Considering Workplace Exposure

1. Considering Workplace Exposure Initial findings from the Construction CIP

2. Workplace Rationale for offering Students Opportunities for Workplace Exposure • There was a very high level of buy-in from Senior Management who requested that their workplaces participate in the programme • Some of the workplaces indicated that they hoped that through their involvement in the programme they would be able to find potential employees • Some workplaces had specific roles in mind which they believed that the students would be able to assist with.

3. Activities that were undertaken by students at the Workplace • Induction: All companies provided Site Safety & Health and Environmental Issues and in some cases companies also included an orientation to civil engineering & in other cases an introduction to the specific procedures of the company • Some companies provided practical training in areas such as: Formwork & scaffolding, Bricklaying, Reading & Interpreting of drawings, Setting out Buildings, Using spirit levels, Erecting & Dismantling of scaffolding, Concrete wall construction, Plastering, Concrete Mixing & Carpentry. • Some companies involved students in practical work: assisting a shutter-hand; cutting concrete with the team leader, using the concrete vibrator, performing levelling, lining of pipes; repairing doors & shutter boards, doing repair work on ceilings, quality assurance related activities & “working alongside the foremen doing this and that they were happy with that.”

4. Workplace Perception of the Learners • A few companies stated that they had requested students with particular skills and indicated that were comfortable that the students that they received had the skills that they had asked for (good match) • Many supervisors said that the learners had the appropriate attitudes and many commented that the students were willing to work as a team • Supervisors observed that those students that had previous work experience were much more prepared for the workplace than they had been in the previous year • While many supervisors said learners had theoretical knowledge but insufficient practical skills, they indicated that this was dealt with in terms of supervision arrangements (that is students could undertake practical work if shown what to do and if properly supervised)

5. Workplaces perceptions of the effect of the workplace exposure on Learners • Some students emerged with certificates where they had participated in practical training • Supervisors stated that the students learned a lot about how to conduct themselves at the workplace, comments included: “They learned supervision skills and an ability to carry out a task without someone on your back. They also learned how to work in a team and blended well with the other workers.” “The students get the skills and quality training in areas that the theory does not cover”. “They get skills and experience on site especially practical technical skills as well as working in a team”.

6. Workplace perceptions on the Relationship between themselves and the colleges • Many workplaces were not aware that there was a provider or that students were undertaking the NCV (they only knew that they were students) • Workplaces were not clear as to what they could expect of the learners or what was expected of them during the workplace exposure • Workplaces primarily related to their head offices in terms of the logistics of the workplace exposure (though a few had FET lecturers who were also placed with them but this appears to have been treated as a separate programmes)

7. Workplace Perception on Future Involvement in the Programme • Workplaces were generally positive about future involvement in the programme • They suggested though that the programme could be improved if they had more information and guidance • Critically a number of the companies suggested that they would be willing to either offer apprenticeships to students or even to consider the employment of some of the students (and a number of supervisors stated that they have already identified students for future options)