Work-Based Learning Programmes in English Universities: Government Policy and Organizational Practice

• Published in: Workplace Learning pp. 194 - 211
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Routledge 2010
• Subjects: WBL; UK Institution; KPMG Report; Higher Education; UK Government Policy; Business Development Director; WBL Programme; HEFCE Strategic Plan; WBL Student; Contemporary Society; HEFCE 2006a; Learning Contract; WBL Partnership; Fi Nancial Incentives; Fi Rst Degree; Case Study Universities; Work Based Learning Practices; Human Capital Theory; Qualifi Cations; HEIF; Subject Fi Eld; MMP Programme; Case Study
• ISBN: 9780415482622; 0415482623
• DOI: 10.4324/9780203850084-20

The chapter compares and contrasts government policy towards workbased (especially postgraduate) learning in higher education with policies and practices at the local, that is, university, level. It is informed by human capital theory, but also the recognition that relevant actors shape and confi gure practice within wider outer-and inner-organizational contexts, subject to a range of constraints and opportunities. Such a perspective would expect to fi nd both some variation in practice and in views about practice between actors and across organizations in the same broad institutional (that is, university) context. We were particularly interested in the extent to which policy gets translated into practice, and, if this happens only partially (or not at all), what the key inhibitors are at the university level.