Changing policies, their impact on the provision of work‐based learning and the development of an e‐portfolio based pedagogy for WBL

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify how key external and internal policies can impact on the internal policies of a University in the UK. It explains how the internal structures can be changed to meet the policy demands and how the need to meet those demands can lead to the development of an innovative pedagogy to broaden engagement with the business community, to offer work‐based learning to employees within small to medium‐sized enterprises.

Design/methodology/approach

The objectives of the case study are to review the key external policies and drivers for change and how these led to internal policy and structure changes. The paper reviews past practice in the university around employer engagement, how this is affected by the external changes and identifies opportunities for change offered through the availability of external project funding. The key requirements for the new pedagogical approach are outlined, along with its primary concepts and how an e‐portfolio has been designed to meet the needs of the target group.

Findings

The paper shows how imperatives arising from policies and drivers outside the university can be contextualised by that university to develop a cost‐effective, sustainable and scaleable pedagogy to widen access to cohorts of learners that would otherwise not be able to access higher education.

Originality/value

The paper showcases an innovative pedagogic approach to enable access to higher education for work‐based learners in small to medium‐sized enterprises.

Citation

Felce, A. and Purnell, E. (2012), "Changing policies, their impact on the provision of work‐based learning and the development of an e‐portfolio based pedagogy for WBL", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 2 No. 1, pp. 45-53. https://doi.org/10.1108/20423891211197730