Promoting Student Training The Directory of Student Training Opportunities

Promoting Student TrainingThe Directory of Student Training Opportunities

Julie BarrattDirector CIEH Wales Cyfawyddwraig yng Nghymru, Sefydliad Siartredig Iechyd yr Amgylchedd

The challenges (1)

• Financial pressures on students – need to get training out of the way as quickly as possible

• Budget pressures on local authorities – training budgets often the most vulnerable

• Fewer authorities offering funded placements, some not training students at all

The Challenges (2)

• Expanding job market for EHPs means that local authority experience may be of limited value in ‘real’ world

• Splitting of EH departments – full suite of training opportunities may not be available within a local authority

• Need to keep practical training a high quality and valuable learning experience

Meeting the Challenge

• A depository for a broad range of single training opportunities.

• Students can access without being tied to any local authority

• Practical training can be started and continued at time to suit students

• Web based for ease of access

The mechanics

• Most work is in the set up

• Needs one collator and lots of collaborators

• Use of standard templates – makes it easy to participate

• Simple update mechanism – limits on going work (and cost)

Intervention Area Housing / Food Safety / Environmental Protection, Health & Safety / Health Promotion and Development / Miscellaneous

Nature of Training Opportunity

Description of nature of opportunity – Visit to Nuclear Power Plant , Inspection of Bakery etc

Training Outcome Description of what student will see, learn, do etc – as per the Experiential Learning Grid requirements

Name of Training Provider

Contact Name, address, telephone number and email address

Learning Period required Periods from ½ day to 6 months

Precluded dates Trainers can specify dates when training will not

be available – typically weeks before and after Christmas and month of August

Specific requirements Items such as water proof clothing , Wellingtons etc, or pre-reading of strategy documents or legislation

Group Visit? *

Additional comments Any further relevant comments from training provider – e.g. timing of visit dependant in tide times etc

Linked Visits Other training opportunities in the DSTO from the same training provider

Addressing the criticisms –Local Authorities will be swamped

• Control of student numbers rests with training provider

• Training provider defines time required for training opportunity

• Training provider can advise student that not convenient to take them if approached

• Training limited to the opportunity described – not open ended

Addressing the Criticisms –Does not address the Funding Issues

• As Range and Choice of training opportunities increases, less dependence on LA paid placements

• Paid 12 month placements becomes 2 x 6 month paid placements

• Non LA providers giving funded placements – Iceland, Lloyds Pharmacy etc

• Fairer and more equitable?

Where next?

• Increase the range and choice of training opportunities

• Arrange training exchanges – Wales and Northern Ireland

? Quality Assess the training provided?

? Make the DSTO a CPD Opportunities Directory?