Work-based learning in Industrial Engineering

  • Nørgaard, Bente (Project Participant)
  • Nolan, Donal (Project Applicant)
  • Polman, Ton (Project Participant)
  • Schinner, Dieter (Project Participant)
  • Areskoug, Magnus (Project Participant)
  • Upanne, Ikka (Project Participant)

Project Details

Description

This project is designed to foster closer cooperation between the worlds of VET providers and industry, and will focus on adapting previous projects titled "Continuing Engineering Education as Work Based Learning" - (CEE as WBL), and Industrial Engineering Standards in Europe (IESE)into an education model that will bring the learning process directly into the workplace. The model will be called Work Based Learning in Industrial Engineering (WBL-IE) and is main objective will be is to create a sustainable framework for learning in a working environment. Moving the learning process closer to work place will also address some of the Skills Mismatch issues highlighted in the report "Skills Mismatch and the Role of Enterprise" (www.cedefop.europa.eu) produced by The European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training - Cedefop. The project will adapt a pedagogy for Work Based Learning developed by Aalborg University into a sustainable model (WBL-IE model) which will be pilot tested in 10 SME's (5 in Ireland + 1 in each partner country). The model will be designed to provide "tailor made" VET courses specific to the needs of the individual organization, while also incorporating the processes and procedures specified by National and European frameworks of qualifications. The consortium believes this aspect of the project is very important because the "learner" must be recognised and where relevant accredited for the work based training he/she receives.
The WBL-IE model will be adapted to deliver training on any subject that is specified by the organization, for the purpose of this project the consortium has decided to deliver a syllabus in the pilot process based on Method Study. The consortium for this project comprises of Universities and private organizations that already provide VET programmes in Method Study - which are delivered in a traditional format e.g. classroom etc. Therefore by using Method Study as the course material we can provide detailed evaluations between the results achieved against "learning outcomes" for learners that have been trained conventionally and those trained on the WBL-IE model.
The WBL-IE model will be adapted to conform to the guidelines set down in the EFQ and will be further adapted to conform to the requirements of 15 other EU countries National Qualification Frameworks. This will allow the consortium to invite other countries outside the project to join a WBL-IE network association which can share in the dissemination and exploitation process when the project has ended. One of the tangible outcomes of this project the consortium would like to develop is a WBL-IE association that will take ownership of the model once the project has finished. With the object of further developing it into an EU recognized model for the delivery of VET work based learning programmes. The model will also incorporate some mechanisms and processes for collecting inputs from industry and other sources, such as Cedefop.
AcronymWBL-IE
StatusFinished
Effective start/end date01/03/201428/02/2016

Collaborative partners

  • Institute of Industrial Engineers - Ireland (Project partner)
  • AEL (Project partner)
  • KTH Royal Institute of Technology (Project partner)
  • VOAA Netherlands (Project partner)
  • International Industrial Consult - IIC (Project partner)