Developing Business Practice – 302LON

Overview of the Work Experience Module

Unit: 9

By the end of the sessions students will:

• Review the employability skills that current UK employer’s value

• Gain an overview of their work experience module and its benefits

• Be aware of the standards and activities required to participate in the module

Module Learning Outcomes

• About Employability

• Module options

• Benefits of this module

• Employers

• Support

• Your preparation & standards

• Your assessment

A set of attributes, skills and knowledge that all labour market participants should possess to ensure they have the capability of being effective in the workplace – to the benefit of themselves, their employer and the wider economy.

CBI – Future Fit (2009)

Employability

• 77% of employers say Employability skills are the most important factor when recruiting graduates

• 46% dissatisfied with graduates’ business and customer awareness

• 26% unhappy with graduates’ time management skills

• 24% unhappy with graduates’ problem solving skills CBI/EDI – Ready to Grow (2010)

Employability & Employers

Working in pairs with the person next to you, identify and discuss the skills you think employers have highlighted as key Employability skills.

Be prepared to share your thoughts with the class

Pairs Exercise

• Self-management• Team working• Business and customer awareness• Problem solving• Communication and literacy• Numeracy• Application of information CBI Future Fit (2009)

Employability Skills

• Workplace – onsite with an employer• Work based – online work based simulation

project

• Within term 3 Starts Monday 16th May 2011 to Friday 17th

June 2011• 1 week preparation• 2 weeks work experience• 2 weeks reflection and presentations

Module Options

As a group - identify and discuss the benefits of completing a workplace or work based project.

Be prepared to discuss your thoughts with the class

Benefits

• Helps develop your employability skills • Enhances your CV • Helps ease your transition into the business world • Provides you with a ‘hands-on’ opportunity to

understand how a business works• Demonstrates your interest in a sector or type of

work • Increases your networking opportunities• Helps develop your research & business writing skills

Benefits

• Range of ‘blue-chip’, City based employers, including:

Consultancy

Legal

Investment/Finance

Technology

Not-for-Profit

Government Agency

• Based in London or the South East

Employers who are participating

• During this module you will receive support from a number of areas:

Online via Moodle

Host Employer Mentor

Employability Team

Academic Tutor

• Additional Workshops in term 2

Preparing a winning CV

Interview Preparation 

Interview Techniques & Performance

Available Support

• Successful completion of all Top-Up course modules – confirmed by Academic Tutor

• Preparation and participation in all seminars, group activity, class discussions/debates – confirmed by Academic Tutor

• At least 80% module attendance – confirmed by Academic Tutor/Student Services

Required Standards

In addition students must ensure that from their DBP programme modules they:

• Create a ‘work ready’ CV (MS Word or PDF)      

• Create a ‘work ready’ job search/work placement cover letter (MS Word)    

• Successfully complete at least one assessed Group Presentation during their studies     

•  In term 2 - attend a Health & Safety Workshop (mandatory for workplace project only)        

Required Student Activity

• Your personal SWOT

• Review of Skills Assessment Matrix

• Completion of a Learning Agreement & Plan with SMART objectives (Agreed by the student, host employer and tutor)

• Set-up workplace log/activity diary

All available on the Moodle module

Required Preparation for a workplace project

• Work with your tutor for an introduction to the online Business Simulation Project

• Review and set your SMART objectives for your work

• SWOT & skills self assessment to identify any additional needs

• Set up an log/activity diary

All available on the Moodle module

Required Preparation for a work based project

• Student decides on their preferred module option

• Tutor reviews required standards to confirm eligibility

• Student undertakes all required activity (CV etc)

• Student undertakes all required preparation (SWOT etc)

• Student is assigned a work placement or an online business simulation project

• Student completes 2 weeks work project

• Student reviews experience, prepares assignment & presents to peers & tutor

The Process

• Assessment Criteria Project Report

60%

Reflective Diary40%

• Employer feedback

• Tutor and peer feedback (presentations)

• Assessment criteria on Moodle

Assessment of work experience module

• Look out for the module on Moodle – arriving in Jan 2011

• Ensure you familiarise yourself with key deadline dates

• Review and respond to email updates and announcements from Moodle to your university email

• Attend required/requested workshops – booked via Moodle

• Any questions & queries contact employability@culc.coventry.ac.uk

Next Steps

Working in groups, discuss ALL the activity, planning or preparation you need to do to prepare for your work experience module.

In addition, highlight anything you SHOULD NOT do before or during your work experience.

Choose 2 group members to present your thoughts and findings to the class using the flip chart.

Group Exercise

Personal profile/hello

Current CV

Set-up a placement log/diary

Plan travel

Carry out personal SWOT

Work Experience

Web research

on the company

Learning plan &

objectives

Personal presentation

& dress

Develop a list of questions

linked to your assignment

Important contact

numbers

Planning & Preparation

DO NOT...

Take time off/breaks/turn up late (without agreement from employer)

Spend time on social networking sites/your mobile

Ask for a job/money

Use office equipment/facilities with out permission

DO...

Behave professionally at all times

Treat everyone equally regardless of race, age, position

Ask relevant questions – think before you speak

Ask for work/tasks if you are not busy – use your initiative

Show interest enthusiasm

Network & build relationships – be friendly & receptive but not pushy

Be realistic – you won’t get to see/do everything!