Trainers Methodology Hub: Establish Industry Linkages

The SWBL-CBLM explains that "Industry partnership is a very important aspect of work-based training. As a trainer you should be aware of the processes involved in establishing linkage. You should be directly involved in these processes so that you will be able to plan the training of your trainees."

With this, let us look at the procedures that the SWBL-CBLM suggest on how to link with the Industry for the establishment of an Industry based Learning and training and the other activities that the Trainer needs to perform to ensure a safe and beneficial Industry experience of all involved parties.

Systematic Procedures in Establishing Industry Linkage and Training Procedures

Search for prospective industry partners

The document suggest that when choosing an industry, the Trainer needs to ensure that the "training of about 60-70% of the course components can be carried out." Aside from this, it also suggest for an industry "that has the that has the potential to meet the standards of an organized work-based training," and is willing "to provide guided industry training or assign personnel to coordinate activities."
Send a Proposal Letter (follow-up and visitation

The document suggest that when sending an proposal letter the letter must include a "brief information on the Dual Training, the nature of the program and its advantage to the company/industry." Although, the document focused on Dual Training, the need to write a letter and providing an introduction to the type of training that you had chosen is a must.
Set an Appointment for Presentation

When needed and requested by the target company, the trainer must be ready to make a presentation in order to explain the reason why the mode of training was chosen and other details pertinent to the conduct of Industry Based Learning.
Conduct Site Visit for work-based training plan

"Training plan aims to synchronize the curriculum of the school with the in-plant training activities of the trainees." Although, this focused more on the development of a training plan, there is indeed a need to visit the site where a trainee will be deployed to ensure that the Occupational and Safety Requirements are met during the conduct of the Industry based training. Worth noting is the safety requirements that the target company needs to comply with when a minor is to be deployed for training.
Finalize the Training Plan and Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

A "MOA/MOU is a legal document which stipulates the condition and policies governing the work-based training." It safeguards all parties involved in the conduct of the training. If the Industry Training Mode is Dual Training System, (DTS) "in preparing for the MOA, you may refer to the Dual Training Act of 1994."
Present the Training Plan and MOA/MOU for approval

After finishing the Training Plan, and the proposed MOA/MOU, there is a need for the trainer to present this to the target partner industry, this is to ensure that " any clarification or changes in the Training Plan or MOA/MOU ~~must~~ [can] be agreed upon by both parties affixing their signatures."
Placement of the trainees in the Industry

When both parties have already made an agreement, the time for the deployment of trainees to the Industry has come. Prior to this, an "orientation of the trainees should be done by the trainer or the institutions industry linkage coordinator before going to the industry for training." this orientation should be followed by an "orientation on how the industry operates and how [the] training should be ~~undergone~~ [conducted] in the industry [which] should likewise be ~~required of~~ [conducted by] the supervisor in-charge of the training.
Coordination and Monitoring

After the deployment and during the training, the conduct of a regular visit to the industry and monitoring of the activities in work-based training is performed by the Trainer. This will ensure that any adjustments that needs to be made on the training plan is properly noted by both partners during monitoring.
Work-based training Evaluation

"An evaluation of the conduct of the training should be done both on the attainment of the objectives of the program and on program implementation. The proper conduct of an evaluation and monitoring of these reports can help in the improvement of the program or subsequent Industry based program that the Trainer and the TVET Institution might implement in the near future.

Important contents of a MOA/MOU

The SWBL-CBLM reminds the Trainer and the TVET Institution of the importance of clearly stating the duties and responsibilities of both parties, the training institution and the industry, including the personnel involve in the program, and should be a part of the Memorandum of Agreement or Understanding, (MOA/MOU) that both parties will sign, in which a sample of these was provided for.

Roles/duties of the institution:

Issue policies favorable to work-based training;

Give full support and cooperation to work-based training;

Designate an industrial coordinator;

Initiate staff training; development of personnel involved in work-based training;

Coordinate with the private sector in order to make work-based training meaningful and fruitful;

Identify the skills actually needed or demanded by industry and match the skills offered by the institution;

Provide comprehensive theoretical training and simulation for the trainees; and

Organize industry partners.

Duties/Role of the Industry:

Provide Job orientation training;

Provide practical training in areas which have been determined these are: Activities within the training duration; and Distribution of trainees in the different department/division where training is necessary;

Appoint training coordinator who shall be responsible for the assignment designation of trainers/supervisors in their respective areas where the trainees will be assigned;

Provide training materials, tool/equipment during the training;

Remind supervisor about the work-based training activities;

Provide opportunity to learn by doing;

Provide trainees with professional skills, experience, techniques and behavior in the real life situations; and

Organize work-based training station and programs.

Duties/Roles of Industry Supervisor

Orients the trainees about company rules and regulations;
Provides guidance and support;
Ensures safe training environment and activities for the trainees;
Prepares accident report whenever trainees are involved and submit it to the company;
Endorses the trainees to proper training area;
Monitors Trainees Record Book;
Monitors the performance of the trainees, make recommendations concerning discipline;
Issues certificate of completion to student who successfully finish their training; and
Accomplish Performance Evaluation Report.

Duties/Roles of Trainees

Be physically fit for the work-based training;
Possesses the ability to comprehend and follow oral and written
instructions;
Exhibit proper discipline at all times;
Exhibit proper work habits and attitudes acceptable to the company;
Follow company rules and regulations;
Use only facilities allowed by the company to the trainees;
Be prompt and regular in attendance;
Be alert in following directions;
Cooperate with other trainees and industry supervisor;
Accomplish required forms;
Allow no instance for company to doubt honesty in workplace and company

A sample MOA / MOU can be found in pages 25 to 29 in the SWBL-CBLM that you can refer to when writing your own MOA / MOU.

In our next topic, I will try to cover the utilization of Training Needs Analysis Form and the development of a Training Plan that you can use as part of your portfolio requirements for this core competency.

Read: Training Needs Analysis Form

Should you have further questions, feel free to comment below. Till then, Cheers!

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