Purpose: The research presented in this paper deepens our understanding of the experience of apprentices and employers engaged in degree apprenticeships. Design/methodology/approach: The research is focused upon ten in depth interviews. Data collection and analysis was undertaken following a grounded theory approach. Findings: The data analysis…

An important part of STEM education is students' acquisition of knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for career success, all of which emerge from a combination of classroom and co-curricular activities. Work-related experiential activities (WREAs) offer the opportunity for students to engage in experiential activities before degree completion,…

Purpose: In light of the expanding prominence of work-integrated learning (WIL), the pedagogical model that integrates work experiences into an academic curriculum, this paper presents a systematic review that uncovers little-explored students' reflections of quality (RoQ). Design/methodology/approach: Drawing on the concept of wayfinding rocks…

The work-integrated learning (WIL) environment can precipitate additional mental and psychological stress, with possible deleterious effects for health science students and patients. The dearth of information for clinical technology students who are also affected by the demands of academic learning tasks and the clinical environment, warrants an…

Work-integrated learning (WIL) has the capacity to combine academic knowledge with practical experience through specialized programs. While there is extensive literature on WIL, there exists a dearth of research on learners' perspectives, particularly in comparative studies across majors. This study compares the perspectives of 164 engineering…

Assessment and feedback remain one of the biggest challenges when designing work-integrated learning (WIL) programs. Motivated by the paucity of student-facing research, this study explores the student experiences of assessment and feedback on work-placement modules across a variety of programs within a single university. Two hundred and seventy…

This study aimed to explore the motivation for university students to become JumpStart AmeriCorps members (volunteers) and to examine the relationship between volunteers' participation in the program and their leadership skills development. A total of 46 participants were surveyed to identify their two main reasons for becoming a JumpStart…

There are growing expectations that tertiary education graduates will be ready for working life, that is, possessing the capacities to participate effectively in an occupational practice in a specific work situation. Yet, graduates are often unprepared to fulfil this expectation. In response, tertiary education increasingly includes workplace…

Some degree programs require students to complete self-sourced work placements as a condition for graduation, which is challenging for many international students as they face significant contextual constraints. The literature has indicated typical contextual challenges international students face while attempting to strengthen organizational…

This study proposes a new approach to teaching-learning in engineering and technology programmes at the undergraduate level in Tanzania, and evaluates its feasibility. The rationale was to improve flexibility in learning by providing learners with alternative programmes to choose from. A conceptual model was introduced showing how the work-based…

Given the importance of work-integrated learning (WIL) for developing graduate attributes, universities must seek to reduce negative experiences associated with WIL. WIL outcomes may be enhanced by embedding the experience internally within the academic setting. This study explored the experiences of Exercise and Sport Science (E&SS) students…

Purpose: This study aimed to realign the Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) curriculum at an Australian university with communication industry standards and student career goals. It proposes practical suggestions for a third-year communications studies WIL course that will effectively prepare students for professional success by integrating insights…

The discourse on preparing job-ready graduates has led to calls for more authentic methods of teaching and learning that allow higher education students to enhance their employability. The literature identifies authentic approaches to teaching as those that situate learning in contexts that correspond to the 'real world'. However, little is known…

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to develop a greater understanding of how a virtual learning environment (VLE) discussion forum can be used as a learning community to enhance reflective practice in work-based learning (WBL). Design/methodology/approach: This study adopted a qualitative interpretive approach through the use of VLE [Blackboard…

Understanding employability for Maori, the Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand (NZ), is an under researched area. The dominant Western culture, structures and practices in university and industries within NZ have obscured Maori presence and limited Maori student's expression of their own cultural identity. The current employment environment…