Work Based Learning as an Integrated Curriculum: Partnership Development and Delivery by Higher Education and the Labour Market

Work Based Learning (WBL) as an Integrated Curriculum is a 2 year international research project aimed at identifying best practice in work/practice relevant learning in higher education settings.

WBL is seen as one of the key factors in improving the match between graduate skills and employers’ needs. This is a challenge which HE curricula must respond to in today’s economic climate to realise the aspiration set out in the strategic framework for European co-operation in education and training. The project connected with the interests of various groups including higher education institutions, institutional stakeholders, students, employers and employers’ associations. Key outputs include:

• The development of Case Studies and Good Practice Guidelines for higher education institutions, stakeholders responsible for curriculum development and employers and employers’ associations.
• Testing of the resources in mini-conferences in three partner institutions, reflecting different systemic backgrounds.
• Dissemination and distribution of work-related curricula and the integration of work based learning into Higher Education through professional networks as well as national and international partnerships.

3s acted as core partner of the project, which was coordinated by Leeds Metropolitan University (UK). It includes eight partner organisations from seven different European countries: Austria, Czech Republic, Finland, Germany, Poland, Spain and the United Kingdom.

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.