GO Wales

1. GO Wales Steve Poole Training Officer

2. Who and Why? • Graduate Opportunities Wales are a European funded run programme offering both graduates and undergraduates the opportunity to increase their business awareness and develop their key employability skills. • This is done through work placements, work tasters and the graduate academy. • The reason why is simple, you only have to look at recent studies to show the need for such a scheme. • Experience and employability skills(PDP)

3. Work placements • GO Wales Work Placements are Wales’ flagship work experience scheme. We offer students and graduates the chance to gain paid, project-based work experience. Our placements are proven to make you more employable. • Here are the basic facts about our placement scheme: • Placements last around 10 weeks and are normally full-time. • Placements are paid £240 per week min. • You get the chance to develop your skills by working on a real business project for a local employer. • You complete a work-based qualification designed to help you develop your business and personal skills. • You can add some quality experience to your CV. • Many placements lead to further work with the host company but obviously this isn’t guaranteed.

4. How this works • We have a GO Wales office in each HEI throughout Wales who have designated placement officers to find graduate positions with local SME’s within their region. • The GO Wales database holds placee information for each HEI in Wales. This includes placement details, company details and start dates • The Professional Development Award team based at Swansea University will meet with each candidate to discuss the award and start them on the path to continual professional development by focusing on PDP.

5. Professional Development Award • The Professional Development Award is a Level 4 qualification accredited by City & Guilds • Delivered to University students and graduates who take part in GO Wales work placements • Aims to focus the placee on increasing their employability and business awareness; and how they can positively impact the host company through their actions and ideas • Aims to focus the employer to structure, measure and evaluate the placees contribution

6. The Professional Development Award and PDP • The essence of the award focuses on PDP having one early designated section which gives the candidates the opportunity to identify and devise between 3-5 SMART objectives. • These objectives are a mix of personal and professional goals which they wish to work towards over the course of the placement. • They are asked to complete a reflective diary on a weekly basis allowing them to build a portfolio of their work highlighting the positive and negative experiences they have encountered. This gives them the opportunity to recognise the skills they have developed and highlight areas which they feel need further improvement. • Self reflection is a key measuring tool and can be used to help monitor progress towards achieving each of the key objectives.

7. Examples of Personal Objectives • To increase the level of confidence I have in my abilities • To develop networking skills • To improve time and project management skills • To increase my general business awareness • To implement the knowledge I gained through study • Industry specific objectives – marketing, journalism, IT

8. Examples of Professional Objectives • To create a SEO package for our customers • To increase on-lines sales by 20% over 10 weeks • To research and implement Green Dragon Award • To research, design and implement an e-marketing strategy • To use a variety of teaching techniques to enhance the current lesson plan and make the sessions more interactive and rewarding for the students • Industry specific objectives – TV & Production, Marine Biology, Construction & Engineering

9. Assessment and Feedback • All submissions are marked against City & Guilds standards and candidates are provided with written feedback • 50% of files are 2nd marked through an Interval Verification process to ensure that standards are maintained • 5% of all files are spot checked by the GO Wales manager • On a regular basis, a number of files are selected by our External Verifier, Rob Ward. This ensures that we maintain our standards and take on board any advice given for development

10. Benefits of the AwardThe Placee’s perspective • Provides structure and focus throughout the placement experience and beyond; • The PDA formally recognises the impact their actions have had on the placement company; • Allows the placee to reflect on their actions, allowing them to refine their working practices, which in turn increases their employability and business awareness.

11. Benefits of the AwardThe Employer’s perspective • Provides the company with a focused and proactive member of staff, who is concentrating on both personal and professional development; • Allows the employer to communicate with the candidate on mutual goals and objectives, ensuring that steady progress is being made; • Through the feedback given by the candidate in the 3rd Party Statements and Final Report and through the actions of the placee, the employer is able to evaluate the effectiveness of the placee and the positive impact they have had on the company.

12. Benefits of the AwardThe GO Wales perspective • Allows GO Wales to measure the effectiveness of the placement programme • Provides structure to the placement allowing both the placee and host company to benefit from each others support • The PDA team are able to provide a tailored service which includes mentoring, support and practical guidance relating to the specific placements and sectors. This support can be accessed by the placee and their employer • Adds value to the GO Wales programme

13. Thank you for listening any Questions? Email: pda@gowales.co.uk Or telephone: 01792 513097