THE ASPIRATIONS AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF WBLQUAL, AN ERASMUS FUNDED PROJECT ON UP-SKILLING WORK BASED LEARNERS THROUGH HIGHER EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS.

Abstract
Work Based Learning (WBL) is not a new concept. Authors such as Baud and Solomon [8] have discussed both the concept and practice of learning in the workplace. There has been widespread acceptance of the value of education in the workplace rather than ‘training’, particularly when academic programmes involve the learner and the employer in the design and delivery of curriculum, thus allowing the specific matching of the employer’s strategic needs with the planned development of the learner. This has been described as a ‘tri-partite’ , ‘negotiated’ approach. Since then however, there has been limited evidence of widespread acceptance or uptake of WBL, either by employers or Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). It is suggested that there remain significant barriers both to the communication of WBL opportunities, and to the implementation of WBL academic programmes. The WBLQUAL [1] project was funded to research into the barriers and enablers of tri-partite, negotiated WBL - from the viewpoints of Employers, Learners and HEI institutions, and to examine how up-skilling work based learners through Higher Education Qualifications can contribute to European Union (EU) objectives.
WBLQUAL involved partners from 5 EU countries (Led by the UK, and involving partners from Denmark, Italy, Poland, Latvia). Each partner led a research ‘work package’, focusing on Employer, Student and HEI viewpoints, and from an economic sector (leisure and tourism). It is intended that each partner will present results from their work package during the WBL ‘section’ of the conference.
The research methods involved primary research using questionnaires, in depth interviews and case studies, supported by literature reviews. By integrating findings from across the EU the project was able to analyse and identify common factors, as well as country specific issues relevant to WBL.
This paper will describe the context and the aspirations of the WBLQUAL project, and how it relates to EU objectives. It will describe the main project activities and deliverables, thereby setting the scene for the related presentations in the WBLQUAL conference section.