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Students at learning institutions are encouraged to join the Work Integrated Learning, Work Integrated Education and Employment Preparation Programs upon arrival on campus, ie in their first year of study. They must be constantly engaged throughout their studies. The program is fast becoming the core of all lines of study around the world.
The World Association for Cooperative Education (WACE) is the global organization advocating for the integration of work-integrated learning and work-integrated education across all degrees and diplomas. The goal is to make the transition from the world of learning and education to the world of work seamless.
In South Africa we have the Southern African Society for Cooperative Education (SASCE) made up of academic and industry professionals. It organizes a biannual continental conference called WIL Africa, to promote cooperative education and work integrated learning across the continent. SASCE and WACE work together on a number of initiatives, including the annual WACE world conference organized by different member universities.
The type of programs undertaken under the program must be relevant to the industries that are likely to absorb the graduates of the learning institutions. They should be aimed at bridging the gap between theory and practice throughout the study period.
General activities are organized and conducted on and off campus by the Institutions Cooperative Education Departments, for example, industry visits, guest lectures by industry professionals, visits to career fairs and exhibits, workshops, industry-specific seminars and conferences, on-the-job learning during vacations, job readiness programs such as how to write a resume, how to apply for a job, how to conduct job interviews, how to research the industry and the right companies for the dream career of the graduate, etc.
For those institutions that have adopted the programme, partnering with industry to offer practical P1 and P2 work is a natural fit. The training contributes credit points towards the qualification. The program follows a well-integrated integration of theoretical lectures and industry learning.
There are many reasons why companies would partner with learning institutions and participate in the programs. Among others, the opportunity for students to interact with professionals in the industry, students receive reliable sources of information on their career options, companies are a source of recruiting new talent, an acceptable standard of transition from institutions of learning to the world of work, both institutions and industry have an interest in graduates who are clear about why they chose the career path they are following and, as a result, the placement becomes successful.
The above points bring us to the most important objective, namely, the preparation for employment of graduates. The Employment Preparation Program is extremely important and requires a special focus. How a graduate arrives at their first workplace depends on their level of preparation and management of the transition. This is her second most difficult transition after transitioning from high school to college.
There are many potential pitfalls that require a mentor to help graduates overcome them. It is impossible to overcome this obstacle without the guidance of a mentor. It is the first time that the graduate will know if her choice of studies and career was correct or not. They should have mastered the logical transition steps that include basic tasks such as identifying the industry and company to apply for first job, choosing the type of job, choosing the career direction, putting together a compelling resume, preparing for the job interview . , purchase of appropriate corporate clothing, etc.
The arrival in the world of work is the beginning of an enormous personal responsibility. It is the beginning of a long journey towards corporate life. This trip, depending on the level of preparation or lack thereof, can be good or bad. It is at this point that the graduate and his sponsors (family or other funders) will want to confirm the return on investment in education.
The role of the mentor during the WIL and WIE period cannot be underestimated. It is absolutely necessary in this last mile of the graduate’s educational journey. The mentor should accompany the graduate during this critical phase of their holistic development of human capital. The graduate should view the mentoring arrangement as a crucial investment, not an expense. The foundation on which to build corporate life must be solid.