The Views of Employers on Internships as a Means of Learning from Work Experience in Higher Education

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Bibliographic Details
Title: The Views of Employers on Internships as a Means of Learning from Work Experience in Higher Education
Language: English
Authors: Virolainen, Maarit Hannele, Stenstrom, Marja-Leena, Kantola, Mauri
Source: Journal of Vocational Education and Training. 2011 63(3):465-484.
Availability: Routledge. Available from: Taylor & Francis, Ltd. 325 Chestnut Street Suite 800, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 800-354-1420; Fax: 215-625-2940; Web site: http://www.tandf.co.uk/journals
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 20
Publication Date: 2011
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Adult Education
Higher Education
Descriptors: Strategic Planning, Higher Education, Employer Attitudes, Work Experience, Questionnaires, Social Work, Health Occupations, Education Work Relationship, Skill Analysis, Educational Quality, Quality Assurance, Foreign Countries, Occupational Surveys, Educational Needs, Minimum Competencies, Vocational Education
Geographic Terms: Finland
DOI: 10.1080/13636820.2011.580360
ISSN: 1363-6820
Abstract: This article examines internships as part of the apprenticeship model of learning adopted in higher education. We focus on employers' views on internships, which have hitherto received only limited attention. Our study explores employers' experiences in organizing internships, and their collaboration with one University of Applied Sciences, through data from social and health care employers (n=165), collected via a questionnaire. We conclude that if internships are to be improved as a means of learning from work experience, issues that employers want to raise within the collaborative framework require attention. These themes include relations with students, curriculum issues and the organization of the collaboration. A problem related to underestimating employer views on developing internships is that the resource-intensive nature of collaborative relations is silenced. As a result, targets for developing partnerships are left unrecognized, with adverse effects on the quality management and strategic planning of higher education institutions. (Contains 3 tables and 1 figure.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 55
Entry Date: 2012
Accession Number: EJ953327
Database: ERIC
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