ASET?

Because to get these guidelines both organisation have consulted both academia and industry widely.

Their reports are an accumulation of lots of knowledge.

QAA - The Precepts, 1 - 2 1 Where work-based or placement learning is part of

a programme of study, awarding institutions ensure that the learning outcomes are: Clearly identified Contribute to the overall and coherent aims of the

programme Are assessed properly

2 Awarding institutions are responsible for the academic standards of their awards and the quality provision leading to them, and have in place policies and procedures to ensure that their responsibilities, and those of their partners involved in work-based and placement learning, are clearly identified and met.

QAA - The Precepts, 3 - 5

3 Awarding Institutions ensure that all partners providing work-based and placement learning opportunities are fully aware of their related and specific responsibilities, and that thelearning opportunities provide by them are appropriate

4 Awarding institutions inform students of their specific responsibilities and entitlements related to their work-based and placement learning.

5 Awarding institutions provide students with appropriate and timely information, support and guidance prior to, throughout and following their work-based and placement learning.

QAA - The Precepts, 6 - 7 6 Awarding institutions ensure that work-based and

learning partners are provided with appropriate and timely information, support and guidance prior to, throughout and following their work-based and placement learning.

7 Awarding Institutions ensure that: Their staff involved in work-based and placement learning are

appropriately qualified , resourced and competent to fulfil their role.

Where applicable, other educational providers, work-based and placement learning partners have effective measures in place to monitor and assure the proficiency of their staff involved in the support of the relevant work-based and placement learning

QAA - The Precepts, 8.

8 Awarding Institutions have policies and procedures for securing, monitoring, administering and reviewing work-based and placement learning that are effective and reviewed regularly.

ASET Divide into 3 sections each with3 criteria University

Before placement During Placement After Placement

Student Before placement During Placement After Placement

Employer Before placement During Placement After Placement

What we do.The University - Before

Each of the computing awards have a set of learning outcomes which are assessed by Pass/Fail. This is because they incorporate an employer element.

Placement is optional in the first year but compulsory after week 2 of the second year if the student hasn’t chosen a non placement route.

All students still have an exceptional circumstances route to come off the placement route if there is a valid reason.

Every second year computing student must attend a Professional and Enterprise module covering CV writing, presentation skills and commercial and ethical issues.

What we do.The University - Before

All students have to have a completed CV which they must get approved by placements before they can start applying.

Students have they option of interview training if they wish, with our careers unit.

All the jobs on the website have to be approved by the placement academic, if the student finds his own this is also approved with checks including validity and health & safety

What we do.The University - During

Allocates an industrial tutor who is the link between University and company. Acts as ‘friend’ of student in event of a dispute with the employer. Very rare.

Also acts as students personal tutor and supports them in their choices for final year.

The tutor also gives his mark on the placement and also on the students report.

We try and keep the same tutor at a company for several years in order to build up a relationship with a company.

What we do.The University - After

Has the report marked. Has a questionaire for students to give their

opinion on the placement. Offers a Sandwich degree if the placement is

passed and an international degree if the placement is abroad.

What we doThe Student - Before

Attend and pass the PED module. Get their CV prepared by visiting the placements

office. Look regularly at the web site and apply for

placements both through the university placements unit and directly themselves.

Turn up for interviews and accept a job when offered. If a student has 2 offers in a couple of days then he is lucky to have a choice.

If a student has found his own placement get it approved.

Once accepting a placement stop looking.

What we doThe Student - During

Attend the company on time. (difficult for a few)

The student is part of the company so should fit in with the rules, act professionally and work & learn.

Try and act as a team member and work with the group.

Enjoy it.

What we doThe Student - End

Write the report. Use the placement if possible as a source for

final year project. Fill in the questionnaire to help other students

get a better experience. Help placements support the next years

students if asked, particularly to give support to new placement students.

What we doThe Employer - Before

Specify their requirements on a job template together with salary.

Respond fairly quickly to lists of students CVs that they have received.

Make decisions quickly after interview and where possible give feedback about unsuccessful so the placement unit can support the student

Understand that these are students not full professionals.

What we doThe Employer - During

Obey the employment and Health & Safety laws and treat the student as any other employee.

Give the student useful and relevant work which is challenging. ‘A bored student is a mischievous student’

Cooperate with the industrial tutor when he visits. Cooperate with the university and tutor if there are

problems with the student. Mark Fairly 25% companies employ the students who were on

placement with them again on graduation.

What we doThe Employer - After

Give the student a valid work reference as it helps the student get his first appointment.

Take further students if it works as the students learn so much.

Any Questions

Please?