ERIC Number: EJ1113805
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-1175-2882
EISSN: N/A
Work-Integrated Learning Courses: An Essential Component for Preparing Students to Work in Statutory Child Protection?
Bates, Annerly; Bates, Lyndel
Asia-Pacific Journal of Cooperative Education, v14 n1 p45-58 2013
Undergraduate programs can play an important role in the development of individuals wanting professional employment within statutory child protection agencies: both the coursework and the work-integrated learning (WIL) components of degrees have a role in this process. This paper uses a collective case study methodology to examine the perceptions and experiences of first year practitioners within a specific statutory child protection agency in order to identify whether they felt prepared for their current role. The sample of 20 participants came from a range of discipline backgrounds with just over half of the sample (55%) completing a WIL placement as part of their undergraduate studies. The results indicate that while some participants were able to identify and articulate specific benefits from their undergraduate coursework studies, all participants who had undertaken a WIL placement as part of their degree believed the WIL placement was beneficial for their current work.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Undergraduate Students, Work Experience Programs, Child Safety, Social Work, Novices, Caseworkers, Educational Benefits, Case Studies, Career Readiness, Job Placement, Education Work Relationship, Semi Structured Interviews
New Zealand Association for Cooperative Education. University of Waikato, Private Bag 3105, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand. Tel: +64-7-838-4892; e-mail: editor@apjce.org; Web site: http://www.apjce.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Australia
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A