Providing work placement opportunities in partnership with Higher Education
Information about the school/provider/institution
In January 2012 Rathbone Training joined NCG, one of the largest providers of education, training and employability skills training in UK. Rathbone primarily provides programmes of education and work-related training to young people aged 14-25 across the UK.
Rathbone has adopted the mission and objectives of NCG. The objects of the charity are delivered within this framework. Our mission is “to develop people through learning and achievement for the benefit of themselves, society and the economy”. The main activity of the organisation is to transform the lives of young people through skills development, education and employment.
Cardiff University is the 12th largest university in the UK in terms of students with total numbers for 2013/14 of 28,540. The University is split over two sites: the Cathays Park campus and the Heath Park campus. The Cathays Park campus is home to the majority of the University’s Academic Schools which share a 53 acre site with the University Hospital Wales, a 900-bed hospital which is one of the largest in the UK. Progressive healthcare education and patient care integrate with world-famous research facilities to make this a major teaching and research centre.
For the academic year 2013/14, the estimated income from research contracts was £460M. The University was ranked 5th amongst UK universities in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework (REF) based on quality and 2nd based on impact. Cardiff University is a member of the Russell Group, a group of 24 leading UK research intensive universities, and the only Russell Group University in Wales.
Cardiff University strategic plan (2009/10 – 2013/14) refers to the creation of an inspiring and enriching educational experience for its students who, as a result, will be recognised and well-regarded by employers and professional bodies. At the same time, the University will in achieving this goal act as a catalyst for enhancing the economic and social development of Wales and the UK.
Cardiff University wishes to engage and share best practice such as its partnership working with Rathbone Cymru.
Context and background to sector-leading practice
The University and Rathbone both value the importance of experiencing work placements to consolidate learning and educate in skills required to succeed in sustainable employment. This led to the creation of a programme that is mutually beneficial for the learners of both organisations through collaboration.
There are two key areas: Providing student placements & development of the social research opportunity
Rathbone and the University (Cardiff School of Social Sciences) run a student placement opportunity. This is an optional module as part of the second year degree programme titled Working Knowledge: Analysing and Experiencing Employment (with Placement). Students gain credits for participating and it counts as part of their degree. Students attend lectures and seminars in the autumn semester (September to December) and attend a work placement in the spring semester (January to April). Students complet a minimum number of hours on placement but the duration is determined by the nature of the project. Students are able to negotiate their hours of attendance with the host organisation, in this case Rathbone. The content of the project (placement/internship) provides a meaningful learning experience for the student, clearly defined with an agreed work plan from the outset. Cardiff University students are supported by Rathbone in real work placement situations. A number of students access the opportunity and are able to support some of Rathbones learners who have complex needs in addition to gaining valuable real life extended workplace experiences. The university students also gain experience in event management by supporting the Rathbone Achievement Awards Cermony hosted at Cardiff University.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
There are clear and embedded protocols and procedures for work placement activity and a partnership agreement between the university and Rathbone Cymru.
Cardiff university students’ research reports have been used to develop impact assessment and identify future research needs within Rathbone Cymru. Against this background, Cardiff School of Social Sciences has created and validated a new degree programme – B.Sc. Social Analytics – in the knowledge and confidence that Rathbone Cymru can support students with the external elements and academic requirements of the new module, Real World Research (with placement). The module is designed to give students (or teams of students) the opportunity to consolidate their research methods training through practical experience in the design, preparation and execution of a research project in collaboration with an external organisation. This requires close supervision from university staff to ensure the academic criteria are achieved but also close support from Rathbone Cymru staff with day-to-day operational issues. Partnership working and collaboration are key to the success of the programme.
Cardiff University students are matched to an appropriate external host organisation at the start of the academic year and spend the autumn semester working with the organisation to produce a research design schedule which they then execute in a fieldwork setting or via secondary data analysis in the Spring semester.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
The collaboration to date has enabled both organisations’ learners to better understand each others challenges and barriers to progression, including breaking down stereotypes and improving cohesion.
Rathbone learners have seen a clear route into Higher Education and University students have gained real work experience in all aspects of a multi site, national organisation.
Cardiff University students gain from the application of academic theory into real world research practice. The University has identified the following attributes as important in the development of an employable graduate (UUK/CBI, 2009): self-management; team working; business and commercial awareness; problem solving; communication and literacy; application of numeracy; and application of IT. This new innovative module embeds these skills within a programmes of study. Opportunities are focussed on reflective practice, encourage resilience, expose students to unfamiliar settings and help students make meaning of a range of situations beyond the classroom. All of these enhance the student experience.
How have you shared your good practice?
The Rathbone Divisional Director and University Staff have given a number of presentations to various partners to expand both projects.
Senior staff meet regularly to discuss learners progress and programme development.
Rathbone has worked closely with the University to develop and expand the number of work placement opportunities for a new innovative credit-bearing modules and the marketing of new degree programmes. The Director for Wales, Rathbone, has worked in collaboration with the Deputy Director of the Q-Step initiative and Cardiff School of Social Sciences Placements Manager to identify and propose practical and innovative solutions to promote and market these programmes. This has included attending presentation evenings, marketing events and formal dinners.