Blending work and learning: the impact of a workplace learning programme on the low-skilled and long term unemployed
Tiernan, Peter
(2014)
Blending work and learning: the impact of a workplace learning programme on the low-skilled and long term unemployed.
Industrial and Commercial Training, 46
(7).
pp. 406-414.
ISSN 0019-7858
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace learning programme on the low-skilled and long term unemployed. The paper evaluates improvements in skills and attitudes from the workers perspective.
Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper builds on current literature in the area to design and evaluate a workplace learning programme. Quantitative and qualitative data are used to evaluate staff perceptions.
Findings: Findings indicate that providing a mix of workplace learning, and focused academic content can have an extremely positive impact on the skill-set and mind-set of low-skilled and long term unemployed workers. The effect of this is that workers are more likely to apply for further educational and employment opportunities.
Practical implications: Findings reinforce the view that an integrated approach to tackling long-term unemployment and the up-skilling of workers may be more effective than providing employment initiatives alone.
Originality/Value: While statistics on long term unemployment and the vulnerability of low-skilled workers are widely available right across the EU, there is a comparative lack of literature around initiatives designed to tackle these problems, and even less which incorporates the views of workers themselves. This paper provides a unique look at the implementation of a workplace learning programme and its impact on staff.