The acronym for the project Framework derives from

F ramework for the preparation,
R ecognition,
A ssessment,
M entoring, and
E valuation of the
WORK Placement Period in Higher Education

This project has evolved from needs identified by Businet members through consultation with students and employers. The aim of the project is to research, and develop an appropriate strategy for Businet for the establishment and introduction of a standard process for the, accreditation and recognition of work-based learning within a European Network of Institutes of Higher Education.

In doing so the organisation has sought to reflect contemporary thinking in Europe, regarding work based learning, and to encourage members to focus upon the Lisbon goal of making Europe the most competitive and dynamic knowledge-based society in the world; an aspiration articulated by Viviane Reding, Commissioner for Education of the European Europe at the EU Lisbon Conference. In particular Businet has recognised that the developments they seek to achieve are driven by the desire to achieve the highest level of quality in the provision of placements.

The justification for this project has emerged from various sources. These are;

• Businet members involved in mobility projects.
• Current placement organisations, through formal and informal feedback mechanisms.
• Student evaluations - through formal and informal feedback mechanisms.
• Current political and educational thinking on student mobility and work based learning.

The Framework project aims to provide a quality framework to underpin the learning experience of students working in an industrial placement. In summary the needs the project seeks to address are;

The tangible result of the project will be the design and implementation of a number of integrated work packages, which form the content of the Framework project. Collectively these packages will support and deliver work-based learning within the curriculum in a way that will maximise the learning potential available to students in work placement. In summary these packages are:

• A database of work-based learning opportunities for students, providing rich detail of work role and organisational setting. Format: electronic/web-based. Accessed as part of work placement preparation, and managed through personal development plan. Academic mentor overseeing the process. Database language: pilot English; full implementation French, Spanish, German.
• The personal development plan. An individual student portfolio documenting preparation strategies, reflections on learning and skills, audits and assessments.
  Format: e-based and compiled by student over duration of programme within a system supported by academic mentor. Workplace mentor involved in workplace skills assessment of student. PDP language: pilot English; full implementation French, Spanish, German.
• A mentor package, providing workplace mentors with a self-managed training tool to develop mentoring competencies. The package is designed to enhance the quality of support and development offered to work placement students, and to provide managerial development for mentors.
  Format: electronic/e-learning. Language: pilot English; thereafter French, Spanish and German versions. A complementary professional qualification in mentoring can be completed by the mentor.
• Cultural, social and organisational preparation packages for use by students to develop their awareness of the cultural climate of the country of their placement organisation. Packages will cover the UK, Austria, France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Slovenia and Cyprus.
  Format: electronic/e-learning. Language: pilot in English for all packages; thereafter French, Spanish and German versions for each package. Use of packages documented in personal development plan. Self study methodology.
• An appraisal package, providing prospective placement students with an opportunity to develop understanding of exposure to appraisal in placement organisations.
  Format: electronic/e-learning. Language: pilot English; thereafter French, Spanish and German versions. Use of package documented in personal development plan. Self study methodology.
• An ECTS teaching qualification validated by a professional body to accredit the successful competition of a work placement.A mentoring qualification validated by a professional body to accredit the achievement of competencies in mentoring.