Work Based Experience

This report focuses on work based learning and its benefits. It explores the tasks, responsibilities, and constraints involved in work experience. The report also discusses the importance of prioritizing tasks and responsibilities, and provides a plan for work experience. It concludes with recommendations for improvement and evaluation of own performance.

Work Based Experience
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Research and evaluate suitable organizations that can provide industry experience............3
1.2 Negotiate with work and academic supervisors a proposal for the work experience............4
1.3 Business constraints on the work experience........................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Prioritizing the tasks and responsibilities involved in the work experience..........................6
2.2 Plan for work experience.......................................................................................................6
2.3 Benefits of proposed activity to learner and organization.....................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Fulfil specified requirement of placement conforming to all related codes of practices.......9
3.2 Systematic records of challenges work experience undertaken.............................................9
3.3 Revise the initial plan..........................................................................................................10
3.4 Suggestions for improvement..............................................................................................11
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Monitor progress against the original proposal...................................................................11
4.2 Evaluate quality of own performance..................................................................................12
4.3 The learning which has take during the work experience using suitable reflections..........13
4.4 Recommendations in how the experience could have been enhanced................................13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
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INTRODUCTION
Work based learning is considered as a kind of learning style in which professionals gain
skills and knowledge at the workplace. It helps in performance improvement of employees by
providing better learning about diverse subjects. It is also beneficial for them to gain the growth
opportunities for successful future. In other aspect, situation where professionals have learning
about work activities through evaluating experience at the workplace is considered as work
based learning (Marquis, 2009). It means that it is significant for individuals to attain better
experience in order to grab the future career opportunities.
In order to have better understanding about the subject, learning will focus on work
culture of Thomas Cook PLC. It will focus on effective evaluation of travel and tourism sector so
that better experience can be attained in order to meet the set goals and objectives effectually. It
will also provide better understanding about the specific requirement of placement. Work based
experience at Thomas Cook PLC will also be identified by focusing on systematic records of
work undertaken. Furthermore, learning about significance of monitoring and own performance
evaluation will be the key aspect of report.
TASK 1
1.1 Research and evaluate suitable organizations that can provide industry experience
Thomas Cook PLC is considered as one of the leading business entities in travel and
tourism sector. Company has its operations in number of nations that enhance their business
opportunities in the global context. Organisation is offering its services to different segments that
enhance the scope of business activities (Sarcone, 2008). Furthermore, it offers a wide range of
services in context to sector such as tour plans, airline, accommodation, etc. Main objective of
company is to satisfy customers by serving them with the best quality of products and services.
Management of Thomas Cook PLC is more focused towards participative leadership
style that allows members to have effective sharing of information for sustainable development.
It has direct impact on the employees' morale which facilitates in effective accomplishment of
decision making process (Capistrano, 2013). Members are also attracted towards collective
working at every level that also boosts the opportunities for organisation in international
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competitive market. Training and development sessions are also being organised by the
management to make sure that the employees are having enhanced level of information with
regard to operations. It is beneficial for the skills and efficiency development of them which
leads business to attain higher level of success. Involvement of management in group activities
also motivate workforce to have efforts in the productive manner so that goals and objectives can
be accomplished in an optimistic form (Davies, 2013). Communication aspects are properly
maintained within organisation that enhances the positivity among employees and helps in
adopting change management activities effectively. Members of Thomas Cook PLC also ensure
that the resources are well allocated so that each department can contribute in achieving mission
and objectives equally. It clearly indicates that the firm is looking forward to have sustainable
development in order to attain competitive advantage so that business can achieve higher profits
in the market.
1.2 Negotiate with work and academic supervisors a proposal for the work experience
In order to have effective acquisition of the experience, it is essential for individuals to
have better participation in the organisational activities. It is because; learning can be improved
through work based experience which also has a direct positive influence on the skills and
abilities of employees. There are number of methods that can be accessed in order to have better
relations with organisation for the acquisition of experience.
Company website: It is a source that provides learning about organisation and makes
understand the nature of business in an appropriate manner. In other words, negotiation of the
proposal regarding work experience can be accomplished by visiting the official website of
Thomas Cook PLC (Whittaker, 2011). With the help of this, information about vacant job
positions can be accessed so that individuals can have skills development in that respect.
Recruitment agencies: It is considered as an effective method for contacting the
organization. Thomas Cook PLC is one of the leading international tour plan companies. It is
engaged with diverse recruitment agencies in order to have effective selection of candidates. It
means that the individual can also have enrolment with agencies in order to have contact with
Thomas Cook PLC.
As per the negotiation, it is one of the key responsibilities of the supervisor of Thomas
Cook PLC to provide guidelines among subordinates regarding resource management. It will
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allow having improvement in services and meeting the customer needs in an appropriate manner
by avoiding various operational issues (Davies, 2013). Negotiation has also indicated that to gain
better work experience, certain skills need to be developed. Classification of skills can be like
time management and problem solving. With an assistance of time management activities,
individuals can easily manage workforce activities so that goals and objectives can be
accomplished in the desired manner. Problem solving skills is beneficial to have identification of
ways through which issues can be overcome effectually.
1.3 Business constraints on the work experience
Business constraints may be defined as the limitation factors that will directly affect the
performance of individuals that directly results in non achievement of the business goals. In
addition to this, work based experience is the factor that helps in reducing the effect of
constraints in an organisation. In this respect, it is necessary for the management of Thomas
Cook PLC to have effective identification of employee’s needs so that existing issues can be
resolved (Argote and Miron-Spektor, 2011)). Management needs to provide training to the
employees with regard to their job. Employees must have proper awareness about the job roles
and responsibilities. With an assistance of training, individuals can perform number of activities
along with ensuring about the issue or problem. In order to have low cost of training, human
resource department must have professionals who can provide training to the candidates.
Another business constraint on the work experience includes customer satisfaction. Key
motive of Thomas Cook PLC is to provide high quality of services to the customers so that they
can attain higher level of satisfaction. For example, the professional is assigned a work to design
specific tour plan for particular segment. In this situation, if employee does not have proper
information in regard to the essential skills then it might be possible that the customer
satisfaction may get influenced in the negative manner (Ruysseveldt, 2014). It clearly indicates
that the management must ensure that customer satisfaction is considered in accurate manner so
that goals and objectives can also be accomplished effectively. Moreover, the workload is also a
business constraints so management of Thomas Cook PLC need to manage effectively for long
term goals (Boud, Cohen and Sampson, 2014). For example, in summer the customer demand is
high in context to tour plans. It means the workforce need to deal with wide range of customers
in short time period which may enhance the work for managers. In this aspect, it is significant for
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management to ensure that the proper assistance is being provided so that work can be managed
effectively along with focusing on accomplishing different needs of customer.
TASK 2
2.1 Prioritizing the tasks and responsibilities involved in the work experience
In order to meet the key needs of customers, it is necessary for the manager of Thomas
Cook PLC to have prioritize of task and responsibilities. It is also beneficial to gain better work
experience, classification of activities can be as follows:
Specific hours: It is necessary for manager of Thomas Cook PLC to have prioritize of
work activities as per key needs. The work hours must be allocated in appropriate manner so that
task can be completed as per the capability of the individual (Argote and Miron-Spektor, 2011).
Daily: As per the detailed study, there are few tasks that manager of Thomas Cook PLC
need to perform on daily basis, these activities are referred as day to day actions. It is significant
for manager to have effective management of staff members. Communication must be
appropriate so that activities can be managed effectively (Savery, 2015). Classification of
activities can be allocation of work to members, supervision, etc.
Monthly routine: Manager can also prioritize the work activities on the monthly basis.
For example, the distribution of tour plans and rewarding the employee of month. These kinds of
activities are need to be performed once in a month.
However, while having an prioritize of activities the manager must consider roles and
responsibilities in appropriate manner so that goals and objectives can be accomplished in
desired form (Argote and Miron-Spektor, 2011). It is essential for manager to design priority list
as per ensuring that the urgent task are ranked prior as compared to general one's. Checklist and
time table design are most essential aspect of the process and helps in sustainable development.
2.2 Plan for work experience
Schedule of task Date Duration Input from supervisor
Higher Diploma in
tour planning
21 June, 2016 6 months With an improved focus on higher
diploma in tour planning will
enhance my learning about sector. It
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will also assist me in effective
development of the tour plan.
Information and knowledge about
tour activities can be enhanced by
accomplishing course work. Further
it will help me to develop more
effective and result oriented
strategies (Boud, Cohen and
Sampson, 2014).
Communications skills
workshops
21 June, 2016 15 days In order to have effective
identification of customer needs, it
is significant for me to have proper
learning about communication
aspects. It will assist me in
interacting with customers so that
goals and objectives can be
accomplished effectively. Effective
communication skills enhances my
motivation so that better
coordination between me and my
colleagues can be attained for
sustainable development.
Time management
methods
26 June, 2016 3 months Thomas Cook PLC manager has to
deal with number of activities in day
to day dealings. It means the work
activities need to be managed
effectively so with an assistance of
time management methods the key
aspects can be accomplished
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(Ruysseveldt, 2014). Time
management allows to develop skills
that helps in managing work which
will increase my productivity.
Leadership Workshops 26 June, 2016 15 days In order to have sustainable
development the management of
team members and work allocation
need to be consider in effective
manner. It is significant for me to
provide guidance to members so that
work activities can be completed in
accordance with standards. By
attending leadership workshops I
will be able to learn different type of
Leadership skills. It will assist me to
manage team and lead business to
success.
2.3 Benefits of proposed activity to learner and organization
As per the structured study, there are number of benefits that business and learner can
attain by having focus on proposed activity. With an improved focus on proposed plan the cost
saving methods can be identified in appropriate manner so that performance can also be
improved. For example, the time management has allowed to implement activities in desired
form which has provided proper allocation of resources. It will cut down the cost of operational
activities which may lead business to impressive level of success (Henderson., 2015). The
benefit of the proposed activities to the business is that it allow the organization to carry out the
more tasks in regard to the tour. It is beneficial to have advancement in profit margin ratio along
with long term goals. With an assistance of communication skills development the business
needs and customer expectations can be identified effectively. It will assist in effective designing
of activities that can meet these aspects on appropriate manner.
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On the other side, the proposed activities also provides benefits to the individual. By
having focus on time management skills the work activities can be managed in accurate form as
per the necessity (Watts and et al., 2007). Tasks can be completed in less time consumption
which will have direct positive impact on the morale of individual. It is also advantageous for
better productivity for sustainable development. Leadership skills will provide learning about
team management and its significance in operational activities. If leadership skills are well
developed then manager can easily allocate activities to members (Adams, 2014). Satisfaction
among workforce can also be enforced by having improved focus on leadership style and skills
development. Number of issues in regard to team management can also be overcome effectively.
TASK 3
3.1 Fulfil specified requirement of placement conforming to all related codes of practices
As per the detailed study, in order to meet the specified requirement of the placement, it
is significant for managers to have ensurement in regard to the codes of practices. It has been
noticed that the specific requirement is considered as most essential section while conducting a
placement activities. Time management must be referred as key code of practices because it
allows to have effective accomplishment. It is also necessary to make sure that the equal
opportunities is being provided to workforce (Riebe and et al., 2010). It is beneficial to have
advancement in own skills and knowledge. It is also necessary to make sure that the workforce
is having contribution in activities so that goals and objectives can be accomplished in desired
form. It is also one of critical aspect to make sure that the employees are having high ratio of
communication with management so that issues can be identified in appropriate manner.
Legislation established by the governing authorities must be followed in order to meet the goals
and objectives (Leat, 2012). Furthermore, new procedure can be adopted by the management of
Thomas Cook PLC to provide training among workforce. On job training will also provide an
ability to have interaction with employees so that issues can be identified effectively.
3.2 Systematic records of challenges work experience undertaken
In order to have effective understanding of the challenges, it is necessary for management
of Thomas Cook PLC to have systematic recording of activities. It is beneficial to gain better
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work based experience and ensure that decisions are taken in appropriate manner. There are
various methods that can be adopted by the business firm in order to have systematic recording
of information. Log book is considered as systematic technique that will assist the learners in
recording their gained experience. With an assistance of this, the day to day activities can be
record in systematic manner (Holbeche, 2009). It will also allow members to have effective
identification of issue that an individual faces in operational activities. By analysing the recorded
information the manager can easily determine the ways to overcome issue so that business can
have better success.
Spreadsheet is most commonly used technique that helps in recording of information. It is
considered as processed data format that holds information and allow manager to evaluate key
aspects in appropriate manner. Information can be in regard to supplier, employee, customer, etc.
so that operational effectiveness can be improved in order to meet goals and objectives
(Whittaker, 2011). In this regard it is also necessary to make sure that the spreadsheet can not be
modified any third party. It means the authorization to access must be allocated to the limited
individuals.
3.3 Revise the initial plan
It has been noticed that the initial plan was designed in order to have improvement in
time management skills so that work can be accomplished in appropriate manner. Its key motive
was to have improvement in skills and knowledge of manager of Thomas Cook PLC. After
implementation of plan, it has been realised that the supervisor need to revise the initial plan for
long term goals accomplishment. The review of activities is essential along with that monitoring
also need to be improved in order to boost the performance (Whittaker, 2011).
With an improved focus on revision of the initial plan, the goal of sustainable
development can be achieved in desired form. It is necessary for individual to ensure that the
learning skills are listed as per the needs of the employees. It will enhance the skills and provide
better opportunities in the market (Davies, 2013). Now the individual will focuses on the
different skills that need to be develop so they can perform their job effectively. Some other
skills are leadership skills, problem solving skills etc.
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3.4 Suggestions for improvement
As per the detailed analysis there are number of issues that an individual may face in
regard to operational activities. In this respect, it is necessary for management to have
improvement in skills by adopting new tactics and strategies. It is significant for management of
Thomas Cook PLC to have advancement in learning power by having effective selection of
learning styles. There are number of learning styles that can be adopted by the manager in order
to have improvement in learning aspects (Capistrano, 2013). Classification of styles can be as
kinesthetic, visual and audio learning. For example, the manager is facing issue in regard to
communication, then management can focus on video presentation for improvement in skills.
Presentation will provide detailing about communication and its significance to the
operational activities. It will enhance the skills of manager and provide better opportunities to the
business. In order to have effective recording and analysis the business firm need to have
adaptation of various technological tools. It will enhance the work performance of employees by
assisting them in appropriate manner (Sarcone, 2008). Use of MIS (management information
system) is beneficial to have effective collection of information so that strategies can be designed
in appropriate manner. New ways to have improvement in the time management strategies can
also be accomplished so that goals and objectives can be meet in easy manner.
TASK 4
4.1 Monitor progress against the original proposal
As per the detailed analysis, the monitoring is considered as one of most essential section
which helps in effective evaluation of implemented activities. Monitoring provides a great level
of assistance to the measurement of success factors that relates with the original development
plan. With an assistance of this, the quality standards can also be analysed in appropriate manner.
In other aspect, monitoring the manager progress will assist in distinguishing and determining
the skills and abilities that must be strengthen to achieve the stated objectives of the hotel that is
to satisfy the customers. It has been identified that the development of skills is beneficial to have
better success in the market (Marquis, 2009). This is because the skills improvement facilitates in
identification of customer needs and design strategies in appropriate manner. Advancement in
the communication skills helps in taking feedback and review from the members in regard to the
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implemented plan. If employees have better level of satisfaction in respect to plan then it means
the plan is implemented in appropriate which provides better opportunities to the business
(Sarcone, 2008).
In order to have effective monitoring the management can also have focus on observation
of outcomes so that progress against original proposal can be evaluated in appropriate manner.
For example, the business firm has implemented time management strategies to have
improvement in time management skills. With an observation of activities, it has been noticed
that the time consumption on the task has reduced (Capistrano, 2013). It clearly indicates that the
original proposal has implemented in appropriate manner which provide sustainable
development.
4.2 Evaluate quality of own performance
Quality is considered as one of most essential aspect that need to be consider by the
businesses in order to have long termed development. Improvement in quality is also beneficial
for better customer satisfaction because it attracts more and more customer in order to meet goals
and objectives. Being a manager at Thomas Cook PLC, it is significant for individual to make
sure that he or she is working as per industrial standards so that goals and objectives can be
accomplished in desired form. If members are performing activities as per standards then quality
of service will be improved which is advantageous for better customer satisfaction (Davies,
2013). For example, the UK government has framed a standard that the pricing of tour plan must
be according to features provided in the pack. It will force management of Thomas Cook PLC to
have change in pricing strategy as per the standards in order to meet goals and objectives.
Another example can be that the industrial authorities has decided that personal information of
customer will not be shared with any kind of third party (Whittaker, 2011). It means the Thomas
Cook PLC need to ensure about it so that better protection can be provided to customers. It will
provide better customer satisfaction and lead business to impressive level of success.
Feedbacks can also be taken from the customers as well as supervisor in order to have
improvement in service quality. With an assistance of this, weakness can be identified in
appropriate manner and new strategies can be designed in order to meet goals and objectives.
Positive comments provided by the supervisor will enhance individual motivation level and helps
in having efforts more effectively.
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4.3 The learning which has take during the work experience using suitable reflections
In order to have effective learning, it is necessary for individual to have effective
development of diverse skills that can boost work experience. Interpersonal skills are considered
as key section that have direct impact on the performance. While having an operations at Thomas
Cook PLC the individual must have development of interpersonal skills so that activities can be
performed in appropriate manner. With an assistance of this, the employees can also have proper
interaction with customers and provide them services in appropriate manner. It is also
advantageous to build better relationship with customers and supervisor so that better career
opportunities can be identified (Holbeche, 2009).
Other than this, problem solving skills facilitates in overcome number of issues that
impacts overall development in negative manner. I have noticed that the new strategies can be
designed in order to have long term development and ensure that the issues can be resolved
effectively. It also facilitates in handling number of conflict situation so that goals and objectives
can be overcome in desired manner (Leat, 2012). Team work is also beneficial for the
organisation because it allows to have accomplishment of activities in easy manner.
4.4 Recommendations in how the experience could have been enhanced
As per the detailed study, it can be said that in order to have better work based
experience, it is necessary for management of Thomas Cook PLC to focus on alternative
strategies. In addition to this, the work based training can be provided to the managers by having
a transfer of manager at different locations. It will allow to have working in different areas with
various people who have different needs. It clearly indicates that to enhance the experience of the
manager they must be transferred to the totally different location among the new people. It will
provide better experience to the employees in order to meet goals and objectives.
Use of participative techniques is also beneficial because it allows to have better
communication with members so that goals and objectives can be accomplished in appropriate
manner. It has been noticed that the communication with supervisor will allow to identify
strength and weakness (Leat, 2012). It will assist in effective designing of strategies and leads
business to impressive level of success.
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CONCLUSION
As per the above study, it can be concluded that in order to attain better experience the
professionals need to focus on effective development at work place. With an improved focus on
different skills the knowledge and ability of employees can be improved in optimistic manner. In
order to have sustainable development the management of team members and work allocation
need to be consider in effective manner. It is necessary for management of Thomas Cook PLC to
have effective identification of employees needs so that limitations can be resolved effectively.
Management need to provide training to the employees in regard to job.
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REFERENCES
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Organization science. 22(5). pp 1123-1137.
Boud, D., Cohen, R. and Sampson, J., 2014. Peer learning in higher education: Learning from
and with each other. Routledge.
Capistrano, S. P. E., 2013. Process quality and collaboration quality on B2B e-commerce.
Industrial Management & Data Systems. 113 (6). pp.908 – 926.
Davies, R., 2013. Emerging ethical perspectives of e-commerce. Journal of Information,
Communication and Ethics in Society. 1(1). pp.39 – 48.
Henderson., 2015. Compensation Management in a Knowledge - based World. Pearson
Education India.
Holbeche, L., 2009. Aligning Human Resources and Business Strategy. Routledge.
Leat, M., 2012. Exploring Employee Relations. Routledge.
Marquis, L. B., 2009. Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing: Theory and
Application. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins..
Riebe, L. and et al., 2010. Teamwork: effectively teaching an employability skill. Education +
Training. 52 (6/7). pp.528 – 539.
Ruysseveldt, J., 2014. International Human Resource Management. SAGE. Werner, S., 2008.
Global Compensation: Foundations and Perspectives. Routledge.
Sarcone, M. D., 2008. Exploring Organizational Purpose, Functions, and Structures: A Case
Study of a Community Health Foundation as Community Partner. ProQuest.
Savery, J. R., 2015. Overview of problem-based learning: Definitions and distinctions. Essential
Readings in Problem-Based Learning: Exploring and Extending the Legacy of Howard S.
Barrows. pp 5.
Watts, G. R. and et al., 2007. A guide to global virtual teaming. Team Performance
Management: An International Journal. 13(1/2). pp.47 – 52.
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