Trust

Academy
In collaboration with

Midlands State University

Work Related Learning

Employer’s Manual

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 INDEX

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 THE VISION 1

1.2 MISSION STATEMENT 2

1.3 VALUES AND CORE VALUES 2

2.0 WORK RELATED LEARNING OBJECTIVES 3

3.0 EXPECTATIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES 3

4.0 VISITS BY ACADEMIC SUPERVISORS 5

5.0 THE REPORT 6

6.0 THE CONTRACT 7

APPENDIX 1 8

APPENDIX 2 9

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

Trust Academy
Trust Academy was established in 1994 and is registered in terms of the Manpower
Development Act 1986 with both the Ministry of Higher and Tertiary Education and the
Ministry of Education Sports and Culture. Trust Academy provides superior tuition
services for academic, professional and continuous development courses. Trust
Academy is a private college with branches in Harare and Mutare. Strategically
located within the central business districts, Trust Academy campuses are easily
accessible; provide secure parking and an environment conducive for lectures and
studying. Today, Trust Academy is the leading private educational institution with the
largest student enrolment on professional courses.

Trust Academy is a dynamic college committed to serving the secondary and tertiary
education needs of Zimbabwe. As a private, nonsectarian, co-educational institution
with a strong customer focus, Trust Academy is known for its high tuition quality
delivery systems on all certificates, diplomas and associate degrees courses through
day, evening, and weekend classes

1.1 VISION

It is the College’s collective aspiration that by the year 2020, Trust Academy will be
known as the leader in preparing learners for career success and a lifelong
commitment to a civic and sustainable future in Zimbabwe, the region, and the
world. This is summarised by our vision ‘to be the leading educational and training
institution in the provision of quality academic, professional, continuous development
programmes and services’.

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1.2 MISSION STATEMENT

Trust Academy is a customer-oriented organisation that offers quality academic,

professional, continuous development programmes and services that enhance the
personal growth, career development and corporate performance of our customers. The
College commits itself to delivering high standards of education and training through
provision of quality methods of instruction, appropriate human, technological and related
support resources. Trust Academy graduands, products and services, positively
contribute to economic development and improved standard of living.

It is in line with the vision and mission that students are sent on Work-Related Learning
experience for a full academic year during level three of their degree programme. As an
associate of Midlands State University we envisage that success of programmes at our
institution depends on effective placement of students to actual work places. We also
subscribe to the notion that the best place to practice swimming is in the water hence
the need for Work-Related Learning experience. However if students are not
supervised effectively, Work-Related Learning will not have the desire effects.

1.3 VALUES AND CORE VALUES

Work-Related Learning is the integration of theory and practice in the working

environment where students are supposed to have hands on experience. It is an
attempt to broaden learning experiences and to place subjects in real world
situations. Work-Related Learning is viewed as one of the most important
requirements that must be fulfilled by the student to be able to pass any of the
degree programmes offered by the University.

During the placement period students aim to develop their intellectual and practical
skills. The emphasis is on the practical application, evaluation and enhanced
appreciation of theories, issues and techniques learned at the College/University.

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We rely upon employers to provide work experience compatible with the student’s
level of knowledge, experience and expectations.

2.0 WORK-RELATED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

2.1 To apply theory into practice in a work environment.

2.2 To carry out research activities that will benefit industry/commerce and
the University.

2.3 Develop a liaison between industry and commerce and the University.

3.0 Have hands on experience.

3.0 EXPECTATIONS / RESPONSIBILITIES

A. The student on work-related learning is expected to:

1. Complete the student orientation form within the first week of placement (see
appendix 1).
2. Organize with the placement organisation/ company for an outline
programme of the jobs/activities/training, etc that the student will be required
to complete during the six (6) months of the placement period.
3. Write factual reports covering essential elements addressed by the section on
reports below, immediately prior to or during the academic supervisor’s visits.
This should be done in consultation with the work supervisor.
4. Be ready to discuss and/ or report the progress of Work-Related Learning
Project with the academic supervisor.
5. Satisfactorily complete work experience, and should in no way absent himself
/ herself from work, or fail to accomplish set tasks without reasonable
excuses.

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6. Approach work diligently, take responsibility and display willingness to use
initiative/ creativity.
7. Act within the rules and regulations or terms and conditions of employment
laid down by the placement institution.
8. Act within the rules and regulations governing undergraduate students of the
Midlands State University.
9. Take reasonable care of own health and safety and the health and safety of
other people who may be affected by the student’s actions.
10. Respect the confidentiality of the placement organisation / company and the
Midlands State University and ethical considerations in general.
11. Keep the faculty, through the relevant department informed of any problems
relating to the placement programme which cannot be resolved at local
levels, and should not give notice to, or quit the placement
company/organisation without prior notification to the relevant department.
12. Notify the relevant department of any significant changes in the placement
programme e.g. relocation of the placement institution or any development or
emergency that can affect the smooth running of the placement programme.
13. Communicate to the relevant department any significant matters that may
arise, not already covered by this guide.
14. Be an ambassador of the Department, Faculty and the Midlands State
University at large.
15. Avoid labour politics at the placement institution.
16. A student who is disciplined at work will also face disciplinary action at the
University.

B. The Institution accommodating the student for work-related learning is

expected to:
1. Complete the student placement form, prior to visits by the academic
supervisor (see appendix 2).
2. Assign a member of the company/ organisation to act as the student’s work
supervisor.

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 3. Avail, to the student, information on the institution’s code of conduct/
regulations.
4. Ensure that they are given necessary documentation within a week of Work-
Related Learning period to enable them to complete the student orientation
form (see appendix 2).
5. Acknowledge receipt of a copy of the report from the student by signing at the
final page of each report submitted to the University.
6. May return a copy of the report.
7. Notify the Work-Related Learning office/department of any significant
changes in the placement programme e.g. relocation of the placement
company/organisation or any development or emergency that can affect the
placement programme
8. Communicate to the work related learning office/ department any significant
matters that may arise, not covered in this guide.
9. Permission should be granted to the student to carry out research in the
organisation.

4.0 VISITS BY ACADEMIC SUPERVISORS

A visiting academic supervisor (a member of the academic staff of Trust
Academy or the Midlands State University) shall visit the company at least once
during the placement period. During the visit, the academic supervisor will talk to
both the student and the supervisor assigned by the employing company/
organisation. The purpose of these visits is to maintain contact with the student
and the company/organisation and to assess overall performance and progress.
Regular contacts are also enhanced by phone, fax or email.
NB* Students who, for one reason or the other, are visited only once are still
expected to meet all other requirements contained herein.

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5.0 THE REPORT
The Student is required to write a report during his/her work-related learning
programme. He/she should write the report in consultation with the person at the
company/organisation responsible for his/her training and check with them that
the company would have no objection on confidentiality grounds. If there is
confidential information in the report the student should tell the academic
supervisor and mark the report confidential on the outside cover.

The report should capture the following details:

1. Describe and analyse the institution’s
a. Historical development
b. Mission statement and declared objectives
2. Outline the work-placement company/organisation in terms of its
operations. Consider the following :
a. The principal services and characteristics
b. The main markets/community/audience/clients serviced and their
characteristics.
3. Outline the work-placement company/organizational structure,
specifying the department or section in which the work experience is
being undertaken.
4. Describe and analyse the work roles, tasks, and responsibilities of the
work experience.
5. Identify special opportunities and the means adopted for exploiting and
overcoming these during the period under review.
6. Describe and analyse the operations of the company/ organisation,
examining its successes and challenges (Measure this against the
company/organisation’s mission statement and declared objectives).
7. Assess the community/market/audience/clients/public’s perception of
the institution and its operations.

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 8. Identify and analyse any differences between the diploma programme
in terms of the theory studied, and the placement
company/organisation in terms of operational practices perceived.

NB* The student is required to produce in duplicate the work-related

learning report (one to be retained by the host company/organisation and
the other to be sent to the University academic supervisor), duly signed by
the employer/supervisor.

6.0 THE CONTRACT

The College/University would be extremely grateful for any assistance offered to
the students at the discretion of the placement company/organisation.
The employer should provide a safe working environment.

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 Appendix 1
TRUST ACADEMY in collaboration with MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
Work-Related Learning Student Placement Form
(NB* This Form should be completed in triplicate)

Student Reg. No:

Surname:
First Name:
National I.D. No:
Faculty:
Programme:
Contact Address:

Telephone:
E-mail address:

Name of Company/Organisation:
Physical Address:
Telephone: Fax:
Work-Related Learning Supervisor:
Email Address:
Contact Telephone: Send to:
The HOD Business
E-mail Address:
School
This is to confirm that the above Student started Work-Related Trust Academy
P.O. Box CY2201
Learning this day of 20 Causeway
Harare

Signature: Tel(263) 4
790988/790984
Human Resources Manager/Supervisor Fax (263) 4 790996

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 Appendix 2
TRUST ACADEMY in collaboration with MIDLANDS STATE UNIVERSITY
Work-Related Learning Student Orientation Form

Article i. (This form to be filled in Triplicate and forwarded to Work-Related Learning Office)
Name of student:
Reg No:
Placement Company/Organisation: .............

Commencement Date:
The following items should be included in the student’s orientation into the work placement
company/organisation, preferably on the student’s first day. Please tick to check off the items below
when they occur, within one week of commencement date, inform your work supervisor of any items
not covered. The list is not exhaustive and other topics may be added.

7.1 Task 7.2 Yes / No 7.3 Date

1. Introduction to Key Staff Members
2. Allocation of work Supervisor
3. Location of crucial facilities e.g. toilet, library/resources
centre, function rooms/halls, canteens etc.
4. General familiarisation of institution
5. Dress code
6. Code of conduct/rules
7. Operation/use of key equipment, e.g.
Photocopier/duplicator, computer, telephone, fax
machine etc.
8. Health and safety issues
Other issues
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
(v)

Work Supervisor Signature: Date:

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