There are various forms of work-based learning or learning in the workplace, with the most crucial ones practiced during training through association institutions. These include training at the end of the learning phase, practical experience in the workplace, and vocational apprenticeship, starting from educational and vocational training institutions. These patterns are implemented through association institutions.
Work-based learning, within the mentioned patterns, is a form that integrates education and vocational training within educational institutions. It involves learning in the workplace in a systematic manner under the supervision of a skilled trainer in the workforce. The educational and vocational training institution oversees the process, using clear models, and selects the economic entity (workshop, company, or organization) where the training will take place based on clear criteria.
Importance of Work-Based Learning:
- Knowledge Application: Allows students to gain knowledge and translate it into practical applications, testing theoretical concepts in real-life situations.
- Exposure to Real Work Environment: Familiarizes students with the real work environment, enhancing their understanding.
- Engagement with the Job Market: Involves the job market in the learning process, keeping the educational institution informed of the latest developments.
- Improves Job Opportunities: Enhances graduates' chances of finding employment.
- Develops Professional Skills: Equips students with professional skills in the job market.
- Builds Life Skills: Instills life skills, communication mechanisms, teamwork, and problem-solving in a work environment.
- Establishes Socially Recognized Behavioral Attitudes: Develops socially recognized behavioral attitudes to ensure success in their future careers.
- Cultivates Professional Work Habits: Instills professional work habits beneficial for their future careers.
- Instills Professional Values: Fosters professional values and ethical standards through practical experience and professional self-development.
- Practical Experience for Future Employment: Provides students with practical experience that helps them secure future employment or practice their skills as they envision.
Most importantly, work-based learning occurs under the supervision of the training institution, offering students a significant opportunity to address challenges related to entering the job market.
The aim of work-based learning is to provide students with the necessary knowledge, experiences, and skills to practice the professions they have learned within the walls of vocational schools. It helps them translate theoretical methods learned in classrooms into practical approaches that contribute to solving customer and community problems.
The program requires:
- Clear Selection Criteria: Clear criteria for selecting companies and workshops for training.
- Official Contracts: Official contracts signed by the training institution, the training company, the student, and their parents.
- Collaboration with the Job Market: Collaboration between the educational/training institution and the job market before the training process. The training institution and the job market supervise and monitor the training process.
- Effective Monitoring and Evaluation Mechanisms: Effective monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to measure student performance, including enhancing and developing daily records.
In summary, field training, which is an integral part of work-based learning, is:
- An Educational Process: Built on scientific, educational, and supervisory foundations.
- Aims for Professional and Personal Growth: Achieves professional and personal growth for trainees by imparting field experiences, technical skills, and personal traits.
- Structured Training Approach: Conducted through a clear training approach, ensuring each participant understands their role and responsibilities.
- Requires Continuous Supervision: Demands continuous supervision to ensure the achievement of its objectives.