The aim of this module is provide students with experience of an industrial environment and to assess operational aspects of the company, its products, working practices, and management structures, also to work as a normal exployee to develop a range of skills and knowledge required for a company.

The specific aims are: to have an appreciation of: -
Management and organisational structure of the company.
Principal roles of company personnel.
Strategic plans (as published).
Processes for ordering goods etc.
Processes for processing orders etc.
Financial controls that are in place to ensure that costs are controlled.
The company’s accounts.
Decision making processes within the company.
Processes function in the company to ensure delivery of quality in services or products.
Any ethical policies.
Sustainability of product lines or services.

To develop a range of practical skills. Students should gai n where appropriate: -
Hands on experience of manufacturing products or services. Organising paper work
Setting realistic deadlines with the expectation to deliver on time.

To develop general Transferable Skills
Effective communication (written, audio and visual)
Able to work in a team towards a common goal
Develop leadership skills
Managing of time and resources
Enhanced ability to self learn

(LO1) To gain experience of a working environment

(LO2) To gain knowledge of the organizational structure of a company

(LO3) To understand the working practices of a company

(LO4) To organize paperwork related to employment and relevant employment legislation.

(S1) Business and customer awareness basic understanding of the key drivers for business success – including the importance of innovation and taking calculated risks – and the need to provide customer satisfaction and build customer loyalty

(S2) Positive attitude/ self-confidence A 'can-do' approach, a readiness to take part and contribute; openness to new ideas and the drive to make these happen

(S3) Self-management readiness to accept responsibility (i.e. leadership), flexibility, resilience, self-starting, initiative, integrity, willingness to take risks, appropriate assertiveness, time management, readiness to improve own performance based on feedback/reflective learning

This module contains the generic work experience elements of the second year placement for a 2 year MSc(Eng) degree programme.

The students on placement should learn about the general organisational structure of the company, how it reports financial data, how it manages people and performance and how it complies with legal requirements such a risk assessment, ethical approval, etc.

It is important for the student to work as a normal employee of a company to complete the tasks given by the line manager with good attendance for a minimun period of 30 weeks.

Teaching Method 1 - Work Placement
Description: The module will be one element of an industrial placement and it will be situated at the premises of the placement provider.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: The attendance record of the student should be deemed satisfactory by the placement provider.

Teaching Method 2 - Portfolio
Description: A dozier of information required for assessment should be collated.
Attendance Recorded: Yes
Notes: Submission of a single portfolio (may be electronic submission) containing the following (personal and/or confidential information may be reacted from the submission):

1) Contract of employment.

2) Evidence of at least 30 weeks placement with the company (e.g. timesheets, payslips. letter from line manager).

3) Copy of companies policy on risk assessment for Health and Safety regulations.

4) Either evidence that student has followed risk assessment policy or letter from line manager to the effect that no risk assessment was required.

5) Copy of companies policy on ethical approval.

6) Either evidence that student has followed ethical approval policy or letter from line manager to the effect that no ethical approval was required.

7) Copy of company policy on performance management and/or performance appraisal.

8) Either evidence that student has followed performance appraisal procedures or letter from line manager to the effect that no appraisal was required.

9) Organizational chart of the company i.e. who reports to who.

10) Recent publically available financial results of the company.

11) Weekly log book initialled by line manager
Unscheduled Directed Student Hours (time spent away from the timetabled sessions but directed by the teaching staff): 10