Tripartite view on Work-based Learning in Latvia

AbstractThe aim of the Erasmus research project “WBLQUAL – An Approach to Qualification Through Negotiated Work Based Learning for the EU” (http://www.wblqual.com) is to produce a more effective way of improving skills and behaviors of employees through the use of academic work-based learning (WBL) programmes. Currently many high education (HE) courses are designed to meet academic quality standards; they sometimes fail to produce the required change in behavior in the workplace that employers seek. Employers are often less interested in qualifications than performance so a tripartite approach - HE institution (HEI), Employer, Learner - is necessary to include the employer's needs within WBL. The purpose of the study is to gain a deep understanding of the issues, incentives and barriers held by each of 3 participants and to use this understanding to formulate a tri-partite approach to WBL qualifications. The methodology investigates both employers’ and learners’ views of WBL as well as university culture, legal and academic issues and integrates findings for communicating the benefits of WBL to learners, employers and HEIs. Required information is derived from one-to-one in-depth interviews, through questionnaires and surveys among each type of tripartite participants. The paper presents findings in relation to barriers and enablers of WBL in Latvia from the point of view of employers, learners and HEIs as well as possible solution for promotion of this kind of learning