VETTER E learning course (EN)

·        Case study

EXAMPLE OF A PLACEMENT

Learner A is in his/her final year of an engineering degree and has completed his/her formal VET studies. As a requirement to graduate, Learner A has to organise professional engineering work experience at a business for three months. While Learner A has to organise the placement individually, the VET centre has strict criteria about needing to assess an employer to ensure this placement provides the relevant learning environment and gives final sign-off on the placement. 

·        Tips for learners

HOW CAN LEARNERS PLAN AND ORGANISE THEIR OWN VET PLACEMENT

T-Levels. Self-sourcing industry placements guidance for students to find their own industry placements. HM Government.

Learners can plan and organise their own VET placement. Having the initiative can show enthusiasm and motivation. Learners should first learn what a VET placement consists of and reflect upon their own study programme, skills and desired learning outcomes. Hence, they should decide the type of industry most suitable for their placement. Self-assessment tools can help in this reflection process. Once learners have decided the most suitable type of industry for their VET placement, they should find potential employers. There are multiple options to do so. First, they could ask for help to VET centres and/or attend launch events. Alternatively, learners can rely on the help of family members, friends and acquaintances for local networking. Another possibility is to conduct online research about potential employers.

When the potential employers have been identified, learners should prepare their CVs, cover letters and interview skills. For this purpose, Europass is a set of online tools for managing every aspect of a learning/career pathway. Its format is widely recognised by employers throughout Europe for education, volunteering, apprentices, job, etc. The first contact with the target company should include key personal information, study programme, skills, desired learning outcomes and motivation to take part in the placement. Learners should also provide the contact of their VET coordinator/tutor to facilitate the communication between VET centres and employers.