Curriculum requirements
The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) have developed a work-related learning guidance framework which consists of nine elements. Students must:
- Recognise, develop and apply their skills for enterprise and employability
- Use their experience of work, including work experience and part-time jobs, to extend their understanding of work
- Learn about the way business enterprises operate, working roles and conditions, and rights and responsibilities in the work place
- Develop awareness of the extent and diversity of local and national employment opportunities
- Relate their own abilities, attributes and achievements to career intentions and make informed choices based on an understanding of the alternatives
- Undertake tasks and activities set in work contexts
- Learn from contact with personnel from different employment sectors
- Have experience (direct or indirect) of working practices and environments
- Engage with ideas, challenges and applications from the business world.
Work-related learning delivery methods can achieve at least one of these elements, often more. For example, a work experience placement can allow a student to complete all nine elements:
| Work Experience Activity | Elements Met |
|---|---|
| Pre-placement interview | 1 and 5 |
| Carrying out work-based tasks | 6, 7, 8 and 9 |
| Recording information in their work placement diary/log book | 2 |
| Attending a Health and Safety induction | 3 and 8 |
| Talking to and interviewing employees | 4 and 7 |
| Writing a report on their experiences which could be linked to GCSE coursework | 2, 6 and 9 |
| Update CVs with new skills and experience | 1 and 5 |