Rules/ Regulations/ assessment forms/assignments
- Introduction
-
Purpose of the practical training
-
Practical training period
-
Preparing for a practical training
-
Supervision
-
Feedback during the practical training
-
Assessment
-
School and insurance
-
Social benefits and financial assistance
for students
-
The trainee's legal status
-
Identification duty
-
Travelling expenses
-
Days off
-
Leave of absence and reporting ill
-
Longterm absence during the practical
training
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APPENDIX 1 Activities to be performed
-
APPENDIX 2 The study assignment on the
company in English
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APPENDIX 3 Assessment form
This information on practical training is meant for everyone that is involved in the preparation and/or execution of the practical training at the economics department.
This booklet deals with the educational objective of the practical training and in what way this objective can be met by all parties involved in this practical training, namely:
a. the organization that provides the trainee post;
b. the trainee and
c. Koning Willem I College, economics department. back to top
PURPOSE OF THE PRACTICAL TRAINING
In
general
The
practical training at the economics department has a vocational character. The
purpose of the practical training is to prepare the trainee for his/her future
job. At the end of the practical training the trainee is able to master the
job skills and attitude at a level of a starting professional. This
implies that during the practical training the trainee will have to perform
duties which belong to the essential part of the job for which he/she is being
trained. The trainee will also have to show that he/she is able to work at the
level indicated by the purposes of this practical training and that he/she will
participate in the organization as much as possible like a normal employee.
This in spite of the fact that the trainee does not have an employment agreement
with the employer.
So the practical training prepares for a future job. This means:
! the application of skills, job specific methods and/or techniques which are important for the performance of the job;
! under supervision acquiring a professional attitude and making his or herself familiar with it;
! integrated acting in job situations and
! getting
practical job experience.
Practical training also means participation in the labour relations.
This means:
! gaining experience in work, the labour organization and labour relations;
! further development of one's own initiative and independence;
! learning to be responsible;
! maintaining oneself in a work situation;
! building and handling (labour) relations with others and
! gaining an insight into one's own performance in social connections.
In general,
a number of purposes of practical training are the same for each course at the
department of commercial services. This is desirable because of the idea that
students at a senior secondary vocational education need to be trained broadly-based.
The above principles imply that for each course specific objectives (with regard
to the practical training) have been formulated that refer to the future job.
Because of the principles chosen, this also implies that the practical training
will take place towards the end of the course, for the student should first
have acquired specific knowledge and skills before being able to be trained
successfully.
specific
The
purposes of the practical training are stated in a list of activities that has
been subdivided into general activities and course specific activities.(appendix
1)
The trainee should preferably perform a task taken from each group of general activities. There is no need to perform all general activities, for, normally speaking, it is impossible to carry out all the activities mentioned, due to the available time or nature of the activities. It goes without saying that the course specific activities are the most important, for they are the tasks that can be seen as the essence of the job. So it is of the utmost importance that the trainee can carry out a variety of activities in order to get a picture as completely as possible of the future job.
In consultation with the employer (read: industrial counsellor), trainee and school (read: the teacher) these activities have to be recorded as a part of the practical training agreement (appendix 1).
The activities within the companies may differ a lot. So when choosing a trainee post, the school (read: practical training coordinator), therefore, decides what is acceptable yet and whether this trainee post offers possibilities enough to reach the formulated purposes of practical training. These purposes of practical training have an obligatory character for the trainee.
Appendix 1 should be handed in to the industrial counsellor and teacher well before the beginning of the practical training.
During the practical training weeks, the trainee should realise that there is a double relationship. On the one hand there is the school - student relationship and on the other hand a company - student relationship.
This implies
that he/she has to deal with new rules, arrangements etc. which he/she has to
abide by.
Moreover, from an educational point of view, socializing is very important.
PREPARING FOR A PRACTICAL TRAINING
choice of a trainee post
The trainee him/herself is responsible for finding a suitable trainee post!
In order
to fulfill a useful practical training, the trainee needs to have acquired specific
knowledge and skills. Therefore, preceding a practical training, each course
will pay attention to the practical component, consisting of simulated practice,
practical lessons, company visits, guest lectures etc.
The
preparation of a practical training starts well before the actual practical
training period. This file contains information on the practical training, so
save it and keep it at hand, because you will need it during the entire preparation
time and practical training period.
In
1996 and 1997, a number of companies had trainees from our school. So within
these companies they know what activities should be central. Should
you yourself know a trainee post where you can do your practical training then
you should keep in mind the following things:
! no single personal tie is allowed between the trainee and the company;
! the trainee is allowed to make his/her appointments or has the practical training coordinator make the first contacts by telephone for making the appointment;
! it
might happen that the practical training coordinator does not allow training
at the selected company. So consult beforehand!
List
your own wishes with regard to the trainee post. With
the help of the objectives of practical training and the activities the trainee
should work out what will be important for him/her during the practical training.
He/she must have clearly in mind what kind of company is to be preferred. However,
the trainee should bear in mind that - just like a real vacancy that you are
applying for - not all will be that what you thought it would be.
Appearance
and behaviour
The
trainee is expected to keep to the rules of the company. Should appearance and
behaviour not correspond with them, then the student is sent back to school
without delay and the industrial counsellor will contact the teacher or the
practical training coordinator.
The
selection procedure
You
can just walk into a company and ask if you can make an appointment for an interview.
Of course this can also be done by telephone or in writing.
With
the help of the theory which was taught during the Dutch classes, a letter can
be drawn up in which you apply for a trainee post.
If the student still does not have a trainee post 6 weeks before the beginning of the practical training, he or she should contact the practical training coordinator during that week.
When the industrial counsellor invites you for an interview, you will have to make sure to be punctual. Should the interview take place during schoolhours, you should ask for permission from the schoolboard.
Naturally, the school will instruct you on how to apply. In any case you need to be well prepared to explain why you would like to qualify for the trainee post.
During the interview arrangements will be made about the activities during the practical training and as a guideline you can consult these files.
As a result
of this interview the industrial counsellor decides whether you will be employed
as a trainee. Should the latter be the case, then the industrial counsellor
will be asked to read through the practical training agreement, to fill it in
in duplicate and sign it.
Do
not forget to sign it yourself.
The student will hand in the practical training agreement to the practical training coordinator. If he/she is not present, the agreement can be put into the green letterbox near the practical training office (A 0.20). back to top
During the practical training the trainee will deal with:
! an
industrial counsellor
this
is the person who is responsible for the supervision. In many cases this task
will be delegated to others in the company, who will supervise the trainee on
the shop floor. Still the industrial counsellor will be the head and in principle
he will have a talk with the trainee every week.
! teacher
he
or she is the first person to address: the link between school and company.
Well before the start of the practical training the trainee should contact the
teacher in order make arrangements. The teacher will assist the trainee during
the practical training, he/she will visit the company at least twice,
will be present at the assessment and will be kept posted on the progress. The
trainee will see to it that all forms and suchlike, which are meant for the
teacher, will be actually sent to him/her and that appointments will be kept
regarding feedback (by telephone).
! practical
training coordinator:
the
practical training coordinator will see to all matters that concern the organization
of the practical training. back
to top
FEEDBACK DURING THE PRACTICAL TRAINING
! Interview: between industrial counsellor and trainee.
! Discuss procedures: between industrial counsellor and teacher.
Before the start of the practical training, yet in the first week of the practical training at the latest, the teacher will verify (by telephone) with the industrial counsellor all the arrangements, which were made during the interview and which concern the activities. These arrangements concerning the activities should be handed in in writing by the trainee to the industrial counsellor and the teacher.
(See appendix 1!)
If necessary,
any questions from the industrial counsellor (e.g. about the assessment of the
various parts) will be explained by the teacher.
! Weekly meeting: between industrial counsellor
and trainee.
In
principle, a meeting between the industrial counsellor and the trainee will
take place at a fixed time every week. For each week, the activities performed
and those of the week to come will be dicussed.
The
trainee will fax/e-mail a report of all activities to the teacher at home every
two weeks. This report should be no more than 2 A4s.
! Final
meeting: between industrial counsellor, teacher and trainee.
This
meeting will take place in the last week or second to last. On the basis of
the assessment form the final assessment of the trainee is given.
back
to top
The assessment
of the practical training is very important: obtaining the certificate "Practical
Training and Simulated Practice" is determined by the results of the practical
training.
In
the end the practical training is assessed: a pass or unsatisfactory mark.
back
to top
The Koning Willem I College has taken out an accident insurance and a third-party insurance for the trainee.
We would like to point out to the company providing the practical training that the trainee must be reported at an industrial insurance board.
Students doing practical training are insured:
! during the period they are on the premises, as well as during the breaks;
! during leaving for and returning from their residential address and the company address.
In principle, this insurance covers them all over the world. An additional arrangement applies to the United States of America and Canada. Please contact the International Projects Manager of the Koning Willem I College when doing practical training abroad.
In principle the insurance taken out is incidental, i.e. the insurance only settles the claim if there is no other insurance covering.
dealing
with damages
If
damage has been caused by a student during his/her practical training, the Insurance
Department of the Koning Willem I College must be informed. The case will be
submitted to the insurer. If the damage is ineligible for payment by the insurance
of the Koning Willem I College, then a clear indication will be given for other
possibilities of compensation. back
to top
SOCIAL BENEFITS AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS
(as from August 1996)
During their practical training students are insured under the WAO (Disablement Insurance Act)
If students live in the Netherlands they are also insured under the AOW (Old Age Pensions Law)
AKW (General Family Allowances Act)
ANW (General Surviving Relative Law)
AWBZ (General Law on Specific Medical Expenses), and
AAW (General Disablement Act).
If a student receives an allowance that does not exclusively consist of receiving training (free board and lodging included), then the student is also insured under the Health Law and National Health Service.
If this is the case, the student had better contact his/her own medical insurance to see what arrangements can be made in order to prevent not being insured or being double insured.
An employment contract is according to article 1637a of the Civil Code: "The agreement in which the one party, the employee, undertakes the service of the other party, the employer, in order to work for wages during a certain period".
We can only talk of an employment contract if three requirements have been met,
a. relation of authority, b. wages, and c. labour.
With regard to the insurance, there is indeed a matter of an employer/employee relation - even without a financial compensation -, in which the employer is first of all (primary) responsible for the damage caused by the trainee to third parties or the company providing the practical training. The school will only be liable for damages if the company providing the practical training is not or not sufficiently insured (secondary and damage done to the company providing the practical training to a maximum of NLG 25,000.00). For instance own risk can be thought of.
The relation of authority between the company and the trainee has been deduced from the relation school - student. Any financial allowance does not qualify as wages. There is no need to include the trainee into the wages administration with regard to taxes.
The company providing the practical training may reimburse travelling expenses (up to the amount of the fixed reimbursements) and any other real expenses.
We would advise you not to conclude an employment contract with the trainee.
Agreements
with regard to practical training are made between the companies and the trainees,
in which (often very concisely) the rights and duties of the company and the
trainee are regulated.
NOTE: If
there are elements in the programme that have the character of productive labour,
this will not matter, if it has to do with the practical training itself, but
it should not be the aim.
Since 1 June 1994, The Netherlands have the Law on the Identification Duty (WID). The aim of this law is combatting fraud and crime. Trainees as well have to submit to this law. Legal identity cards are the Dutch passport and the tourist card (not a driving licence). Before the start of the practical training, the trainee should hand in a photocopy of a valid ID -card to the industrial counsellor.
Students that have a Students' Annual Season Ticket [OV-jaarkaart] are expected to use it. Otherwise the arrangement mentioned below will be applied:
! The reimbursement of travelling expenses is for the trainee and needs not be paid back to school as a remuneration, and
! The student him/herself is resonsible for finding a trainee post. Therefore all the travelling expenses and subsistence from and to the trainee post are at the student's own expense.
In principle the trainee has no right to days off.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND REPORTING ILL
In the event of illness or absence for other reasons, the trainee informs both the industrial counsellor and the practical training coordinator.
This must be done before starting that particular practical training day.
The telephone number of the secretary of the department of commercial services is:
(073) 624 9 652. She will inform the practical training coordinator.
LONGTERM ABSENCE DURING THE PRACTICAL TRAINING
If the occasion arises, the practical training coordinator will present an adequate solution in consultation with the company.
APPENDIX 1 ACTIVITIES TO BE PERFORMED
NAME: ______________________________________________________ CLASS: _____
General activities |
- correspondence/filing/mailing |
- telephoning/customer service/ordering/complaint handling |
- market research |
- attending meetings |
- writing reports |
- general administrative work |
Course specific activities for Marketing & Communication |
- designing/writing brochures/forms etc. |
- writing press releases/articles/manuals etc. |
- giving presentations (powerpoint) |
- organizing events |
- compiling information folders/making a collection of press cuttings |
- writing scripts for presentations, meetings, parties, excursions etc. |
- Every year the course specific assignments differ. Make sure you have the specific assignments handed out by your teachers!! |
APPENDIX 2 The study assignment on the company/institution in either English/ German/Spanish/French. (Only for trainees that do their workstudy abroad.)
This study assignment has to be neatly typed out and has to contain the following.
1. Personal data (name, address, school, course).
2. General information on the company providing trainee post.
3. History of the company providing practical training.
5. Products and/of services of the company.
6. Organigram and
7. Own activities and first impressions of the company.
Department Marketing & Communication
Koning Willem I College Telephone: 031(0)73 624 97 94
Telefax: (073) 624 96 29
NAME: _________________________________________ CLASS: _____
ITEMS TO BE ASSESSED MARKS ACHIEVED
(rounded marks 1-10)
• A) ACTIVITIES
! the general activities performed _____
! course specific activities performed _____
! (any) various activities that are of importance to the company _____
! (any) assignments of the company providing trainee post _____
average
score _____
•
B) PROFESSIONAL ATTITUDE _____
FINAL
GRADE PRACTICAL TRAINING _____ (A and B are in proportion)
Date: _____________________________
Signatures Industrial counsellor/ Teacher/ Trainee
_____________________________________________________________
Note:
Should
there be any disagreement among the parties, then the practical training coordinator
will make a decision, after having heard the other parties.
Should the trainee disagree with this decision, then he/she can appeal to the
Chairman of the Exam Committee.
The above assessment of the practical training is only valid if all parties
have signed in agreement.
The above survey should be kept at school!