Student Work Readiness in Australian Engineering Workplaces through Work Integrated Learning

Autor/inn/en	Mandal, Nirmal Kumar; Edwards, Francis Robert
Titel	Student Work Readiness in Australian Engineering Workplaces through Work Integrated Learning
Quelle	In: Higher Education, Skills and Work-based Learning, 12 (2022) 1, S.145-161 (17 Seiten) PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Mandal, Nirmal Kumar)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	2042-3896
DOI	10.1108/HESWBL-02-2021-0025
Schlagwörter	Career Readiness; Foreign Countries; Engineering Education; Experiential Learning; School Business Relationship; Outcomes of Education; Competence; Student Evaluation; Student Attitudes; College Students; Australia + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Ausland; Ingenieurausbildung; Experiental learning; Erfahrungsorientiertes Lernen; Lernleistung; Schulerfolg; Kompetenz; Schulnote; Studentische Bewertung; Schülerverhalten; Collegestudent; Australien
Abstract	Purpose: As part of the Co-Operative Education Program (CEP) under study, a Work-integrated Learning (WIL) student engagement framework is presented. The framework focusses on the effectiveness of the WIL program with real-world assessment tasks to prepare students for graduate employment. In order to evaluate the level at which the engineering graduates are work-ready, an analysis of qualitative and quantitative survey data from CQU students, employers and data from other sources was undertaken. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach: WIL is an effective pedagogical strategy employed in engineering curriculum to engage students with workplace partners and engineering practices. However, little is known about the problems exist in the WIL processes including insufficient resources and support for mentoring students. On overcoming the problems, an effective collaboration between students, universities and engineering workplaces provides an enhanced engagement experience and enables students' work-ready skills. Central Queensland University (CQU)'s Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) and Diploma of Professional Practice (Co-op) students participate in two 6-month WIL placements over the course of their university studies. Findings: To identify the impact of the co-operative education model on graduate outcomes, an analysis of student assessment data from 2016 to 2018 showed that the student employability indicators were consistently above the national average of graduate engineering students. All areas such as knowledge base, engineering ability and professional attributes, students' performance were rated at or above the average of a graduate engineer by employers. Originality/value: As part of practice assessment, engineering workplace employers provide an evaluation of students' performance against the Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers, involving sixteen mandatory elements in the areas of knowledge and skill base, engineering application ability, and professional and personal attributes. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01