Reading: The Importance of Work-Related Learning

Integrating work and study:

• Beating the competition
• Holistic view to learning - combine academic with practical work experience
• 'Hit the ground running' - not needing to be trained for ages, can start working asap
• We must manage our own careers

What employers expect:

• 'Employability' - long-term potential in employees
• Now employers want graduates with qualifications AND wide range of skills and experiences
• 'Bring something to the party' - have existing skills/knowledge they might not have
• Higher starting salaries than past 
• Some skills employers seek: specialist skills, information technology, fast learning, foreign languages

Work-related learning:

• Work experience that helps theoretical studies at university and helps work place
• Evidence of relevant skills
• Continual learning and plans for improvement

Opportunities: 

• Repeated work suggests lack of initiative
• Can learn new skills, deal with customers, willingness to work