Learning from Industry and Employment

The focus of this chapter is on the learning benefits of activities outside the lecture hall centred on the world of work. In particular we examine the merits of a period of industrial placement and propose a model for its successful integration into the syllabus. Apart from providing practical experience with particular laboratory techniques, industrial placement has considerable potential to develop a broad range of personal skills which are difficult to incorporate into a conventional academic course. Anecdotal evidence presented here indicates that students recognize the value of industrial placement even several years after completing their studies.