T Level work placements

For the last six months, I have been researching workplace learning. T levels (technical qualifications) require learners to complete a work placement. So far, all the learners I have spoken with are experiencing work for the first time; the contexts vary, such as large or small employers. Where providers and employers plan arrangements well, these experiences can positively impact learners’ outlook for their future. I am looking mainly at those activities they experience and participate in during this period to help them build a picture and understanding of the world of work. Typically, these are activities that are hard to quantify in terms of the extent of the benefit. I am delving deeply into the work of Etienne Wenger and Jean Lave (1991) on learning in the workplace, known as Situated Learning Theory. Meeting and talking with teachers, learners, and employers about the topic has been rewarding. Every day, the experiences that learners build up from those around them in their work community and in the activities that they participate in provide a valuable catalyst for widening their horizons.