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Project ID:

EDUC101

Work Integrated Learning: Building the Future with Professional Apprenticeship

Project Title:

Category:

Education

Inventors:

Ow Mun Waei, Phuah Kit Teng, Khoong Tai Wai

Institution/Company:

Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology

Invention Description/ Abstract:

Employers' and industry practitioners' increasing demand for work-integrated learning (WIL) has had an impact on the delivery of education and training to students. The majority of higher education institutions use WIL as a method of course delivery. WIL is an educational approach that combines students' academic experiences with real-life work experiences to improve their knowledge, skills, and employability. WIL strategies promote career exploration and assist students in developing competencies such as positive work attitudes, technical and employability skills. Furthermore, WIL assists in the development of partnerships with employers in order to facilitate successful WIL opportunities for students. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to investigate experiential learning opportunities in which students apply classroom knowledge through actual practise. This is supported by data from 190 students who participated in 14-week industry projects with seven companies. Because the students were well-prepared, the industry projects were a success, and both parties gained valuable experience. Students were able to deliver an industry-compatible project, and the employer decided to implement the ideas without hesitation. WIL had given students knowledge and problem-solving skills related to a specific occupation or industry, as well as a better understanding of workplace culture and professionalism. Employers were so impressed with the students' performance that some of them were immediately offered internship positions. Following the completion of this project, the students' employability, confidence, and ability to think on their feet improved.

Invention Technical Description

Employers highlighted the "skill gaps" among recent graduates, stating that the young graduates lack the necessary "soft skills" to thrive in the workplace. Students struggle to understand the current industry trends and the skills needed from a graduate. On the other hand, some companies also struggle to solve company problems. Therefore, several institutions of higher education have implemented work-integrated learning (WIL) with the aim of strengthening the student experience in order to solve these deficiencies and better prepare new graduates for the future. WIL is defined as a curriculum that facilitates the transformation of a student's professionalism and work ethic by extending the boundaries of the university and incorporating inputs from external institutions (Ferns, Campbell & Zegwaard, 2014). This signifies that the education curriculum will blend the student's experience and knowledge with real-world working exposure in pursuit of illuminating the learner. The objective for this project is emphasize on using student-centred learning (SCL) and outcome-based learning, support WIL as an explicit strategy for enhancing the skills of our undergraduate students (OBL). This project can help students to establish collaboration with prospective employers and industry partners, increase students' access to job prospects and experiential learning experiences, ensure that students acquire values and skills, including positive work attitudes,technical and employability skills, among others, provide students with guidance so they have more possibilities in the modern economy. By using Barnett (2006) Professional Knowledge system in a WIL approach, lecturer carefully select suitable employers and get some industry problems for student to brainstorm. At the end of the whole course, students will presents their market insight and provide solutions to students while employers can provide guest lectures and case study to the students. In return, employers can also employ the students to work in their company, students are able to develop complex skills, learn many technological resources and digital supports such as BB, M-learning, Showme App, Zoom and SPSS. The potential comercialization are such as students able to help company to design mobile app and do some rebranding advertising. In conclusion, it is indisputable that the work-integrated learning experience can bring benefits to key stakeholders such as higher education institutions, students, employers.

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