Workplace Integrated Learning and PebblePad - Enhancing graduate employability

Laurie Murphy and Alf Kuilboer, James Cook University

By embedding both WIL experiences and PebblePad-based assessment, the employability theme is integrated throughout the Bachelor of Business degree. In first year, students are provided with a skills portfolio workbook in PebblePad to help them connect assessment to transferable skills throughout their degree, and to encourage them to save assessment pieces as assets. A scaffolded approach to Portfolio pedagogy and WIL ensures students not only have the opportunity to gain valuable industry experience, but can enrich their experience by documenting and demonstrating work-based competencies through the creation of a CV/skills Portfolio in one of the 3rd year WIL subjects. In the professional internship subject students prepare a cover letter and CV Portfolio to address the selection criteria of a real job ad. They regularly update an activities diary template, which is monitored in the ATLAS workspace, and complete a reflective journal at the completion of the placement. In the multi-disciplinary project subject, students are required to work in cross-disciplinary teams on an identified real problem for an industry partner. Students complete a CV Portfolio that provides evidence of skills needed for their role in the project team. The project proposal is completed in a workbook, the final outcome is presented to the industry partner in the form of a Portfolio, and meeting agenda and minutes templates are used to manage team meetings. A customised template is used by students to reflect on working in a multidisciplinary team. Students already employed in a workplace can undertake an independent project addressing a workplace problem. As part of the project proposal workbook, students complete a CV Portfolio evidencing relevant skills, and their final project outcome is presented as a Portfolio. The building blocks embedded in the degree ensure every BBus graduate leaves the institution with a skills-based CV Portfolio significantly enhancing their employability.