Student preparedness for work-integrated learning in biomedical technology: student perspective

Abstract

Background: Work-integrated learning (WIL) is one of the key tools for developing graduate attributes for the world of work. There is a paucity of published data which ascertains the degree to which students in the biomedical technology programme are prepared for undertaking WIL. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the degree of work preparedness through a descriptive analysis of the perceptions of students regarding WIL and their experiences thereof.
Methods: The tools consisted of a survey questionnaire (Likert scale 1–5) and open-ended questions which were conducted around the following areas: orientation to the workplace, training at the University of Technology, organisation structure and culture, as well as knowledge.
Results: Data from 28 participants were surveyed. The Cronbach’s alpha showed an overall reliability score of an excellent degree of internal consistent scoring for the variables under study. The main findings in this study were that biomedical technology students were generally satisfied with the WIL orientation and the workplace orientation programme. Inadequate theoretical background of the profession/discipline and disjuncture between content taught at the university and what students were exposed to at the workplace emerged as the main concerns.
Conclusion: This study investigated student preparedness for WIL and adds impetus to involvement of industry stakeholders in all aspects of the curriculum.