Work Placement
An emphasis on practical learning and the application of theory to real-life situations is
central to the Tipperary Institute approach to learning. This approach means that as a graduate you already have key skills, which will enable you to obtain employment and also build a career. During your programme of study, you will be required, where possible, to spend some time, no less than three months and no more than six months, in a defined work area that is related to your course of study. Seeking this placement is good practice for seeking work on graduation. The Institute will however, assist you in locating a suitable placement and workshops are provided to assist students with CV preparation, interview skills, etc.
While most students to date have completed their work placements in Ireland, an increasing
number of students are travelling overseas. In recent years Tipperary Institute students have travelled to Austria, Germany and the United States where they secured employment for the duration of their placement. In 2004, a group of students from the Rural Development programme undertook their work placement in Kenya.
In addition, students can also avail of funding under the HEA (Higher Education Authority), Lifelong Learning Programme, when obtaining placements in Europe. The specific work assignment, although important, is not the sole consideration. You should be aware of the total work environment and observe how the job fits into the organisation as a whole, how people relate to each other at work, peoples' attitudes towards work, developments in the industry in general and so on.
Development of social and communication skills are just as important as the academic
and technical skills. All jobs offer learning opportunities over and above the specific task
assignments and students should derive full benefit from the experience of being at work.
As the Work Placement Programme forms an integral part of all Tipperary Institute courses, the implementation, management, development and monitoring of the programme is the responsibility of the respective academic departments with the assistance of the Development & Academic Services office. Contact
for further information.
This Year's Schedule 07/08
Monitoring the Work Placement Programme:
On undertaking Work Placement, students are expected to:
The Company/Organisation's Commitment to the Placement Programme:
Company / Organisation Duty of Care to the Student:
The Academic Supervisor's Role:
Placement Assessment:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Key stages in the Establishment & Monitoring of the Work Placement:
Appointment of an Institute Academic Supervisor to each Student
Appointment of a Work Supervisor to each student
A formal introduction/induction to the work placement by the Work Supervisor
The maintenance of a work log by the student, that must be signed by the work supervisor either on a weekly or monthly basis
A formal assessment carried out by the Academic Supervisor on behalf of the Institute
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Expected of Students.
Apply concepts and principles of their field of study appropriately to the requirements of the work environment
Demonstrate capacity and willingness to undertake a range of duties required for employment in their relative field
Recognise the nature of the skills and attitudes required for success as a manager or supervisor
Effectively meet the requirements of the employment selection process
Through the production of a report and /or other reflective exercises, the student will demonstrate some of the learning outcomes of the placement.
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The Company's Commitment
The placement position be well defined and should relate to the student's academic field of study
The student should have a work supervisor or mentor for the duration of the placement
The focus of the work placement should be work experience rather than financial gain
The employing organisation should facilitate the visit of the student's Academic Supervisor to discuss the student's performance and to deal with any problems that may have arisen and also to discuss other issues relevant to the company and the Institute
In the unlikely event of a matter of discipline arising, the employing organisation should apply its formal grievance or problem solving policy. Where the employing organisation does not have such a policy they should undertake to apply fair, clear and transparent practices
At the end of the Placement the employing organisation should provide a Work Placement Supervisor's Evaluation Report to the Institute. This form allows the employer an opportunity to assess the student's performance as well as commenting on the Work Placement Programme. This form is returned to the academic department in Tipperary Institute where it forms part of the student's official records
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The Company's Duty of Care
Generally, the student who is employed by a particular organisation follows the norms of that organisation and is treated by the organisation according to their standard Human Resource Policies.
The following are the recommended actions that the host organisation should undertake:
Meet the student at the beginning of the placement
Ensure that the student undergoes the appropriate induction process
Ensure the student understands the safety and quality policy of the organisation
Assign work to the student and oversee the performance of the assigned work
Act as a first reference point for the student in times of difficulty
Oversee completion of logbook and sign off as necessary
Contribute to the assessment process as defined
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The Academic Supervisor
At the beginning of the placement the student and the Academic Supervisor meet to ensure the student is fully aware of the supports available to him/her and has a full understanding of both their academic and work obligations in respect of the Placement
During placement the student is visited at least once by his/her Academic Supervisor to address any problems that may have arisen. It is important that the Academic Supervisor meets with the Work Supervisor during the course of the visit, as evaluation of the work placement student is carried out by both the Academic Supervisor and the Work Supervisor
In the case of an overseas placement the Academic Supervisor arranges telephone and e-mail contact with both the Student and the Work Supervisor
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Placement Assessment
A mark of either Pass or Fail is awarded to the student's work placement and will appear on their academic transcript. This evaluation is obtained from the process of the student preparing and submitting reports and/or making formal presentations on his/her work experience.
Procedures regarding the completion of the various elements of the Assessment Process vary in form and structure in accordance with the course of study and are explained in the Work Placement Manual to be handed out at time of Placement.
The following however, is a broad outline of some of the methods employed. Departments utilise these or variations of them as they regard appropriate.
Daily Log Book
This records the activities undertaken by the student on a daily basis in summary form and is signed by the work supervisor on a weekly/monthly basis to attest to its authenticity.
Monthly Learning Report
This outlines the principal matters that have been observed and learned by the student during the previous month. It relates to the learning outcomes and records any difficulties encountered as well as positive learning.
Academic Supervisor Assessment
This is carried out in consultation with the work supervisor and the student and tries to ascertain the progress made to date by the student in the job. It addresses any problems that may have arisen. The assessment is based on the extent of the student's awareness of the nature of the job and the elements that it contains relative to the learning outcomes.
Work Supervisor Assessment
This is a simple assessment by the work supervisor of the quality of work, attitude and commitment of the student.
Final Written Presentation
This is a professional report prepared by the student in a specific format containing a designated number of words and must be submitted to the Academic Supervisor by a specified date depending on departmental requirements. In assessing the written report, how well the student can reflect and analyse upon their work experience and how it has benefited him/her will be considered. This report is retained in the student's file, as with all written examinations, for the agreed time period.
To assist students in the completion of the assessment reports it is recommended that they continually reflect on their work experience as it progresses, to help build up a daily/weekly profile of significant learning points that will inform the writing of the final written presentation.
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