Learning through Work

Workplace Learning

Learning through Work Project

Learning through Work has a simple premise: the skills that matter at work are the skills that work activity requires. Practising a skill provides an opportunity to develop and this can be done in the workplace.

We set out to test whether on-the-job learning might offer a practical way to develop the skills that underpin performance and progression in the low-skilled, low-paid workplace where access to learning is most restricted.

Project publications

Project overview – Short briefing that outlines the Learning through Work project.
Learning Through Work Project Briefing - [Word]

Learning through Work – Paper by the project manager examining the concept of developmental on-the-job learning and its links to participative people and performance management. Commissioned by the Dept of Health’s Widening Participation Strategy Unit.
Braddell, A. (2007) Learning through work: developmental on-the-job learning as a vehicle to widen participation in workplace learning - [PDF], Position paper for the Dept of Health Widening Participation Unit

Phase 1 Reports

Review of research into workplace basic skills – Study by the Institute for Employment Studies (IES) that reviews research evidence on workplace basic skills. Carried out at the start of the Learning through Work project.
Newton, B., Miller, L., Bates, P., Page, R., Akroyd, K. (2006) Learning through Work: Literacy, language, numeracy & IT skills development in low-paid, low-skilled workplaces: Literature Review - [PDF], Institute for Employment Studies, Research Report No. 433 . Executive Summary - [PDF]

Audit of workplace practices – Report, also by IES, that analyses the findings of Phase 1’s audit of workplace practices in 21 South East employer organizations (NHS, local authority and private sector).
Newton, B., Miller, L., Braddell, A. (2006) Learning through Work: Literacy, language, numeracy & IT skills development in low-paid, low-skilled workplaces: Audit of Learning - [PDF], Institute for Employment Studies, Research Report No. 434. Executive Summary - [PDF]

Phase 2 Reports

Review of research into on-the-job learning – Study by Leeds University Business School that reviews research evidence on on-the-job learning. Carried out to inform Phase 2 of the Learning through Work project.
Wallis, E., Panagiotakopoulos, A., Stuart, M. (2007) On-the-job Learning Methodologies Literature Review - [PDF], Centre for Employment Relations Innovation & Change, Leeds University Business School.

Developing basic skills in the workplace – Short paper written by Professor Lorna Unwin to inform Phase 2 of the Learning through Work project.
Unwin, L. (2007) Developing basic skills in the workplace, Supporting Paper for the ‘Learning through Work’ project - [PDF], Institute of Education, University of London.

Phase 2 evaluation report – Report by Professor Mark Stuart and Professor Jonathan Winterton examining the outcomes of Phase 2’s practical trials of on-the-job learning.
Stuart, M., Winterton, J. (2009) Learning through Work – Phase 2 Evaluation Report - [PDF], Centre for Employment Relations Innovation & Change, Leeds University Business School. Executive Summary - [PDF]

Learning through Work case studies – Mini case studies that present the project’s ten workplace trials of on-the-job learning and also a reflection on the role of learning facilitator.
On-the-job learning trials: Case studies & reflections on the role of facilitator - [PDF]

On-the-job learning resource

Improving ward communication – On-the-job learning resource developed from one of the Learning through Work project’s ten on-the-job learning trials. This resource is designed to help a hospital ward team improve customer care and team work communication – available to buy.
Leadbetter, M. (2009) Learning through Work: Improving ward communication NIACE, Leicester

How the resource works – Short presentation explaining how the resource works