Understanding Learner's Conceptions of Work-Based Learning Pathways to Design Effectives Curricula

This paper describes a part of my Ph.D. research related to the point of view of the students involved in work-based learning paths. The dissemination of work-based learning methologies has been and is at the heart of the most significant European recommendations relating to education and training. The European Commission documents particularly insist on need to improve the attractiveness of VET, in the forms of apprenticeship and traineships , hence the need to oversee the issue of "Quality Assurance" of the forms of teaching and tutorship applied to VET. Therefore quality of WBL is a central aspect for improving the quality of education and vocational training. Within this scenario it is crucial to understand learner’s perceptions of their work based learning experience such as: relationship with the teacher and with the company tutor, the ability of self-orientation, the acquisition of soft skills through work, etcc. This in order to design more effectives curricula that can facilitate difficult school-work transitions giving them an integral education that combine knowledge, technical skills and soft skills.