Key messages

The analyses on workplace learning in the United Kingdom were based on a very specific pilot project. The early project promoted quality development across a supply chain and involved public training providers in the related workshops. As a follow-up the UK research partners analysed how the public career services can promote knowedge on workplace learning.

UK National Report

Workplace Learning Partnerships in automotive supply chains in England [ Download ] (UK_National_report.doc - 174.50 Kb ) Preview

Workplace Learning Partnerships in automotive supply chains in England. Alan Brown, Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick. National report for the Leonardo da Vinci Project ‘Work & Learning Partners’ - January 2005

Supporting Workplace Learning Partnerships: using web-based collaborative and personal learning spaces to provide rich learning experiences for adult guidance practitioners [ Download ] (UK_Follow-up_study.doc - 99.50 Kb ) Preview

Lucy Marris, Jenny Bimrose and Alan Brown. University of Warwick

UK Case Stories

WLP - Case story 6 – United Kingdom (1)

Transition from active piloting to promoting knowledge transfer on workplace learning. Prepared by Pekka Kämäräinen, Alan Brown, Jenny Bimrose & Lucy Marris.

WLP - Case story 6.2 – United Kingdom (2)

Case descriptions related to Workplace Learning Partnerships in automotive supply chains in England. Alan Brown, Institute for Employment Research, University of Warwick.

The WLP Manual in English

PDF Version - WLP Manual in English [ Download ] (WLP_Manual_Final_ENG_Printed in Strasbourg.pdf - 1.02 Mb ) Preview

The WLP Manual for developing workplace learning partnerships

Multimedia products

In order to broaden the basis of the discussion on workplace learning the UK partners of the WLP project have edited a wide range of video materials on the value and uses of workplace learning in different organisational contexts.

Illustration of workplace learning in practice and the value of APL These 15 clips illustrate a partnership designed to promote the Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) in a Dutch bakery.
Basic skills collaboration These clips demonstrate the value of a partnership between a university and a city Asian Council: the importance of partnership and other key issues in delivering basic skills training are discussed.	Learning from each other - a supply chain network based around a SME making sealants These clips show the attitudes of companies in a supply chain network facilitated by a small training and development company.
SME network in the metal working industry in Birmingham A network of SMEs and various SME support agencies were collectively trying to achieve a change of fortune for the industry in the area. These types of network can be a very effective form of workplace learning partnership with learning occurring in a wide variety of ways and directions.	Industry university partnership to improve skills training This clip emphasises the need for collaboration and partnership over skills training as well as research and development in the automotive industry.
Industry university partnership to improve team working Industry university collaboration on research on team working can be used as a basis for subsequent work learning partnerships.	Industry university partnership to produce simulations to reduce time spent on on-the-job learning Brain surgery simulations now give an experience in the use of skills and techniques very close to the real thing - this type of workplace learning partnership reduces the amount of on-the-job learning required.
Value of supply networks Value of supplier networks: learning from the experience of other companies	Value of improvement programmes Value of improvement programmes in an electronics company
Value of finding a niche market One response to increasing international competition is to learn not just to do things differently, but in some cases to change the nature of the work you do. The following examples draw attention to the value of finding a niche market in which to develop a business.	Overseas sourcing Value of international collaboration: overseas sourcing of wooden furniture from Thailand for a multi-national supermarket chain. Overseas sourcing presents particular challenges in relation to workplace learning, some dimensions of which are explored here.
Quick response and multi-skilling Small clothing company: coping with change by moving to quick response and multi-skilling - learning from and with customers	Role of chamber of craft and trade (Germany) Chambers of craft and trade have 3 main tasks: represent members; conduct intermediate and final Meister exams; and provide further training.
Quick Response - learning with customers Fashion dye company - learning with customers how to respond to need for innovation and quick response	Sharing information with partners Sharing information with partners across the supply chain