Build your placement journey d172a
In this section you will find to build and tailor placement partnerships, and design quality placement experiences for students, employers and educators.
This information continues to be updated by practitioners and experts from higher & further education, sport, and leisure sectors.
What is a placement 5y2n4s
Placements are a form of work-based learning. The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity (CIMSPA) state;
"Work-based placements involve learning through work, learning for work and/or learning at work. The experience is an authentic structured opportunity, designed to meet the learning needs of the students."
Types of placement 614i1m
Practice 1q4sh
In practice-based placements students learn through undertaking practical delivery of a role/tasks as part of a mentored work experience with an employer. These placements are normally a compulsory part of a course or qualification which require assessment, or validation.
In sport, this often includes delivery and practitioner roles such as coaching, officiating, and fitness instruction roles. Learning experiences with employers often centre around Active Schools, Active Campus, Sports Development, Clubs and Leisure providers.
Project 3tk1t
In project-based placements students learn through undertaking a project or commissioned piece of work outlined by the employer or in an area of interest for the student. These placements can be delivered independently or directly with the employer, with some form of supervision and communication in place. Typically project-placements will require assessment, or validation.
In sport, this is commonly projects based in areas like events, media, data, fund raising, hospitality, research, or ing. Employers often include Governing Bodies, Local Authorities, Leisure Trusts and other sport, health & Leisure providers.
Shadow 1t1c4r
In shadow-based placements students learn through observing a professional in their role. Students will typically spend time within the employers setting but have no / limited duties that directly contribute to the organisation. Shadowing is a valuable learning experience, often informal, and would not usually require assessment, or validation.
Who is involved 1c1o6o
Student 652zx
At the heart of a quality placement experience is a committed student whose needs are central to its design. They represent the educator whilst learning from their duties with the employer.
Employer 514s5d
Any organisation who ‘deploys’ someone in a work setting (company, authority, national body, voluntary group i.e. sports club). They provide work-based experience aligned to their current and/or future workforce and workplace needs.
Educator 3r3v5d
A college or university who operate the educational course. They the connection with employers to access relevant work-based experiences as part of a student’s study or additional learning.
Fundamentals of a strong placement partnership d2ji
Collaboration is key - most effectively achieved by building a strong relationship between the educator and employer, where they can work together to design and implement a placement that meets everyone’s needs.
Expectations are clear - ask questions to ensure you understand all the key players, their challenges and needs. Everyone should have clarity of purpose, be open around challenges, and aiming for manageable demands on capacity.
Responsibilities are defined – ensure educators, employers and students have defined and discussed responsibilities. Critical areas of responsibility should include safety & wellbeing, inductions, mentoring, assessing, and communication.
Hints, tips and good ideas 585c72
Pre-Placement 5r1h4q
- Ask lots of questions – develop a clear understanding of each other as early as possible.
- Make strong introductions – Profiles (see tools) can assist in key information sharing prior to selecting and/or connecting students and employers.
- Obstacles should be overcome – proactively use pre shared information ( Profiles) to identify and remove barriers. This might include travel, kit costs, disability, religion, and other relevant protected characteristic considerations.
- Don’t fail to prepare – inductions are a great way to outline key context and need to know information through training, reading or interventions that will help maximise the experience &/or meet minimum requirements.
- Leave nothing to chance – use a student agreement template (see tools) to clearly outline specific details on commitments & expectations.
- Safety first – ensure students are PVG checked as required, and that they will have access to the necessary kit and resources for the role. Everyone’s health, safety & wellbeing should be fully considered.
- Active mentoring - ‘mentors in life are important, choose them wisely’ (Kiyosaki) – identify a mentor to , develop & provide student . Educators can and prepare students to be ‘mentee ready’.
- Critical assessment – educators and employers should work together to outline and agree process and requirements to &/or assessment appropriate to the course needs and the employer’s capacity.
During Placement 4k3im
- Communicate and collaborate – employers and educators should stay connected, share positives, and trouble-shoot issues together as a partnership
- Student – educators should check-in and connect with students to the placement experience
- Active mentor – mentors should regularly connect with students to build rapport and trust, and to reflect on their experiences & areas for development.
- Assessing – as agreed in the partnership. Mentors/employers should complete &/or assessments.
Post-Placement l4045
- Partnerships continuously improve – use anecdotal insights & data to reflect on the partnership and the student experience. Adapt and evolve for future placement collaborations.
- Shout about success – help to strengthen the value of placements by sharing your examples, student stories, and impact through networks & social media.
- Recognise their efforts – students can hugely benefit from employer recognition, consider writing a testimonial
- Employ or deploy – where mutually beneficially and viable, extend employability opportunities through further volunteering, interview experience, or paid work.
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