Work-based learning (part II) – top 7 tips to get the most out of your employees

This is the second of two articles on work-based learning. If you haven't read the first article in this series you can do so by visiting Work-based learning (part I) – move up the job ladder with these top nine tips.

More and more, work-based learning is being seen as one of the most effective ways you can introduce adult learning to employees and provide new starters with valuable employability skills. Workplace learning is where someone completes a qualification almost entirely in a working environment meaning they can apply the skills they learn, both in classes and from colleagues and managers, as part of their everyday work. This can be a good way for you to help existing employees develop their employability skills and career prospects without losing them to a full-time course. This article will look at the best ways for you to reap the benefits of introducing a work-based learning programme in your own company.

Improving staff employment skills through workplace learning

Implementing a work-based learning programme can be beneficial for all involved. By introducing an adult learning programme, whether for new inductees or existing staff, you can help develop the skills base of your team, increasing productivity and leading to more business success. Providing the option of different learning styles like workplace learning, beyond the standard chalk-and-talk classroom model, gives your staff flexibility in their training which can also make retention easier, especially for those looking to take a big step forward in their career. Improved employability skills mean better equipped staff who are better able to do their jobs, making them more successful and improving the performance of the company overall.

Top tips for employers to get the most from workplace learning

1. Build local partnerships: develop a standing relationship with a local college/university to provide a single course and work placement programme.  One of the best ways to implement a work-based learning programme in your business is to develop a relationship with a local adult learning facility. Workplace learning works best as a partnership and a continuing relationship ensures the process runs smoothly. It can also encourage those looking for a programme to apply to you, as offering both a course and place of work together makes the overall package more appealing.
2. Provide new opportunities: provide those on a programme with the opportunity to develop their skills by getting involved in diverse and challenging projects. Those on a work-based learning programme are looking to improve their employment skills. For you to get the most out of them you have to offer them the chance to develop. Plan ahead with projects you'd like them to complete and be aware of any options in the office which might be appropriate. By letting them improve their employability skills you'll have a committed worker eager to produce quality work for you.
3. Communicate benefits clearly: from the start, make it clear what their development path within the company can be and what steps they need to achieve to move up. Giving a personal development plan to those on a training programme shows them from the start what the rewards for hard work and commitment are. They're on a course because they want to improve their employment skills and build their career prospects so showing them how to do so from the beginning will be a big motivating factor.
4. Promote understanding of the company: Beyond their basic work, make sure they have an understanding of how the business works as a whole and where their role fits into that model. To get the most from your people it's important to introduce them to all aspects of the business. Whether they're new starters or those already on your team, they will benefit from a proper understanding of how your business works and in turn you will benefit from their improved knowledge. This also helps save time when looking to offer them opportunities with other teams.
5. Develop a mentoring scheme: arrange for a colleague who will be working closely with them to act as a mentor beyond the normal chain of management. A key part of a successful work-based learning programme is providing different learning styles for those involved. They will have classroom learning on their course and on-the-job training as part of their work so offering them the chance to work with an experienced individual beyond that will be a real added benefit and help them improve their performance.
6. Bring them in to the fold: include them as part of the team and be sure to treat them as fellow colleagues rather than temporary staff looking for experience.  Although in an adult learning programme, those involved in workplace learning will spend most of their time on the job. But because they are students there may be a temptation to consider them in the same bracket as those on a work experience or work shadowing programme. To get the best from workplace learning it's important you recognised them as fellow colleagues. Making them feel included and part of the team will ensure they are committed to the organisation's goals.
7. Be open to new ideas: take advantage of the different perspectives they can offer and remember they will be able to provide a unique perspective to problems from the rest of your staff. It can be very tempting to think you have nothing to learn from those on work-based learning programmes, but this would be a big mistake. They're coming from a different environment, with a direct link to current academic thinking, which means they bring a fresh perspective to problems and processes your existing team may not have contemplated. Take advantage of this opportunity and you may find solutions you've never considered before.

By following these tips you can help improve the performance of your business by effectively utilising work-based learning. But these aren't the only ways to make the best of adult learning in your workplace. It's important to try and introduce different learning styles for all your staff, utilising both formal and informal learning, to really develop the employment skills of your team. Please look out for further articles on work-based learning and improving employability skills in the future.

This is the second of two articles on work-based learning. The first article discusses the potential benefits of work-based learning and how employees can take advantage of all the opportunities it offers.