Placements - flavour of the month or here to stay?

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills is endorsing a range of ways to help students gain vital international experience from overseas study and work placements. A report by Professor Colin Riordan, Chair of the UK HE International Unit, discusses the incentives and obstacles to students studying and working abroad. According to Times Higher Edcation (2012) the main recommendations are:
The development of a national strategy for outward mobility and a sector- led body to support this. Professor Riordan and the Joint Steering Group on Outward Student Mobility have now been asked to develop this idea and present options for a sector-led solution.

A replacement scheme for the current Erasmus fee-waiver that will come into effect from the academic year 2014/15. For the first time, financial support will also extend to student placements at overseas institutions outside of the Erasmus scheme - both within and outside of the EU.
Universities and Science Minister David Willetts said:

“Study abroad offers a huge range of benefits for students taking part, and also for our universities and the wider UK economy. Students improve their employability, institutions develop their international links and businesses value the wider experience of those who’ve spent time abroad. It’s a win-win for all. (THE, 2012)

Professor Colin Riordan, Chair, UK Higher Education International Unit commented:
"Studying, working or volunteering abroad increases the employability and financial rewards for students in the international labour market. Despite this the UK ranks just 25th in the world for the number of students studying overseas. (THE, 2012)

Is the grass greener?


I have been lucky enough to have been involved with a compulsory worked based learning module for the past two years visiting students in The United States, Turkey  and again planning to visit students over the summer period in Greece and here in the Uk. My observations of the value of these extended placements is generally positive, witnessing students mature and develop their skills whilst for many also building vital industry experience. However the success of these placements in my opinion can be influenced by;

• The quality of the partner organisation and its attitude towards the students development
• The training and induction programmes students are put through
• The social network supporting the student - some can feel vulnerable working away from their immediate support network.
• Culture shock - understanding the expectations and values of both a new organisation and country can be overwhelming.
• The level of training and work experience prior to departing

There are many international employers looking for english speaking seasonal staff. Not all in my opinion can offer the student an excellent learning or life experience. It will be vital for institutions to build appropriate criteria to screen for appropriate employers and ensure that students are fully prepared before departing this will include the development of key skills and a cultural understanding of the environments they are about to enter.

The placements market over the next 10 years will become crowded if new national bodies are facilitating and incentivising  the development of compulsory work based programmes. Institutions and these new agencies need to have a positive attitude to collaboration within the sector and with employers to ensure that there are no sub standard learning experiences fueled by the need to keep up with Government recommendations. This cannot be another tick box exercise for institutions eager to please government ministers. There needs to be a committed investment across the sector to ensure that employers and instutions work together to meet their own and individual students needs.

Reference

Times Higher Education (2012)  Willetts pledges partial grant to encourage overseas study
 http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/story.asp?storycode=419824 accessed 3rd May 2012