Organizational and employee interests in programs of work based learning

Abstract

Work based programs of study are being constructed between universities and organizations, increasingly in the UK. This article explores some of the tensions between the organization and individual employees in gaining benefit from the programs. The article draws on evidence from individual employees and managers of two university centers that run work based programs. Individual employees were found to gain considerable benefit from the programs although there were sometimes tensions about the nature of their studies. Organizations gained short‐term benefits and it was suggested that greater benefit could be gained if they managed the knowledge in their organizations more effectively.