Work-based learning/Principles of WBL/Summary

Tertiary level work based learning has several distinct features:
 * the concept of partnership between an organisation, an educational institution and the learner.
 * the learner is part of the organisation. The role can be paid or a volunteer but the concept of commitment exists.
 * the programme derives from the needs of the workplace rather than being controlled by the disciplinary curriculum
 * the starting point is established after a structured review of current learning
 * a major part of the programme is work based learning projects that meet the needs of the learner and their organisation
 * a transdisciplinary framework of standards is used to assess.

Otago Polytechnic subscribes to this description of WBL and further elaborates this in the following way. Work-Based Learning at Otago Polytechnic seeks to:
 * enable the Polytechnic to provide programmes customised to meet the needs of employer partners;
 * provide accessible and flexible opportunities for those in paid or unpaid work to access a comprehensive range of under-graduate and post-graduate qualifications;
 * provide a means to recognise and accredit higher-level learning that is specifically achieved in the context of the workplace to promote continuing personal and professional development;
 * enable individuals to recognise their own WBL as the subject of higher education study and to negotiate programmes which are focused on topics and issues relevant to their work/ practice;
 * provide the means to construct negotiated work-based higher education programmes in partnership with employers or other organisations, which are designed to meet their development needs.